I'm going to be a dad.
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SneakyStephan
Banned
Cherish the short period of peace from where the baby starts sleeping through the entire night (and still sleeps a lot in general) upto where it learns to crawl.
My only experience with infants is from a 15 year younger brother (lots of diaper changes and bottle feedings and babysitting) and the initial months and then from age 1.5-3 you get basically NO rest.
Can't look away for a second once they can crawl up until they are old enough to understand what they can't touch/eat/put in their mouth/open up/throw/play with. It's exhausting.
My only experience with infants is from a 15 year younger brother (lots of diaper changes and bottle feedings and babysitting) and the initial months and then from age 1.5-3 you get basically NO rest.
Can't look away for a second once they can crawl up until they are old enough to understand what they can't touch/eat/put in their mouth/open up/throw/play with. It's exhausting.
Spoiled Milk
Banned
You're going to be a great dad! Just remember that you love them! Sometimes you will forget.
Mango Positive
Member
I'm 5 weeks in. So far so good. I remember barely being able to function if I only got 5 hours of sleep. Now a tight 5 feels like I'm spoiled. You get used to it. So far, Miles' indoctrination into Radiohead and Phish fandom is going swimmingly.
The Lamonster
Member
Here's my words of wisdom:
-A last-minute c-section might actually be a blessing in disguise.
-Don't feel bad if you don't instantly fall in love with the baby. Bonding takes time.
-The first month is going to be hell. No, seriously, it's going to be worse than you realize.
-It starts to get fun when they can smile, around 2-4 months.
source: I have a 7-month-old daughter.
-A last-minute c-section might actually be a blessing in disguise.
-Don't feel bad if you don't instantly fall in love with the baby. Bonding takes time.
-The first month is going to be hell. No, seriously, it's going to be worse than you realize.
-It starts to get fun when they can smile, around 2-4 months.
source: I have a 7-month-old daughter.
HammerOfThor
Member
Congrats OP!
Our first kid is due in three weeks!!! I'm freaking out. We don't even have a stroller or car seat yet
Our first kid is due in three weeks!!! I'm freaking out. We don't even have a stroller or car seat yet
Awesome advice. You expect the movie feeling of being head over heels from the first second. As a dad, that didn't really happen. Now, my daughter is 12 months old and I get sad when she falls asleep because I want to play with her more!
Risible
Member
"Some guy just posted about how excited he is for his upcoming child, time for me to make that abortion joke!"
I had my kids around the same age. Just realize that it's going to be tough physically at first, between the lack of sleep and the emotional side of things.
Other than that it's a blast. Have fun and do your best, that's all any of us can do. I'm a complete fucking idiot and raised three awesome kids, I'm sure you'll do even better!
Don't listen to anyone's advice too closely. Everyone's experience will obviously be different. We had a very easy time right form the beginning with our first child, not as much for our second child. My wife stayed at home following the birth of our children. She would go to bed after an evening feeding to get some sleep while I gamed and cradled our son. Once he got hungry she got up and I went to bed. We also never did the early bedtime thing (until school age).
Marty Chinn
Member
You mean the smell of buttered popcorn.
Don't be quiet when the baby is sleeping. Vacuum and do normal things you would do if the kid was awake. It makes life easier when they can fall asleep without having the world dead silent.
Just from personal experience: Use everyone's negativity as personal motivation. I had friends rag on me that my life is over, I am going to be boring etc. etc. I started eating better, worked out more and i am now in really good shape (more so then my single full of freedom friends.) Having a kid you realize how much time you wasted on pointless things and you can still get everything you want to do as well as be a father.
Just from personal experience: Use everyone's negativity as personal motivation. I had friends rag on me that my life is over, I am going to be boring etc. etc. I started eating better, worked out more and i am now in really good shape (more so then my single full of freedom friends.) Having a kid you realize how much time you wasted on pointless things and you can still get everything you want to do as well as be a father.
FUCK my curiosity.
shinobi602
Member
Indrid Cold1
Member
This is possibly my favourite gaf post ever, from yet another "I'm having a baby" thread. Never thought I would ever have to search this site for the quote "wash her asshole". This guy who wrote this is my fucking hero. Do all this OP and you will be golden.
Wash her asshole! OMG I am dead.
ImpalingNarwhal
Member
Congratulations! By all accounts, it's a good time.
Megalosaro
Banned
I'm never going to know this feeling.
It's kind of sad.
It's kind of sad.
There's always adoption if you cannot conceive. A lot of children need homes.
You may not even need to clean anyone's asshole.
The Lamonster
Member
Great post from a legendary thread, but don't forget that the guy later got divorced and the consensus was that he was actually an asshole because of how much he bitched at her for needing to lose weight after the pregnancy.
Also "warm up lotion in the microwave" what the hell
Enjoy your sleep and freedom. There's two sides to every coin!
Except, hopefully, Megalosaro's asshole.
Congrats OP and everyone else expecting. Kids and family are the true meaning of life. Not that you can't have a happy and fulfilling life without them but once you look your baby in the eyes everything makes sense. I just turned 36 and have a 12,10, and 5 year old. Live in the moment and enjoy each and every day.
Congrats, OP! It's gonna be fine, dude. Husband and I have a 2 year-old and a 2 week-old.
You still have fun, you still get to play games, and yeah, you still get to sleep in sometimes. Don't worry about it. Be chill, set a routine as best you can, and remember that as long as you're keeping them healthy and happy, you're golden.
You still have fun, you still get to play games, and yeah, you still get to sleep in sometimes. Don't worry about it. Be chill, set a routine as best you can, and remember that as long as you're keeping them healthy and happy, you're golden.
Megalosaro
Banned
The fundamental issue is more a mixture of my own immaturity and also my lack of future economic prospects.
The Shadow
Member
Honestly, I think stuff like this is what separates awful dads from good ones. Your worry and anxiety means that you care about his or her well-being, and that'll go a long way.
My only tip for you is to go on a road trip with your wife. Do all the things you'd like to do together now while you can because once your baby is here, it'll never be just you and your wife anymore and it's really hard to have that extended alone time again. Not until they're older.
Afro Thunder
Member
My baby girl is due in ten days. I'm so happy and so emotional.
Mossybrew
Banned
My daughter (first child) was born a week ago today. It's an absolutely amazing experience, but this first week has been rough. My wife had to have a c-section so I basically have to on all the time. Normally this isn't a big deal, but the sleep deprivation is real. I could literally close my eyes right now and fall asleep for 6 to 8 hours if I were able.
That's really the only tough part, though, and I'm sure it will get better eventually. It's truly an exciting time.
That's really the only tough part, though, and I'm sure it will get better eventually. It's truly an exciting time.
BFIB
Member
Congrats OP!
I'm a proud father of a 15 month old girl named Josephine. Some great advice in this thread, but I'd also like to offer one more.
Sleep schedules. Me and my wife rotated 4 hr shifts at night, and that seemed to help us out over the first few months. At first, its feedings every 2 hrs or so, so having a schedule for the overnight hrs was a nice way of doing things. Yes, you don't sleep as much, but 4 hrs guaranteed is better than nothing. And once you figure out your kids schedule for naps, post on Facebook, text, anything to NOT disturb you during so and so hrs, as that is your childs naptime. No unnanounced visits either. Trust me, keeping that schedule goes a long way.
It is all very very true, isn't it.
First, congrats OP!
Dad of a 2.5 year old checking in here to tell you that you'll need to remind yourself constantly that fatherhood is a learning process that you might struggle with daily.
I'm getting new challenges thrown at me constantly, and this tiny person is pushing me to grow in new areas that I've long neglected. I've been forced to deal with my temper and pirate mouth, I've had to get over my fear of blood, etc...
You can always leave the room to take a deep breath and come back.
Some days will feel crushingly overwhelming, and that's OK. You'll be new at this, and you'll find your way. You'll open your eyes, and your kid will be 6 months older than you visualize them as, and you'll wonder where the time is going.
Enjoy the small moments as much as you can, and really ENGAGE. If you're playing with them, put the phone away, turn the TV off, etc. Look into their eyes, talk to them constantly, and form that bond.
Holding that little hand and feeling him squeeze back is just one of the smallest gestures and biggest thrills I've had in this life.
Dad of a 2.5 year old checking in here to tell you that you'll need to remind yourself constantly that fatherhood is a learning process that you might struggle with daily.
I'm getting new challenges thrown at me constantly, and this tiny person is pushing me to grow in new areas that I've long neglected. I've been forced to deal with my temper and pirate mouth, I've had to get over my fear of blood, etc...
You can always leave the room to take a deep breath and come back.
Some days will feel crushingly overwhelming, and that's OK. You'll be new at this, and you'll find your way. You'll open your eyes, and your kid will be 6 months older than you visualize them as, and you'll wonder where the time is going.
Enjoy the small moments as much as you can, and really ENGAGE. If you're playing with them, put the phone away, turn the TV off, etc. Look into their eyes, talk to them constantly, and form that bond.
Holding that little hand and feeling him squeeze back is just one of the smallest gestures and biggest thrills I've had in this life.
Heya my partner and I are expecting with a due date of December. Congrats OP feels great doesn't it. Especially when you see them being so playful in the ultra sound (our boy kept grabbing his toes lol) great advice in this thread as well. I feel like there should be a baby daddy OT lol
This is true .
Its better than you can imagine. Our second one, a boy is on the way in October and the first a girl is turning two next month.
My tip is that you have to give it lots of attention and interact with the baby. You really have to sacrifice your own time and give it to them. That's my advice anyway. They are really cute, and say the craziest things. My girl is the cheekiest kid ever.
My more practical tip is make sure the baby is well fed in the first few days and weeks. We had no idea our baby wasn't drinking enough milk because my wife wasn't making enough. So our baby lost a bit of weight and had to go back to the hospital for a few days. It's kind of disappointing as you want wifey to be home resting. So if you're not making enough naturally from breast feeding, make some from formula.
My tip is that you have to give it lots of attention and interact with the baby. You really have to sacrifice your own time and give it to them. That's my advice anyway. They are really cute, and say the craziest things. My girl is the cheekiest kid ever.
My more practical tip is make sure the baby is well fed in the first few days and weeks. We had no idea our baby wasn't drinking enough milk because my wife wasn't making enough. So our baby lost a bit of weight and had to go back to the hospital for a few days. It's kind of disappointing as you want wifey to be home resting. So if you're not making enough naturally from breast feeding, make some from formula.
| Praxis |
Banned
Thought I would bump this thread instead of making a new one as a lot of us were expecting around the same time. Apologies for the hijack op.
I just returned from the hospital, my wife's water broke tonight, she's only 28 weeks. We rushed to the hospital where they gave her steroid injections (for the babies lungs) and they're keeping her in there until at least Monday. They think she will give birth in the next seven days and then our son will have to spend the next 10 weeks in the intensive care unit.
I have never been so stressed, worried and upset for my wife. It has been a shitty night for sure
I just returned from the hospital, my wife's water broke tonight, she's only 28 weeks. We rushed to the hospital where they gave her steroid injections (for the babies lungs) and they're keeping her in there until at least Monday. They think she will give birth in the next seven days and then our son will have to spend the next 10 weeks in the intensive care unit.
I have never been so stressed, worried and upset for my wife. It has been a shitty night for sure
Skellig Gra
Member
Thought I would bump this thread instead of making a new one as a lot of us were expecting around the same time. Apologies for the hijack op.
I just returned from the hospital, my wife's water broke tonight, she's only 28 weeks. We rushed to the hospital where they gave her steroid injections (for the babies lungs) and they're keeping her in there until at least Monday. They think she will give birth in the next seven days and then our son will have to spend the next 10 weeks in the intensive care unit.
I have never been so stressed, worried and upset for my wife. It has been a shitty night for sure
Stay strong for your wife. Hope all goes well.
metalslimer
Member
Thought I would bump this thread instead of making a new one as a lot of us were expecting around the same time. Apologies for the hijack op.
I just returned from the hospital, my wife's water broke tonight, she's only 28 weeks. We rushed to the hospital where they gave her steroid injections (for the babies lungs) and they're keeping her in there until at least Monday. They think she will give birth in the next seven days and then our son will have to spend the next 10 weeks in the intensive care unit.
I have never been so stressed, worried and upset for my wife. It has been a shitty night for sure
I hope everything works out. The powers of modern medicine are incredible.
XenogearsX
Banned
Thought I would bump this thread instead of making a new one as a lot of us were expecting around the same time. Apologies for the hijack op.
I just returned from the hospital, my wife's water broke tonight, she's only 28 weeks. We rushed to the hospital where they gave her steroid injections (for the babies lungs) and they're keeping her in there until at least Monday. They think she will give birth in the next seven days and then our son will have to spend the next 10 weeks in the intensive care unit.
I have never been so stressed, worried and upset for my wife. It has been a shitty night for sure
My wife's first wasn't born early but had to spend a week in the intensive care unit bc she was born with pneumonia. The nurses are really good now and the technology is amazing if that makes you feel any better.
Got number 2 on the way and that's it for us.
| Praxis |
Banned
Hospital just phoned. My wife is going into labour now, he's coming tonight! Thanks for the best wishes people. Have to go.
H.Protagonist
[-_-]/
Sending good thoughts for all three of you. Keep us updated.
TigerKnee
Member
Eh, I don't get the bad press. We wanted to make we took care of ourselves first before we devoted the rest of our lives taking care of our kids
If that's being selfish, so be it
| Praxis |
Banned
Well, I'm over the moon right now. He was born 4:35am and is apparently healthy as could be comsidering how early he was. There's not much that can prepare you for watching your wife push out a little baby from between her legs lol. He weighs 3.4 pounds and is currently chillin in an incubator. Thanks for the positive thoughts gaf.
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