The arrival of a newborn is, to put it very mildly, a life-changing moment. The adjustments that follow take months, years, and sometimes decades, which is why, appropriately, hundreds of thousands of women in the U.S. take advantage of maternity leave offers after giving birth, essentially getting a jump on the all-important bonding process. On dad’s end, though, things can be a little more confusing. What is paternity leave? How long does paternity leave usually last? And are there even laws about paternity leave in the US?

That’s why Fatherly put together this guide to navigating the oft-confusing and always changing world of paternity leave. We’ve talked to policy experts, workplace researchers, and regular parents who have actually been through the whole thing about paternity leave pay, talking to your boss about paternity leave, getting ready to return to work after paternity leave, and more — everything you need to give your newborn the attention they deserve.