5 Most Common Blunders By New Dads

New dads face many challenges. And often new dads make mistakes as they experience fatherhood. Here are the mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Bringing baby to a fancy restaurant.

There are some places a baby doesn't belong. One of those places is a formal, special occasion restaurant.

Yes, you're entitled to a night out to a fancy restaurant. And no one is suggesting otherwise. We're saying to get a babysitter or relative to care for your little one, and leave him or her at home. If you can afford a fancy restaurant, you can spring for the extra $30 for a sitter.

Restaurant patrons are expecting a quiet, calm and enjoyable night out. Many of them are parents, too. And they spent the money to get a sitter for their children. The last thing they want to hear is a screaming child--especially one that's not theirs.

If you want to take your infant child to dinner with you, go to Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday's or other family-friendly restaurant. Preferably, one that is loud, filled with children and packed with parents who are expecting to see children.

2. Letting baby cry in public.

It's your responsibility to take charge of the situation. And it is not acceptable to allow your young one to scream or cry uncontrollably in public--especially in church, synagogues and restaurants.

Yes, babies cry. And if you're able to calm your little one quickly, great. If not, you need to remove your baby and yourself from the situation and go somewhere where you can calm down the baby.

3. Leaving the house without a bottle.

You run out of the house and forget a bottle. There's a lot to pack when caring for a newborn. All this is new to you. This happens more often then you might think. Hopefully, dads who do this are not too far from home or discover it before the baby gets hungry.

We'd suggest waiting a few years to let your spouse know about this one!

4. Leaving the house without diapers/wipes.

Similar to leaving the house without a bottle, many dads forget to pack or refill diapers and wipes. This can be a very aggravating and messy mistake.

If this happens to you, seek out another dad or mom with a child about the same age. That's pretty easy to do if you're at the mall. Most parents are more than happy to share diapers and wipes. Chances are, they've been there, too.

5. Never taking time alone with the baby.

No new dad or mom is perfect. We all make mistakes. But by far the biggest mistake you could make as a new dad is never taking time alone with your newborn.

Yes, it can be an adventure going out alone with a little one. Know that every new parent, dad or mom, has been where you are and that it gets easier each time.