OT: Opposite of Vasectomy Thread

[katfsh]

Those first couple nights if still in the hospital, don't be ashamed to let the young'un stay in the nursery and not your room.
You have the rest of the kids life, make sure mom gets her rest before heading home, because there will be no rest there. To back up what shmuley said never never wake a kid to feed it!

 

[Sutterkane]

Here's my advice that can get you through the first almost 6 months:

When they are crying they want one of 4 things:
-boob
-changed (do this like hourly almost)
-gas drops/gripe water(they are very different but both help)
-swaddled. This is a big one early on. If nothing else works, sometimes they want that constricted "in mommy" feeling. If you can't get the blankets to work, use one of the swaddle sacks they sell at the store. They're 30 bucks but worth it.

Sex:
-Your wife will be cleared to play after 6 weeks. As a sports analogy, we also know that "cleared to play" can also mean actually playing probably still hurts like hell. Wait 8 weeks.

My last bit of advice:
Everyone will try and give you advice. Take all of the advice you can, but take it with a grain of salt. You both have instincts on how to raise your child better than anyone.

 

[johnson86-1]

Good news, Pack! There's a 12th Eagle Fan coming soon! After an unfortunate miscarriage a few months ago, my wife has informed me that she is knocked up. It will be our first child. My question for the Pack is this... What's something that you wish someone had told you about fatherhood? It can be a practical tip, observation, funny anecdote, whatever. I am 30, she's 28, we both work, and are by no means rich, but financially comfortable. Pretty pumped today, guys.

11thEagleFan, check your pm. The secret to parenting lies within. Or at least maybe some some info that will help you pass the minimum standards enforced by Child Protective Services.

 

[seshomoru]

Google Febrile Seizures so you're ready just in case.

That **** is not in the baby manual and it was the most frightening 15 seconds of my life... and some of them last 15 minutes.

Get Gas Drops & a Diaper Genie (pull up and back through). Every kid gets gas and every kid's **** smells vile.

All the other stuff is just figuring it out, because every kid is completely different. Raise the one you have, not the one you want. Ask every question you can think of (even if it sounds stupid) and listen to your Pediatrician. They've been around a lot more kids than any of us have.

 

[11thEagleFan]

Thanks for the lists, they have been printed out. It's incredible the amount of stuff that you need, and the things you need that you'd never even consider. It can definitely create some anxiety. Much appreciated.

 

[bsquared24]

1. Never let them sleep in your bed, you will have to fight like he'll to get them back out.

2. Take advantage of a horny as hell pregnant wife, its fun and it will be very scarce for a while after the baby arrives.

 

[Digging dog]

I've heard it and I'll repeat it. "They grow up fast". Enjoy it all (sleepless nights too). You'll find that life is full of stages that almost never repeat.
"A man should never neglect his family for business" - Walt Disney
Congrats!!!

 

[ByersFarm]

Absolutely use the nursery in the hospital. Don't believe what anyone tells you about sleep. We got more sleep after each of our son's births that we did during the pregnancies. When they get sleepy, put them in their crib. Teach them that the crib is the place to sleep. Select a schedule for sleeping and feeding and stick to it. Both of mine were sleeping through the night by the first week. Don't pressure your wife to breast feed. Some moms and some babies have trouble. Be supportive to what she wants to do, millions of kids have been raised on formula. A positive side to formula is knowing exactly how much your kid is eating. Knowing this allows you to stretch their feeding times and train them to take bigger meals. Which, in turn lets them sleep longer. Don't worry about what people tell you that your child should be doing by a certain age. They all progress differently. You're life is about to get very busy. Enjoy it! It certainly worth the price of admission.

 

[Original48]

Do not run the name your thinking of by ANYONE...including in-laws. If you do, that conversation will take on a life of its own and you will not be a part of it. My wife wanted to share what we were thinking about naming our first born. I told her it was a bad idea. We ran one of our possibilities by her parents (who were under the influence) and we ended up in a huge argument. We tried again with a group of friends and ended up not being able to get a word in edge wise. Y'all come up with the name. And don't tell anyone. And congrats!

 

[BulldogBlitz]

I named my first son after Everett Kennard.


heh. Wife thinks I randomly came up with "Everett"

 

[EurekaDog]

I knew a lot more about parenting before I had kids...and then I had 4. (NM)

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