Originally Posted by carnealse
Yes!!! Congrats!
Do not listen to people who say not to let your kid in the bed. We did, and before he was 16 months he was sleeping the majority of the night, sometimes all the night in his own bed.
Also, you cannot "over-love" your kid. no need to ignore them. They are tiny people who do not know what the heck to make of things in this new scary place. Besides, everything, as you may remember, is a phase with kids.
Breast feeding is great, and sometimes a challenge, but universally known to be the best source of food for the little one. Still its a personal choice, I know.
Sleep when they sleep or you will get a lot less sleep than you used to sleep!
Have as much sex as you can right now...it will be a while before you can have a lot of it again.
Enjoy! The phases start slow, but then all the sudden phases are flying by and you think they are growing too fast. So enjoy every stage they are in, because soon they will be in a new phase.
Take a lot of pictures.
Don't go toy crazy. They really do prefer the box. Avoid annoying repetitive noise toys, you will shoot yourself for it.
If they hate the crib, get a bed and a bed rail. My son went from sleeping with us to sleeping in his bed because the crib was a place he hated.
If you're dad, be dad, change diapers.
Don't name your kid a state, a food, a planet, or anything stupid. Being unique does not always mean it is a good thing.
Don't forget you have a spouse too. The baby will make it seem like they are sucking up the attention. Really, get a friend, have a night out once in a while. Don't worry, the first time you're gone they will be fine. Same with the second time the third time, etc.
And last, do not over react. They fall a lot, bump their heads, hit their shins...remember when you did that? If you take care of their real hurts and down play and do not freak them out when they do bump a head or fall, then they will not freak out either. You'll be able to tell the real cries from the "I startled myself" cries.
Have fun!
Oh yeah, let your kid be themselves. Don't compare or worry about other kids. Every baby grows in their own way and in their own time. Walk late? Who cares, they are content for now and will learn. Talk early? Don't get cocky, they just wanted to talk and they will not want to do something else when other kids do. Its all in their time, and its all good!
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