Tips for Legion

[notfarnow]

Legion posted in another thread that his wife is 9 months pregnant! I think that as a collective, we should all chip in some helpful "new baby" advice.

Congrats Legion! My little one is just a little over 2 now, and I have another one coming any day now... wanna race?

[IROC]

Get sleep whenever possible. Tell your wife not to worry about the housework and just sleep when she gets the chance!! My youngest is going to be 2 in October...

[notfarnow]

first tip: you probably aren't burping him/her hard enough. Took me a long time to get comfortable with a solid WOMP on the back, but once you get that BURP out they often go right to sleep.

second tip: local classifieds for spendy baby junk like strollers, cribs, high chairs. You can spend a fortune on this stuff new, or get EVERYTHING for a couple hundred bucks used.

[gassy]

The first time I changed a diaper on my daughter I made sure to drop her so my wife would never let me change her again. I have four kids now, and have only changed a diaper once. Congrats boys. Kids are the best.

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

first tip: you probably aren't burping her hard enough. Took me a long time to get comfortable with a solid WOMP on the back, but once you get that BURP out they often go right to sleep.

The wife or the kid?

[Christien]

Yep, kijiji rules for not only buying stuff, but also selling once you're done with it. We're half way through our old stuff, and it's topping up the vacation fund nicely!

If there's one thing I wish I knew then that I know now, it's that 1. it's easier than you think and 2. it get easier as time goes on. Really. But the bit about effing something up the first time so you never have to do it again does aid in the process. This happened for me years ago with laundry...

[Tobra]

buy used everything, especially clothes

NEVER buy a used car seat.

Get a little CD player and play classical music for the little tyke when sleeping, Mozart seems to work best.

Buy the nicest brand new breast pump you can afford.

[legion]

Thanks guys.

Any day now. She's actually one day overdue at this point, and the Dr. will see her again on Monday.

As for baby stuff, you guys have no idea. This is the first grandchild for both grandparents. Friends, family, co-workers, all have pitched in to buy us all new stuff. I kid you not, the day after we told my MIL, she went out and bought us a super-fancy (at least compared to what I remember as a kid) Graco stroller/car seat set. The freakin' stroller has a thermometer on it!

The only thing we bought ourselves was a crib and changing table. My wife wanted the baby's room decorated a certain way, so I backed off of looking used so that she could have her dream baby room. At least she didn't get the solid oak stuff.

Her co-workers pitched in and bought her a glider. I was shocked (and very thankful). They threw her a full shower at work! Some people decided not to pitch in on the glider and bought us bottles, and clothes, and blankets, and toys...

We probably have enough brand-new baby clothes for the first two years, I kid you not. For example, both my sister and my wife's sister bought the baby t-shirts that say "I love my Aunt" or "I have the world's greatest aunt"....in every size from newborn to 2 years old. My MIL bought him a Bears jersey that will be the right size for football season. It' ridiculous.

My SIL and another friend threw the shower at the (new) house. I went trap shooting with a friend, and when I came home, there were like 50 people at the house! It was crazy.

And our local PCA group even pitched in with a few gifts. Totally unexpected and much appreciated. Oh, and my boss left a gift on my desk one day.

Bless my wife, she's diligently kept track of who has given what and sent thank-you cards for everything (both of us signed).

I've actually been kind of overwhelmed with just how excited other people are for us. I really never expected this.

[stomachmonkey]

The more expensive gadget laden stuff usually sucks.

The person/s that got you the diaper genie, punch them in the face.

[varmint]

the neighbor just gave birth. her whole extended snowbilly family showed up to help. so many that some are sleeping in tents in the yard. each has brought gifts. crib, diapers, monitors, etc.

one decided that the thing a new mother and father need most is a black lab puppy.

barkley is a lot of fun. he and my dog get along great.

[LWJ]

Best two tips I got with my kids:
1) These are the good old days.
2) Several billion people have been successfully born and raised on instinct. Don't waste time with all those parenting books. If it seems to be the right thing, it probably is.

Good luck. Have fun.

Larry

[cstreit]

Forget the cool clothes, they really only wear diapers and onesie's 99% of the time.

When you have to make the split second decision, catch the pee in your hand rather than in the face.

Your house cannot be too clean for your wife with the first baby. Suck it up. They'll be eating cheerios off the floor in a few years

Sleep now. Nap when the baby naps.

The t-shirt over nose air filter works good when changing diapers, especially after the change to solid food.

Good luck Legion!

[nostatic]

two words - rocking chair

seriously. It may save your life.

[notfarnow]

find a polite way to tell parents, inlaws, family & friends to $#@%$# off when they incessantly interject unwanted advice. It can be overwhelming and VERY off-putting... especially in the first few weeks when you are getting into a routine.

[tevake]

Stomachmonkey, Whats that about the diaper genie? It would near the top of my list!!! Seriously, All the best to you Mr and Mrs Legion. Its a big wonderful change

Cheers Richard

[rnln]

congratulations. First one is always fun, and good. Everyone around you is happy for you too. Second one is not twice the work, but 20 times the work. Enjoy while you can.

Originally Posted by legion

Thanks guys.

Any day now. She's actually one day overdue at this point, and the Dr. will see her again on Monday.

As for baby stuff, you guys have no idea. This is the first grandchild for both grandparents. Friends, family, co-workers, all have pitched in to buy us all new stuff. I kid you not, the day after we told my MIL, she went out and bought us a super-fancy (at least compared to what I remember as a kid) Graco stroller/car seat set. The freakin' stroller has a thermometer on it!

The only thing we bought ourselves was a crib and changing table. My wife wanted the baby's room decorated a certain way, so I backed off of looking used so that she could have her dream baby room. At least she didn't get the solid oak stuff.

Her co-workers pitched in and bought her a glider. I was shocked (and very thankful). They threw her a full shower at work! Some people decided not to pitch in on the glider and bought us bottles, and clothes, and blankets, and toys...

We probably have enough brand-new baby clothes for the first two years, I kid you not. For example, both my sister and my wife's sister bought the baby t-shirts that say "I love my Aunt" or "I have the world's greatest aunt"....in every size from newborn to 2 years old. My MIL bought him a Bears jersey that will be the right size for football season. It' ridiculous.

My SIL and another friend threw the shower at the (new) house. I went trap shooting with a friend, and when I came home, there were like 50 people at the house! It was crazy.

And our local PCA group even pitched in with a few gifts. Totally unexpected and much appreciated. Oh, and my boss left a gift on my desk one day.

Bless my wife, she's diligently kept track of who has given what and sent thank-you cards for everything (both of us signed).

I've actually been kind of overwhelmed with just how excited other people are for us. I really never expected this.

[Mr.Puff]

I saw this online today. Give it a try!

Insant baby soothe. [VIDEO]

[Jim Bremner]

buy a GOOD camera!

that and keep Momma happy. she owns you.

[livi]

I am always available for long distance baby health concerns, if questions should arise.

[oldE]

Remember:
1 Kids are portable: You don't need half the junk that most people seem to lug around with their kids.
2 Kids are durable. They will fall down and get bumps. You will learn to watch for signs of compression.
3 You will learn to sleep when they cry.
4 Read to your kids. I always liked Robert Munsch and Dennis Lee.
6 Treasure every day. They go too fast.

Best
Les