New Parent Tips

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irvinehomeowner

irvinehomeowner

Well-known member
Since at least one of us is expecting a new little one very soon... I figured we should start a thread on what to expect as a new parent:

1. No sleep:
By the time you get home, usually a newborn has to eat every 2-4 hours... so get your rest between those times.

2. Learn the burrito wrap:
They show you how to do it in class and post-birth, it really helps keeping the baby feeling secure and they seem to sleep better.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
Since at least one of us is expecting a new little one very soon... I figured we should start a thread on what to expect as a new parent:
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Are you also expecting, Iho?

 
The first tips that comes to mind:

1) Don't automatically freak out like I did when the new baby has periods of no breathing followed by rapid breathing while sleeping.

Fact: Babies have very irregular breathing patterns. It is not the same as adults. http://www.livestrong.com/article/226885-shallow-breathing-in-babies/

2) AskDrSears.com is an extremely helpful website for all those middle of the night questions. I've used it for years and still do.

3) When it's time to try solid food and you're on the "orange" food of the week (carrots, sweet potatoes, etc), don't feed the baby apple juice that week. An excess of orange food and drink will make your baby turn orange. Mine did.  :-\

4) The first child is the "test child". You'll get it right the second time.  :D

 
The expectant father has probably read a lot of 'what to expect' books, and has bought every little thing on the market already.

But that shouldn't stop me from sharing my two cents: There will be times when you just want a moment of peace away from the baby no matter how much you love him. It's OK, and that doesn't make you a bad parent. They cry for no reason sometimes- and the new mother will do too. You have to just lend a shoulder to both and sometimes a patient ear.

Good luck! Is Dragon here already?
 
SoCal said:
Are you also expecting, Iho?
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No... I only look like I am. (drum snare!)

3. Breast feed if you can (well... not you... but the mom):
If you are going formula... the Costco brand is the most affordable and just as good as all the others (and don't worry about using "Infant Water"... spring or purified water will work fine).

4. If mom is waking up to feed, dad should wake up to change diapers:
That was the rule in our house... we both get sleep deprived as a family.
 
IHO's post reminded me of our first time as a parent. Oh God, it was so traumatic to see that helpless little thing in NICU..and wonder whether she will ever-ever be normal, or life will be. Our first born was a preemie, and jaundiced, and caught an infection right away. Took a week to come home.

For all new parents, parents-to-be, I will just say one thing- take care of yourself, and the baby, and celebrate if you bring home the baby with you. There is no greater joy than that.. and to be able to hold your baby right after they are born..those parents with children in NICUs don't get to experience that pleasure for a long time, and when they do, they are still so cautious, it's never the same.
 
bones said:
Oops - didn't know this was a homer specific thread.  Thought it was just a general parenting thread.  Just sharing what I've learned in real time since my child is <1 year old. 
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Not Homer-specific... but Homer-inspired.

Feel free to post... all tips are welcome.
 
My tips:

1. Ask for help when you need it.
2. Accept help when offered.
3. Enjoy the fun. Time goes quickly and you don't ever get it back.
4. Get your sleep now. I had a friend tell me before I was a dad that I had no idea what it meant to be tired. He was right.

-IrvineDad
 
Take lots of pictures and videos. Specially videos. It's fun to go back to watch them a few years after the fact and rekindle old memories of how you interacted with your child when he/she wasn't able to talk, sit or walk.
 
bones said:
Speaking of parenting.  Anyone following this story?  Absolutely horrifying.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/slain_tykes_dancing_death_minutes_3v3AVaxluX6FZuG8rolXdJ
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I know! Didn't want to bring it in this thread though..
A question: there are two very cute toddlers in our neighborhood, and every Monday their nanny takes them for a walk in their very expensive stroller with a trash bag tied to it. The little one sits in the stroller, while the older one helps the nanny collect recycling items from other people's trash cans. I saw it twice, three other neighbors have seen it too.

If my nanny made my children dive into a trash can and a neighbor saw it, I would expect them to report it to me. I am thinking of knocking on their door and letting them know what happened. Somebody tell me I am right in doing so!
 
I saw that headline but couldn't bring myself to read the article.

Tip: Baby booties get kicked off, socks get lost, blankets come untucked. "Real outfits" are awkward and uncomfortable no matter how cute they look on the rack in the store - especially those that consist of denim and other wrinkly, not soft fabrics or have suspenders, etc. Make 99% of the newborn's wardrobe footed sleepers. As a one-piece, it is the perfect solution. It covers more than a onesie and is easy to launder and put away. Pick a footed sleeper for your going-home outfit. If you pick a onesie and a blanket wrap, you'll have to take the baby out of their snuggly environment and expose his/her bare legs and arms to get him/her buckled into the carseat. Make it easy on yourself and the baby.
 
Cubic Zirconia said:
A question: there are two very cute toddlers in our neighborhood, and every Monday their nanny takes them for a walk in their very expensive stroller with a trash bag tied to it. The little one sits in the stroller, while the older one helps the nanny collect recycling items from other people's trash cans. I saw it twice, three other neighbors have seen it too.

If my nanny made my children dive into a trash can and a neighbor saw it, I would expect them to report it to me. I am thinking of knocking on their door and letting them know what happened. Somebody tell me I am right in doing so!
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Collecting from the trash cans or collecting from the recycle bin? I'd be more okay with the recycle bin than the trash.
 
SoCal said:
Cubic Zirconia said:
A question: there are two very cute toddlers in our neighborhood, and every Monday their nanny takes them for a walk in their very expensive stroller with a trash bag tied to it. The little one sits in the stroller, while the older one helps the nanny collect recycling items from other people's trash cans. I saw it twice, three other neighbors have seen it too.

If my nanny made my children dive into a trash can and a neighbor saw it, I would expect them to report it to me. I am thinking of knocking on their door and letting them know what happened. Somebody tell me I am right in doing so!
Click to expand...

Collecting from the trash cans or collecting from the recycle bin? I'd be more okay with the recycle bin than the trash.
Click to expand...

OK, recycling bins.
Am I overreacting? :|
 
Cubic Zirconia said:
SoCal said:
Cubic Zirconia said:
A question: there are two very cute toddlers in our neighborhood, and every Monday their nanny takes them for a walk in their very expensive stroller with a trash bag tied to it. The little one sits in the stroller, while the older one helps the nanny collect recycling items from other people's trash cans. I saw it twice, three other neighbors have seen it too.

If my nanny made my children dive into a trash can and a neighbor saw it, I would expect them to report it to me. I am thinking of knocking on their door and letting them know what happened. Somebody tell me I am right in doing so!
Click to expand...

Collecting from the trash cans or collecting from the recycle bin? I'd be more okay with the recycle bin than the trash.
Click to expand...

OK, recycling bins.
Am I overreacting? :|
Click to expand...

im kind of a germ freak so having my kid go through other peoples trash/recyclables is unacceptable, not to mention they can catch something. i would definitely want to know if i was a parent and a neighbor saw that. not over-reacting at all.
 
Cubic Zirconia said:
A question: there are two very cute toddlers in our neighborhood, and every Monday their nanny takes them for a walk in their very expensive stroller with a trash bag tied to it. The little one sits in the stroller, while the older one helps the nanny collect recycling items from other people's trash cans. I saw it twice, three other neighbors have seen it too.

If my nanny made my children dive into a trash can and a neighbor saw it, I would expect them to report it to me. I am thinking of knocking on their door and letting them know what happened. Somebody tell me I am right in doing so!
Click to expand...
I would want to know. Tell them if you dare, or leave an anonymous note.
 
bones said:
Cubic Zirconia said:
A question: there are two very cute toddlers in our neighborhood, and every Monday their nanny takes them for a walk in their very expensive stroller with a trash bag tied to it. The little one sits in the stroller, while the older one helps the nanny collect recycling items from other people's trash cans. I saw it twice, three other neighbors have seen it too.

If my nanny made my children dive into a trash can and a neighbor saw it, I would expect them to report it to me. I am thinking of knocking on their door and letting them know what happened. Somebody tell me I am right in doing so!
Click to expand...

How do you know it's not the grandma (or other female relative)? 
Also, I'm very surprised that the parent doesn't already know.  Don't kids blab about everything? 
Click to expand...

The grandma was here when they had the baby. I have met her a few times. The nanny comes in the morning- someone drops her off. Also, the boys and parents are all Caucasian (blue eyes/blonde hair), nanny is Hispanic. A few neighbors and I wondered about the same too- the kid might have gone "guess what, it was so much trash can diving to find bottles for nanny today". But since she does it week after week, I don't think the kid said anything. The older one must be around 2.5/3.  You are saying parents might be OK with it?

 
bones said:
Cubic Zirconia said:
bones said:
Speaking of parenting.  Anyone following this story?  Absolutely horrifying.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/slain_tykes_dancing_death_minutes_3v3AVaxluX6FZuG8rolXdJ
Click to expand...

I know! Didn't want to bring it in this thread though..
Click to expand...

Why not?  People go on thread tangents all the time.  Also, while this is VERY extreme, issues with nannies are very real.
Click to expand...

Yes, issues with nannies are real. No matter how good they are, they always do something that parents don't want them to do.
Since this thread was about the newborn and joys of parenting, I didn't want to bring in a news item with a very tragic end.
 
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