im about to be a father for the first time any advice?

Answer 1

The last month or so of the pregnancy, you just give up. What your wife wants, she gets. It's just a hell of a lot easier that way and it will prepare you for the time of Month 1--what the baby wants the baby gets.

I read all the books, saw the movies, attended the classes, but I have to say the one thing that you simply cannot prepare for is the loss of sleep. I'm not talking about a few wake ups here and there--I'm talking about a systematic reduction in the amount and quality of your sleeping--EVERY SINGLE DAY for the next year or so.

It has a knock-on effect when changing a diaper in the middle of the night and your wife is up wondering why the baby is crying and you are getting peed on by the little one and you just want to sleep and things get testy. You have to get through it.

If you are a night-owl, or a hard-sleeper, you might want to start conditioning yourself by taking a few naps here and there, trying to get up a bit earlier, go to bed a bit earlier.

The only other thing I wasn't really ready for was the 'competition' that sort of starts from a really early age with other parents. "Oh, you are using formula?" "We did this with our baby (so you should do it too or you are calling us bad parents)." A lot of little things that sound like advice, but often come across as a bit of a challenge. Just be ready for it.

Answer 2

First off, be involved during the pregnancy as much as you can. This will help you prepare for what you are about to experience and it will give you the opportunity to share some of the things that your wife is experiencing. Help pick up around the house and just know that your spouse can get super tired at times and need all the help she can get.
Secondly, be there for your partner and the child. I don't know if you are married or live together, but active involvment from a father in a childs life is key to their success in life.
A child needs a good balance of male and female influences, and you want to be a good influence on your child especially if she is a girl. A lot of girls who don't have a fatherly influence in their life end up making a lot of bad decisions and having to live with the consequences.
Realize that you are going to have to comprimise and sacrifice more than you have ever had to do before. There will be so many things that you have to change, and you and your partner need to find common ground. Doesn't mean that you give into any suggestion your partner puts out there. It just means that you both need to find a way to agree, so the more options you know about the better off you are.. NO chld wants to be in an argumentative household.
When you are at home, spend time with your child and let them know how much you love them. They will remember the time that you took out of your long busy schedule to pay them some attention!
Congrats to you, I hope you enjoy fatherhood and be a good father to your child. they are few and far between these days.

Answer 3

Just remember to be there as much as possible after your wife has the babe this is a very emotional and important bonding stage to do with your new wife as a mommy and your new baby -you being a daddy it's all changes from here.It is very overwhelming in the beginning and mom does most of the hands on stuff but you eventually find your role in making that little ones life amazing. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your family members at this point because there is alot to take on right away and any extra care and help is always a great idea and takes abit off your wife/girlfriend too,so if you can take turns with the whole catching up on sleep you will find it much easier to go without your regular sleeping patterns.Good luck and congrats on your becoming a daddy.

Answer 4

Congratulations Murray!!! Enjoy the little one while they are little! I have a 12 and 6 year old and they grow up so fast!!! My advice would be to be supportive and an active participant in every activity before the birth! Dad's today are different than when our dads were new fathers. So get in there and change some diapers and do some laundry! It will be much appreciated by the little woman!! Good luck!!

Answer 5

Take care of your family- they will always be first and love you unconditionally.

It takes a lot of selflessness to be a parent- especially in the first year. Make sure you DO make a few days a month of just Mommy and Daddy time. (Hire a sitter or trust some family)
The best thing you can do for your child is take care of yourself and make sure Mama is taking good care of herself too!

Congrats, Daddy! You are about to start the most rewarding job you;ll ever have.

Answer 6

Change diapers!
Be there for your wife/girlfriend
Help her
Don't become jealous because she has to spend more time with the baby than you.
Go to the store for her and while there,pick up your wife or girlfriends favorite ice cream or treat!
You need a lot of patients!
Help her with the baby at night. Take turns!
Don't ever spoil the child. They will turn out fine
Let people help you. It's ok to need help!
Good luck!
And congratulations!

Answer 7

Love your child unconditionally. Always be there for
him or her. Provide emotional, and financial support
without having to be asked to do so. Be the best that you
can. Set a good example for your child always. GOOD
LUCK & CONGRATS!!!***

Answer 8

Spoil your baby. Not to the extent that it gets everything that he wants. Give it all of the attention you can. Don't miss one second of its life that you don't have to miss. Enjoy each and every moment. They grow up so fast.

Answer 9

Get all selfishness out of your system now. Be ready to provide your significant other with all the support they need. Get well rested NOW!!!

Answer 10

Trust your instincts, forget your life for the next year, and get as much sleep as you can when you can.

Good luck, it's the greatest exerience you will ever have.