wassups everyonez,

been mia from meets and here for awhile (other then work), but as you can see from my thread title thats the reason why...my wife is 5mths + a few weeks pregnant...found out last week that its gonna be a girl!

so all the dads, moms, uncles, aunts or whomevers...got ne advice on newborns and raising alil girl....

i know i can count on quite a few of you to be over at my house equipped with some extra "persuasive" gear when she brings home her first GUY..lol...

thanks everyone for the advice!

daniel

 

spoil the crap outta her

 

just the best advice i ever received. dont kill your self trying to over plan. do what comes natural and roll with the punches. you will never and i mean never be 100% prepared for what can happen and what might happen. your no good to anyone if you cant ever take care of yourself and or run yourself into the ground.

and NEVER comment on what wierd nastyass food she puts in her mouth nor make her tell you shes hungry. if she has to tell you shes hungry your on your to a ear full. keep snacks and water handy at all times. better yet get yourself a small dorm sized fridge for the bedroom. you will thank me when its 2am and shes wants something cold to drink and or a otter pop.

 

so does this mean part out?!!@

sorry, I have nothing useful to contribute. and I'm drunk.

 

Congrat and get plenty of sleep before she comes. First month there will be lots of sleepless nights so learn to nap when baby naps.

 

I don't have any advice for you, but congrats on the daughter and good luck.

 

Congrats
have a fan on while she's sleeping as it decreases chances of SIDS
don't let her watch tv during the 1st 2 yrs or it will increase odds of ADHD
good luck!

 

really? Does this also apply to educational shows for kids like Barney, Sesame Street, etc?

Back to the OP - first of all CONGRAT's! Lot's of people will offer advice on how to take care of your kid. I'll give some advice on taking care of you and your wife - You're both going to be VERY tired all the time. Don't take it out on each other and do not compare your days and who did what, etc (she will always win).

Be good to her. Remind her all the time that you love her and that you are thankful for her and your new daughter.
Help out with the baby as much as possible. Learn to do all the things she does as it will truly give you an idea of how much your wife does.
Go on walks together with the stroller and hold her hand.
Give her the occasional "girls night out" to hang out with her friends and you watch your daughter.

Be happy no matter what. Good luck and take care.

 

Yep even educational shows are meant for older toddlers. Babies under 2 can't focus on fast pace tv shows & it messes them up.

 

crap....she was right Although my daughter is now 20-months and she has been watching Barney and Sesame Street for more than a few months - she seems to focus pretty good and dances to the songs and points out certain things on the screen (like cars and dogs).

 

Just wanted to say congrats, not a father but I'm looking forward to the day that I will be one.

 

You should get her started in fighting from a young age that way as she gets older she will be crazy at it and you won't have a need to be persuasive to boys she brings home and you can show off your baby daughters wicked round house to all of your friends lol. No genuine good advice but congrats man ... and a round housing baby might land you on oprah and get you some free stuff. I'll just leave you with that bit of info

 

I NEVER watched TV and I a have add.

There are books and theories on everything in regards to raising a baby. And opinions about everything. I have a 6 month old girl.

My only real world advice is...

Sleep when she sleeps.
Get a very comfortable carrier or You will never have hands free. I got a biorne the wife got a moby.
Test fit baby seats as our cars have less room than you think.
Get a mirror for the seat in the car. I'm a freak and panic when she gets super quiet and I can't see her.
If you get a monitor get a good one and go video.
Don't let your wife go clothes nuts. Its a waste. We seriously have a bucket of clothes she wore maybe once if at all.
Get a massive dedicated external hard drive for baby photos and videos.

 

As a father of two girls (now 8 and 5), I can give you a ton of tips. However, with any advice that you get from people; it's up to you and your wife to do what is right for your family. I'll just touch on a few topics:

1) Breast feed if she can. This pillow is essential. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...paign=shopping The strap keeps the pillow in place. Also you save a ton of money with formula.

If your wife needs a pump, get a Medela (you can buy a used pump, but just new attachments). They are pricey but the only one that works.

2) clothes, for the first couple of years. Don't go crazy, it's a waste of money and they will out grow them faster than they can wear them.

3) take lots of pictures and videos

4) Communicate with them, read and talk to them. DO NOT dummy down (aka baby talk) to them. If you do, you are teaching them the wrong words and later on they will have relearn.

5) As you are getting gifts, think practical. Get a travel bag that has mat attached like this one.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...paign=shopping

You don't need a rock chair, bottle cleaners, etc. You need a good stroller with an infant attachment (an extra base if you have more than one car), a good diaper bucket so it won't stink your house) I'm sure you have a crib already. Like someone said test fit all of this stuff, even the crib.

6) TV, limit TV. If you have to let her watch TV, let her watch videos. This way you control what she watches and intervals for the interruptions.

There is much more but I'll add later.

 

never said watching TV was the only factor in getting ADHD. it does increase the odds though.

a mother's use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy may increase the risk for ADHD. Some studies suggest that exposure to lead may cause symptoms associated with ADHD

so yea, many more factors than just watching tv