New Baby!

[hazardous*racin]

Can someone tell me how to prepare the best for my upcoming child? It's going to be hard and i know that but i need all kinds of advice. Thanks

[2genCRX]

NEVER SHAKE A BABY!!!!!

[asianjkim]

NEVER SHAKE A BABY!!!!!
Couldn't of put it any better.

[stu]

Sign up for some websites and read some books. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," and "What to Expect The First Year," are GREAT books, but I wouldn't read them cover to cover. Just use them as more of a reference guide for when you need them. How old are you? 110% of your efforts right now should be spent saving money, and making sure that the mother of your child is comfortable and secure, both in her surroundings, and yourself.

[Denkigroove]

Sign up for some websites and read some books. "What to Expect When You're Expecting," and "What to Expect The First Year," are GREAT books, but I wouldn't read them cover to cover. Just use them as more of a reference guide for when you need them. How old are you? 110% of your efforts right now should be spent saving money, and making sure that the mother of your child is comfortable and secure, both in her surroundings, and yourself.

there is no real way to prepare unless you have a lot of money. all those did for me was scare me and make me move to colorado in fear lol but they did help in a way

remember up until they are 6 months old they always need something beyond that is when you need to figure out what is an i need you cry and a i want you cry.

you look at where your son should be developement-wise. when he should be off the bottle (i took mine off at 1 year when i see others still having them at 3years + and have crooked or rotten teeth as a direct result)

sippy cups are bad, teaching them to use the straw is much easier and more natural than a sippy cup anyways and its better for their teeth.

never shake a baby

treat them how you would want to be treated, but make sure discipline is there of course so they dont walk all over you. one thing that bugs me is when people talk to their kids like they would a dog yelling "NO!" when i remember my dad would lecture me and i would have preferred those over a real ass beating and they had a better effect since im an adult now and can see it (even though i did get it when i deserved it)

dont freak out!!! best thing, is to feel in control, make your house/apartment baby proof (you see my apt there is nothing 4ft up from the ground)

walking is easier to watch i dont care what everyone else says when my son was only crawling i was tired all of the time, also try to develope good sleeping habits - HOW YOU PUT THEM TO SLEEP.... i see some people rocking their kids and giving them a bottle to goto sleep (this is horrible to do as well, bottle mouth, tooth decay, gum decay etc) when they are old enough (6 mo's +) its better they put themselves to sleep in a way, you say when its bedtime just like you say when to eat and he determines how much he eats.

get off formula at 12 months no earlier unless of course your doc says so, breastfeeding is always a plus (makes the mommies boobies bigger too, among many more important things :))

the list goes on

[stu]

Good advice, but not all of those will work for every baby.

Don't ever worry about spoiling your baby before they learn to figure out cause and effect. If a baby is crying for attention, you give the baby attention. Infants are just not developed enough to be spoiled. When your kid starts throwing things on the floor, just to get a reaction out of you, that's when you should start laying down some rules and limits, so your baby isn't getting things he doesn't need just because he is crying.

[Denkigroove]

Good advice, but not all of those will work for every baby.

Don't ever worry about spoiling your baby before they learn to figure out cause and effect. If a baby is crying for attention, you give the baby attention. Infants are just not developed enough to be spoiled. When your kid starts throwing things on the floor, just to get a reaction out of you, that's when you should start laying down some rules and limits, so your baby isn't getting things he doesn't need just because he is crying.

oh yeah definitally

i saw a kid at the park that had an on and off cry switch

[doogie06]

We just recently took our "Parents to be" class at the hospital, it was a good class, kind of touched on everything...may want to give that a whirl.

[i drive crap]

advice from a friend of mine: buy diapers. LOTS of em. He said he wished he had started stocking up as soon as they found our his wife was pregnant, to avoid the midnight trips to 7-11.

[Deceptakhan]

advice from a friend of mine: buy diapers. LOTS of em. He said he wished he had started stocking up as soon as they found our his wife was pregnant, to avoid the midnight trips to 7-11.

There is no way to avoid those midnight trips to McDonalds because wifee is craving some fries.

[Mario]

advice from a friend of mine: buy diapers. LOTS of em. He said he wished he had started stocking up as soon as they found our his wife was pregnant, to avoid the midnight trips to 7-11.

Mmmmm... I disagree with that. Buying diapers from Costco avoids that problem. But the worst is if you have a bunch of diapers left over when the kid grows and is in the next diaper size. Really... just when you have 10-20 diapers left, then you should be at the store buying some.

*edit*

10-20 being like... procrastinating. You should buy more diapers before then lol.

[Deceptakhan]

Mmmmm... I disagree with that. Buying diapers from Costco avoids that problem. But the worst is if you have a bunch of diapers left over when the kid grows and is in the next diaper size. Really... just when you have 10-20 diapers left, then you should be at the store buying some.

*edit*

10-20 being like... procrastinating. You should buy more diapers before then lol.

Lol, when you are down to a box full is when more diapers are needed. No rashes = frequent changes, so you would be surprised how quick you can go through a 144 diaper box. Also, my kid went from the smallest to a 4 in 8 monthes, and we did end up giving diapers away to other parents beacause those damn kids grow so quick. But baby wipes oin the other hand...

[Deceptakhan]

And get some booty before the no booty deadline! Its going to be a long, cold drought man.

[john]

I have 2 teenagers now, and we raised them on minimal money/income.

My only advice is this: breastfeed your baby. You will know why once you do.

Also - use cloth diapers. Why add more to the landfills with disposable diapers? It's more work, but worth it in the long run.

And - enjoy your new addition. That's the easy part. :)

[stu]

We haven't run out of diapers yet. In fact, we're stock up on all the ones she has out grown to give to new parents (Barb and Tobi).

I'm going to start a parenting tips sticky one of these days.

[MrsGhandi]

If you know the due date, go to www.babycenter.com and sign up for the weekly updates. They'll send you a weekly email on what's happening (generally) in that week. It's pretty helpful. Since the kid isn't here yet, I don't feel smart enough to give you advice...other than really spoil your wife/girlfriend. She'll need all the positive reinforcement she can get :)

Oh, and someone found a shirt at spencers that is really cute..."Touch the belly, lose your hand" -- now that I have a "bump" complete strangers feel the need to come up and touch me...it's creepy.

[phantomb17]

You're having a kid Brad? That's cool but surprising. So young. GL with everything Buddy!

[Tranquility]

If you know the due date, go to www.babycenter.com and sign up for the weekly updates. They'll send you a weekly email on what's happening (generally) in that week. It's pretty helpful. Since the kid isn't here yet, I don't feel smart enough to give you advice...other than really spoil your wife/girlfriend. She'll need all the positive reinforcement she can get :)

Oh, and someone found a shirt at spencers that is really cute..."Touch the belly, lose your hand" -- now that I have a "bump" complete strangers feel the need to come up and touch me...it's creepy.

I LOVE babycenter I still use it as resource for lots of random stuff and love the monthly newsletters I still get and I have a 7 year old. You should totally get the shirt. I hated people touching my belly and I think creepy is an understatement.