If you’re an expectant father who works for a company that offers paid paternity leave, you should take it. According to one study, only five percent of working fathers took more than two weeks off after their youngest child was born. Yet there are huge benefits for fathers (and their children) who take advantage of this benefit, including improved relationships with their families.

But what exactly should you do during this time in your baby's life? We look at how to make the most of your paternity leave.

While you may think this is a time for you and your child, it’s also about your partner and giving them the chance to focus on and bond with the newest member of your family. Especially if your partner has had a baby, this is the time to make dinner, do the dishes, do the laundry, and cater to their every need. If you adopted or your child was born via surrogate, this is the time to care for each other and work together. More on that later.

Your baby needs lots of attention, and not just from you and your partner: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends seeing your pediatrician a few days after birth. After that, they should be seen at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months for checkups. Appointments fill up quickly, so call your child’s doctor now to make sure they’re healthy and up to date on their vaccinations later. And if you’re still searching for the right pediatrician, here are some ways to do it.