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Baby on the Way

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You just have to sit back and chill out. Other than the basic safeguards like not lifting huge amount, not doing extreme sports, etc, you don't have to keep her from doing too much. Just be supportive during this time since she's obviously going through some major physical changes.

Once the kid arrives, you will feel overwhelmed just like any new parent does. Just listen to the nurses, take a birthing class if you haven't already, take any classes you can find to give you information about how your life is going to change in 4 months. 🙂

And once the child arrives, enjoy the time when they are small because they get bigger faster than you can imagine.
 
1. Catch up on sleep, you will need it
2. Tell family and friends you want diapers and formula for christmas
3. Stock up on coffee it's your friend
4. Be frugal on baby stuff (it's very temporary)
5. Be prepared to sacrifice and camp out at home with the baby.

The last two are really important, all new parents drag their newborns around alot at first to show them off to friends and relatives etc..., but you will soon find out that taking a newborn pretty much anywhere is a major PITA. Resturants=bad idea, Sporting events=bad idea, even a simple trip to the grocery store becomes much more complicated.

And it seems every parent makes the mistake of over buying clothing, accesories, furniture, etc... for the baby. Just try and keep in mind that they grow very, very fast and most clothing will only last a few outings before its outgrown. And that $700 baby bed and $500 changing table will be garage sale material in 2yrs. Take as many hand-me-downs as you can get, and stay reasonable maybe even second hand on the furniture
 
Originally posted by: iamme
get used of not sleeping. 🙂

don't spend so much time with the minute details, that you don't enjoy the time with your baby.....because they grow up FAST. everytime you look back, you'll laugh at how worried you were and how "hard" you thought things were. (ex: once they start crawling, you realize how easy it was when they were stationary. when they start walking, you realize how easy it was when they were just crawling. when they start talking, you realize how easy it was when they didn't, lol. when they start eating "real" food, you realize how easy it was to just buy formula or buy baby food jars)
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All true but the last one - feeding gets easier as they get older. Breast or bottle-feeding isn't too bad, but few things are harder than trying to get a spoonful of mashed peas into a baby's mouth who would rather grab said peas and fling them across the kitchen! When they finally get to the point that you can just put a plate of chow in front of them, collect an empty plate after 10 minutes, and not have to hose off the child, the dog, and most of the rest of the room, it's nirvana!!
 
Breast Pump (Get the good kind that does both at once)
Lots of baby blankets
Get the special pillow that you wrap around your body, makes it easier to feed the baby..
Rocking Chair
Baby Swing (a must)
Stock up on Caffine

Be prepared to become an emotional tempon for your wife..
Keep a close eye on your wife for any sign of depression after the baby is born..
 
Originally posted by: Coquito
Find a sanctuary in the house & claim it before the baby does.
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There will be NOWHERE that the baby will not go. There is no escape, no sanctuary, nothing.
 
When my first kid was born they had to remind me that I could touch her. It was a weird feeling having the baby finally be born after all the anticipation.

In the months before we saved a bunch of money. About 1.5 months before the due date we went out and bought everything we needed. It was such a great feeling to not have to worry about having money to buy the stuff.

My only other advice would be not to have kids too soon in your new marriage but it's too late for that. My wife and I have little to no time together alone since the kids were born. It's hard on a new marriage. We have been together 8 years and our oldest is 6 and we are doing good but it is hard.
 
Originally posted by: griffis
Basically, my fiance is 5 months pregnant and every day I am more protective over her and the baby's wellbeing. We go to the doctor about once a month and so far so good. I just have all these fears and hopes and just wish everything will turn out ok. I know those here in ATOT have some comments or experiences they can share. Just looking maybe for some advice for pre-baby, like things to do to help prepare. I have been a complete wreck lately!!
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you sound way too stressed. try to be rational and don't take every bit of advice or everything you read as gospel.

 
Wow, good thing I dont sleep very much as it is!! I have already been warned about that one but some of the other stuff are awesome suggestions. I am used to the emotional battering from my lady because it is has really increased over the last few weeks. Also, once she gained her appetite back in the second trimester I can never keep that woman fed!! It's unbelievable. I am just happy when she is happy and sometimes she gets down but for the most part of her pregnancy she has been relatively happy with everything. I appreciate all the advice everyone!! It's great to hear you are not crazy and that other people do go through the same stuff!!
 
Originally posted by: moshquerade
Originally posted by: griffis
Basically, my fiance is 5 months pregnant and every day I am more protective over her and the baby's wellbeing. We go to the doctor about once a month and so far so good. I just have all these fears and hopes and just wish everything will turn out ok. I know those here in ATOT have some comments or experiences they can share. Just looking maybe for some advice for pre-baby, like things to do to help prepare. I have been a complete wreck lately!!
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you sound way too stressed. try to be rational and don't take every bit of advice or everything you read as gospel.
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Definetly, just feels good to get some suggestions. YOu just feel like you are going into it blind ya know?
 
Take as many hand-me-downs as you can get
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Excellent advice. Any friends/relatives with baby cloths can save you some money. Afterall, the baby will be outgrowing its cloths very fast, and you will be buying him/her a new set of cloths every 3 months. You can always return the ones that survive when you are done with them.

Also, consider buying a vibrating bouncy seat. They are very soothing for a baby, and give you a place to put them when you need to do something with your hands.

 
be patient
thats the toughest part with lil monkies, well at least for me it was

and just take it easy
everythings gonna be alright

congrats in advance
:beer::wine:
 
Just think of all those deadbeat parents out there and still the baby comes out physically fine.
 
As others have mentioned, start stockpiling now. In addition to diapers and wipes, I'd start buying formula now. In fact, right now my wife and I are planning #2, and once the bun's in the oven, I'm starting to stockpile.
 
If you have family members or friends who have a recent kid, hang around with them more. See how they handle things- you don't have to do it their way but you will get a chance to see a situation and THINK about it without panic 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Biggerhammer
99.9% of the time, things turn out better than you fear. Go to the childbirth classes (both of you) but don't freak out at all the 'this could go wrong' lists. Relax. Go out to dinner (avoid spicy foods after the first few months). Go swimming- my wife loved this later in the pregnancy because it supported her!

You've got your ticket to an incredible adventure. It won't always be fun but it will be worth it in the end.
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Couldn't have said it better! :thumbsup:
I would only add, don't let your wife, or you for that matter, get hung up on all the "baby books". In my experience, those things worked for the authors kid and that's about it.
 
Originally posted by: ITJunkie
Originally posted by: Biggerhammer
99.9% of the time, things turn out better than you fear. Go to the childbirth classes (both of you) but don't freak out at all the 'this could go wrong' lists. Relax. Go out to dinner (avoid spicy foods after the first few months). Go swimming- my wife loved this later in the pregnancy because it supported her!

You've got your ticket to an incredible adventure. It won't always be fun but it will be worth it in the end.
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Couldn't have said it better! :thumbsup:
I would only add, don't let your wife, or you for that matter, get hung up on all the "baby books". In my experience, those things worked for the authors kid and that's about it.
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We have been reading these but from talking to others we do not take it to heart, it just helps you as a general guide to whats going on.
 
I consider myself a doting dad but even I had limits with my children. Try to have patience, when you are exhausted it is easy to get frustrated with a crying infant.

If that little alien baby (they all look that way until 3 months) won't stop crying after feeding/changing and may have colic; it is okay to put the baby in a safe crib for a few minutes so you can remain calm.

Ask for help from the 'rents so you and your s.o. can get some rest. You don't have to be next to your child 24/7.

Congtrats: Right after the birth of our first I was amazed that people could actually raise kids that were productive members of society. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the sudden great responsibility but take it as it comes and you'll be fine.
 
Originally posted by: griffis
Basically, my fiance is 5 months pregnant and every day I am more protective over her and the baby's wellbeing. We go to the doctor about once a month and so far so good. I just have all these fears and hopes and just wish everything will turn out ok. I know those here in ATOT have some comments or experiences they can share. Just looking maybe for some advice for pre-baby, like things to do to help prepare. I have been a complete wreck lately!!
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Don't get caught up in just focussing on the baby. Your fiance will be absolutely exhausted and potentially hormonally imbalanced and will needs lots of help with everything from walking the baby to sleep at night to folding clothes. If you care about her at all, you'll acknowledge that and almost kill yourself making sure she gets rest and doesn't feel overwhelmed. I'm serious.....this is one of the realest chances you have to show her that you love her.
 
I'll tell you from experience from within the last week ... let her control the delivery experience. My wife was in control, and had a relatively pleasant birth. She directed the doctors and nurses which position was most comfortable etc., and that empowerment allowed her to progress at her own pace.

Good luck 🙂

p.s. stocking up diapers is a good idea .... my little girl is prolific to say the least 😛
 
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