I'm currently 8 months pregnant with my second, my husband's first baby (we met when my daughter was 2.5 yrs). He has no idea what parenting newborns is like.

My question is: knowing what you know now about newborns, what did you wish someone told/warned/shared with you about newborns and what to expect? What was the one thing you did/wished you did that helped the most in preparing?

And especially for dads, what one thing could I as a mom do for him to make bonding with baby the easiest and best experience possible?

Babies are a shared load, and all are differen't. My first born slept through the night at a young age, the other had colic. Bonding occures as you spend time with the baby, well that the simple version. Play is a big part, as is bath time and other simple things. I guess the simple answer to the question of a dad bonding is he has to invest time with the baby. New borns spend a lot of time trying to bond early on, they look at the parent(allmost a stare) and listen to their voice. my one with colic, even though she was crying while I rocked her every night, never took her eyes off me.

quote:

My question is: knowing what you know now about newborns, what did you wish someone told/warned/shared with you about newborns and what to expect? What was the one thing you did/wished you did that helped the most in preparing?

1 - That babies don't bounce so well on concrete
2 - To not use the family dog as a horse until they are at least 6 months old
3 - That pampers can't be turned inside out and used again

quote:

And especially for dads, what one thing could I as a mom do for him to make bonding with baby the easiest and best experience possible?

1 - Let him do the breast feeding
2 - Make him get up with the baby at night, everytime


Of course I'm just kidding.

It's hard to say what would have been good to know. I think I adapted pretty quickly to the routine and just fell in love with my little girl the day she was born. I guess in my case, finding out about how to set a schedule and get a toddler to sleep without someone having to be in the room (i.e. they start crying rather loudly when left in crib at night) would have helped.

Bonding for me, I don't know when I started this, but I read to her every night. It was the same few books all the time too. I also included her in everything I did. If I had to take a vent cover off, I had her in my lap, helping to hold the screw driver. I always took her wherever I went too, unless it was just a quick out and back.

Hope that helps.

quote:

My question is: knowing what you know now about newborns, what did you wish someone told/warned/shared with you about newborns and what to expect? What was the one thing you did/wished you did that helped the most in preparing

Get as much sleep now as possible..seriously mine didn't sleep through the night till he was 16 months old.

and relax...they are not as fragile as they look. If we were, the humans would have died out long ago.

Not everything needs to be sterilized...you realize this the first time you see them put something totally disgusting..like your shoe..in their mouth and be ok.

boobs..though tempting..they are the baby's..at least for awhile..they will leak and it takes awhile for the body to get back together and it never really looks the same.

you will be a different person and you need to realize your friendships will change.
you friends will rag on you about it, until they have kids and will then tell you , i understand.

have fun!
best of luck to you guys