Top products from r/daddit

Deep breath. Everything's alright. Babies just happen sometimes. Remember that we somehow evolved as a species by having babies in the woods, when our best tools were sharpened rocks. Just love, relax, and be compassionate... everything else will play out on it's own. You sound like you are in a better position than I was (in college, delivering pizza, and no savings). I'm sure you can google your specific questions, but here's my opinion:

• Business trips - Good, more pillows for her. Things don't get too exciting until the 3rd trimester.
  
  
• Insurance - hers, since until the baby is born, it is essentially her 'condition'. After the baby comes? I guess you'll just have to compare co-pays, maximum benefits, whether a preferred provider is on the list, who will be taking to appointments, etc.
  
  
• Last name - Yours, assuming you want to be involved, she is cool with that, and possibly she might take on your name as well.
  
  
• Share news - standard is 12 wks, but it's your call.
  
  I recommend:
  
  The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance
  
  It's amusing and actually very informative. I found it more readable than the 'What to expect when you're expecting' series. Cheers!

Material Goods for the baby:
Carseat,
diapers,
wipes,
baby nail file or baby mittens (newborn nails are SO SHARP),
weather-appropriate clothing (go with the elastic-bottomed gowns for the first 3 months (you want easy access to diapers),
old towels/burp cloths/cheapo 10-pack of washcloths,
a way to carry the baby (Ergo/Moby/baby sling is AMAZING or a stroller),
bottles if you plan on formula feeding/maybe a pump/bottles if you plan on breastfeeding (that one is a wait-and-see purchase),
gentle soap for washing the baby (store brand is fine)
place for baby to sleep (cosleeping/pack n play/crib/swing)

Material Goods for the parents:
Box of ultra-absorbent pads for Mom after the birth,
cheap/old pillows to prop up Mom after the birth,
Mom's favorite water bottle if she's breastfeeding,
old towels to go under Mom (old towels in general for spit up/accidents),
extra laundry detergent,
nursing bra if she's breastfeeding,
some LOUD white noise maker (vac, hair dryer, dryer, sound machine, YouTube hair dryer looping track, etc).
A copy of Happiest Baby on the Block.
CONSIDER getting a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for when you're "off-duty".

Material Goods in general:
LOTS of food that's either easy to prepare (boxed) or pre-prepared (precooked and frozen or canned), and a box of dry milk as a backup for the boxed food (tuna helpers and the like),
paper plates,
disposable utensils,
disposable cups,
vinegar for cleaning (helps get baby spitup out of clothing/carpet).

Other To Do:
1- Make sure you've got a pediatrician picked out.

2- Know the normal baby sleep schedule. Here's a good site. They DO NOT sleep through the night early on, they have to wake to feed every couple of hours. That's NORMAL and anyone who tells you differently can shove a sock in it.

3- Consider the 6-on/6-off sleep system... Mom sleeps from 6pm-midnight while Dad takes care of newborn. Dad sleeps from midnight-6am. Sleeping parent gets the headphones.

4- Remember that the first 3 months are the hardest. It gets easier. And Reddit Parents are usually always here for you.

Good luck!

As far as newborn, we had some good success with the baby white noise albums. This is just a bare example but it comes with a story I will leave for later. Specifically we bought 1 off of iTunes, it was about an hour and a half and included a heartbeat-type noise on top of the general shwooshing noise.

Later when she grew up a bit (6 months old, 1 year old, whatever) we filled up a 2 gig jump drive with all the smooth, mellow, folksy, hipster music I have in my library (bands like The Capsules, Seabear, Sufjan Stevens, Iron & Wine, etc etc)

Why that music? Cause I AM HER FATHER AND SHE WILL LISTEN TO WHAT I TELL HER TO. Nah, but seriously, I like this type of stuff, I picked the softer of it to give to her while sleeping. Music is important to me, I want it to be important to her. At first it was transitioning her from the white noise album to something that meant something to me. Now she cant' sleep without music playing. I'm cool with that for now.

OK, so on to the story about the loud noises and heartbeat: Before The Happiest Baby On The Block became a franchise with DVD sets and followers and a church named after them... (Did that happen yet? It looks like it will) The Happiest Baby On The Block was a book. We bought it and read it and learned a lot of what seems afterwards as obvious information, but while reading, it was unknown.

the point to THIS story is that the 1st 3 months of having a baby you need to replicate what they were used to in the womb. It's loud in the womb, there is all this blood running through vessels and food digesting (I have no idea what the sounds are in a womb) and there is the ever-present heartbeat, cause that guy lives right next door. Anyway, book explains it's loud in there and replicating the noise will actually help calm a newborn, not disturb him.

As a mom who was equally pragmatic about her pregnancy -- at the anatomy scan, I made halloween skeleton decoration jokes instead of being all excited about the tech finding my fetus's penis, she was very upset with me -- I would recommend Emily Oster's books. She and her husband are behavioral economists, and so their approach a lot of the fluffy "recommendations" and "averages" people tell soon-to-be and new parents was to look at studies to find whatever data they could to support it.

Here's her Amazon page, you'll want copies of both "Expecting better" -- her pregnancy book -- and "Cribsheet" -- her early parenting book. They've reassured both my husband and me about what's actually good precautions and what's just hysteria, and I've referenced Cribsheet at least twice more since actually giving birth. You can also back your wife's and your decisions up with real studies and data when people decide to offer advice you didn't ask for that runs counter to what you want to do.

I'd also recommend the parenting classes the hospital should offer new parents, for everything from how labor will go to new parent awareness. Some of it feels really dumb and sentimental, but some was good reminders and stuff I never thought about -- like how cleaner looks like juice to little kids. (Also, fetuses are swimming in their own pee in the womb.)

Finally, we were gifted an encyclopedia-esque book aimed for fathers at my baby shower. I'll look up the title at home -- my very reserved husband has enjoyed reading it for what's to come type stuff.

PS: You'll want a copy of this book for bedtime, especially when he's little, and Shel Silverstein poetry is much better than any children's book to read at nighttime when they're too little to pay attention to the pictures. All the docs want out of reading to your kids is just talking to them... all the time... so read something you like.

I'm 9 weeks into this same thing (a boy and a girl).

One thing I've learned so far is you can't do it all. There is going to be moments where somebody's going to have to sit and cry. For example, you can only change one diaper at a time. They will be okay.

Do some research about babies being in the NICU. Don't let it worry you too much. It seems most twins go to the NICU for at least a little bit. Mine were there 3 weeks

Definitely keep both on the same schedule. If you feed one, feed the other. If you change one diaper, change the other.

There's going to be a moments where you get overly frustrated. Put the babies in a safe place and walk away for a few breaths. Also make sure momma does the same thing.

Always accept help. Don't feel proud and try to be a superhero. Weather it's somebody willing to come help you watch the kids, or someone willing to cook you a meal. If they offer, take advantage.

Some more spacific things would include:

• Keep a changing table in your bedroom (an extra for downstairs if you have two floors)
  
• Keep spair clothes in the bedroom.
  
• Use puppy pads to put them down on the couch or bed
  
• Label their bottles and pacifiers for each child (I have one with thrush right now)
  
• Buy something to hands-free carry them around the house with
  
• Multiple bottle drying racks
  
• Podster baby seats
  
• Be prepared to need formula
  
• Find a brand of coffee and creamer you like.
  
• Get a coffee pot with a timer
  
• Get A Yeti or Thermos coffee cup
  (I may add to this later if I think of more)
  
  A couple of good books I liked:
  
  Be Prepared https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743251547/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_tdARDbCCNJJN0
  The Baby Owner's Manual https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594745978/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_leARDbH84Q31C
  
  
  Lastly, and most importantly, if you're worried about being good parent, then you are being a good parent.
  
  Good luck my fellow brethren

I bought two for my significant other. DadLabs and Be Prepared.

Be Prepared came in first and he enjoyed it. I picked it up and flipped through it a bit. Lighthearted with just enough neat little "tips" that it makes it worth the couple bucks I spent on a nice used book. It's just kind of bathroom material now.

Then DadLabs came in. He read it cover to cover. Put bookmarks in. Highlighted stuff. He LOVED it. He isn't a big "reader" so that's saying a lot for him. I read a bit of this one too. It's practical and more serious than Be Prepared, but still fun and enjoyable to read. I also got a score on Amazon with this one, bought used, it showed up in perfect condition, and was signed by all the authors. :)

We went with the infant optics. after it was recommended by several friends. Super easy to use, all the normal features, but it is also very easy to add cameras to and ha s interchangeable lenses so you can use narrow or wide lens views as your kid grows. Only $165.

Personally, I find it a lot easier to have a physical monitor to walk around with that is always playing the audio instead of needing to use a phone and open an app. Plus its easy to hand off to nannies/sitters/family members without messing around with everyone's phone.

Not accessible remotely, but I also don't have to worry about someone else ever logging into it.

I mean, I wouldn't give the kid a steak or anything large and fibrous but some puree would probably be fun. We started giving our little boy solids pretty young. Our Ped told us 6 months is the rule of thumb because of the ability to move foods around with the tongue. We kind of listened, kind of didn't.

Our boy got teeth at 3 months so that's pretty much when we started giving him solids. In addition to homemade purees and jarred baby food (he LOVED sweet potato) we would give him avocado, or watermelon/other fruit in one of these netted holders so he could chomp on it and get the juice/goop out without the worry of choking.

Get the following:

• Happiest Baby on the Block: great descriptions on swaddling, soothing, pacifier use, nursing, etc. A lifesaver for sure.
  
  
• What to Expect: The First Year: Tons of info about everything you didn't know to even ask. Bathing the baby, sleeping schedules, nursing/bottle feeding, etc. More of a "desk reference" type book, and actually a very good bathroom read.
  
  
• The Baby Sleep Solution: Not everyone is down with this type of book, but it really helped us get ourselves and our baby on a schedule, which is vital for parents to keep them SANE.
  
  When the pediatrician comes to check in on the baby while at the hospital, ask TONS of questions. They don't mind and it will make you feel better. That's what you're paying them for!!
  
  Finally, relax and enjoy. They are tougher than they look.

This book was recommended to me by my cousin shortly after my son arrived. While I found it really hard to read some times (the author talks in circles, as I recall) the four things to do to calm a baby are:

• Suck (i.e. pacifier)
  
• Swaddle (wrap snugly in a blanket - watch the nurses in the hospital)
  
• Shush
  
• Swing
  
  Now, these four things will depend on your kid. At first, my son didn't care about pacifiers much, but swaddling worked great up until 30-4 months old. Learning the right combination of each for your shild will take a little practice and patience.
  
  He didn't care for actual swings, but if you held him and rocked him back and forth gently, that was just fine.
  
  Shushing can really help when they're upset - just hold them close and gently "shushhhhh" into their ear.
  
  Our son also spit up a fair amount; we ended up using Dr. Brown's bottles to reduce it (a lot of bottles draw air back inside the bottle thru the nipple and this basically aerates the milk/formula and can dramatically increase the amount of air in the baby's tummy and increases the amount of burping you have to do.
  
  Welcome to the club!

I wasn't that interested in those things while my wife is pregnant either; it doesn't mean he won't be a great dad. I would recommend making sure you have a cushion in savings to fall back on when the diapers and formula (?) takes its toll on your finances.

Hospitals in our city offered free parenting classes that I'd recommend he sign up for. It gives critical knowledge for first-time fathers, and also helps make it a little more real.

Buy him this book. It was the one parenting book I was able to read that didn't read like a wimpy-ass man warning another man about his wife and future being taken away. It was funny and informative, and very light reading.

It didn't become totally real for me as a father until my baby was on her way out. She's the greatest person in the world to me, and nothing will change that.

Congrats and good luck to you both!

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

This, the Baby Owners Manual, was probably the most useful and appealing to me. It is presented like an actual manual but the instructions were very easy to understand, had great pictures to accompany the descriptions and appealed to my witty side.
I read this before my son was born and I learnt how to how him, swaddle him and kept it close by for reference most of the time.
I passed it on to a friend when they were expecting and I recommend it a lot.

I'm thinking teething too, but whether that's the case or not, try a mesh baby feeder -- something like this. Put some fruit in the freezer, like a bit of banana or watermelon, then when it's nice and cold, put it in the mesh feeder. If your son is teething, the cold mesh will feel great on his gums, but even if he's not, he'll get some solid food through the mesh. If he is teething, the cold will numb his gums a bit, and then he might take the bottle. This worked really well with my daughter.

[regalo super yard](Regalo 192-Inch Super Wide Adjustable Baby Gate and Play Yard, 4-In-1, Bonus Kit, Includes 4 Pack of Wall Mounts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VNKLIY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_a8K0CbB3DGQMJ)

You're going to want to adjust your search terms. Look for play yard.

Please look at the specs on this one and see if it will suit.

We got something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Regalo-192-Inch-Super-Wide-White/dp/B003VNKLIY/ref=sr_1_6_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1502910571&sr=8-6&keywords=baby+pen

Or you can combine a few of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Surround-6-Panel-PlaySafe/dp/B000G1YW98/ref=sr_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1502910571&sr=8-4&keywords=baby+pen

We put it over a foam mat and our son was happy. Eventually set him to free range once he really got moving.

Good luck.

Foam Mat:
https://www.amazon.com/ProSource-Puzzle-Alphabet-Numbers-Tiles/dp/B00DQEKHUA/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1502910700&sr=1-4&keywords=baby+foam+mat

The foam mat now is being used for the slide we opted to keep inside for the occasional heart attack er. i mean fun...

Not from the UK but got this one from Amazon.

Liked this model as the video is just local between the camera and monitor, and not streamed over the internet.

Would recommend based on use so far, though to be fair it is on the pricey end.

edit: bought from US Amazon so in our case need to have the camera plugged into a power adapter...which is ok for us as camera stays plugged in all the time anyway. The portable monitor just charges via USB so easier to use existing USB chargers around the house. Also night vision works well.

Don't feel shocked but my kid loves the "Go the f_k to sleep book. Of course being 4 he cannot read it or comprehend the swears in it and I substitute appropriate words for the ones that are not suitable.

That being said, there is a kid friendly version of the book.

For those wondering we were given the book by a close friend of my wife when she found out my wife was pregnant. After however many books I have read to my kids, this is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I have yet to see.

Happiest Baby on The Block.

Seriously could not give it a higher recommendation. Dad of a fussy newborn (5 weeks). It saved my sanity.

Here's a quick YouTube preview: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3aJ78TXak

But you HAVE to get the Amazon Instant video if you watch the YouTube and want more details. https://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Baby-Block-Harvey-Karp/dp/B0088Y6C0W

Also. Get a halo sleeper sack. Way easier than swaddling and it holds all night.

Also swear by the fisher price rock and play. Only pediatrician approved device for a baby to sleep in that moves (vs vibrate) and it's only $60.

Combine that with a wubbanub, some gripe water and this YouTube link played LOUDLY close to him/her - you'll find the "off switch" too. :)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oewj_XEM1js

I got "So You're Going to be a Dad" as a gift and I loved it. It was hysterical to read, but insightful and useful as well. However, for the more serious stuff, I agree with someone else who suggested "Be Prepared". You've got a lot of good advice in this thread.

Same thing happened here. 1 week into daycare got a cold, which then turned into an ear infection.

Anyway, we got the Nosefrida which is 100% better then a bulb syringe (and 100% more disgusting, but it pulls out so much more snot). Just put some saline drops in before to loosen everything up.

Also, as per a recommendation of a friend, we rubbed Vicks BabyRub on her feet before bed, put some socks on, and the coughing definitely decreased at night. We asked our ped. before we did, and though she never heard of doing it, she didn't see a problem with it. Just make sure it is the Vicks BABYRUB, it is safe for 3 months+ in age.

Someone bought us a Nest Cam, but I returned it... I didn't really see the advantage to clogging my wifi, or having to use a cell phone as the monitor. We got one of these instead... The good part is that it's not on the wi-fi, the monitor never loses signal, and it doesn't need a cell phone.

I don't remember if the nest cam was movable, but with ours, we can also turn the camera if our baby crawled to the other side of the crib, which is nice. Also, it has a microphone so you can talk to your baby without getting up (although i think it will only be useful when he's a little older).

This came up not to long ago and I will put what I put before
It is very informative and research based but still fun "Caveman's guide to ...." http://www.amazon.com/Cavemans-Pregnancy-Companion-Survival-Expectant/dp/140273526X
A something a lot lighter and just fun to get him into the idea
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-shooting/dp/1931686238
The latter has a lot less hard fact but I know I enjoyed it and it got me prepped to read the bigger, harder stuff.

The Baby Owner's Manual - I loved this book and found it to be useful as well as entertaining. One thing I found out pretty quickly, however, is that your baby is unique and is not necessarily going to follow some book(s) you read.

I doubt there is a completely non-patronizing pregnancy book available outside of a medical text book. I had the feeling that the authors had purposefully written their books with the idea that the people who needed it the most were those without any prior experience with pregnancy, babies, or children.

There were only two that my wife and I both enjoyed. The first, What to Expect When You're Expecting, was pretty good for straight, factual information.

The other book, Be Prepared, falls into your first category and is more of a bathroom reader joke book, but it was entertaining enough and had some good ideas for the first year.

I use this Foscam FI8910W Pan & Tilt IP/Network Camera with Two-Way Audio and Night Vision (Black)
http://amzn.com/B006ZP8UOW

It works great especially with iOS devices. Much cheaper than most baby monitors too. I can check on my family when I'm at work too. Suggested it to all my family and friends as we'll and they love it too.

http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Practical-Handbook-Dads/dp/0743251547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344482516&sr=8-1&keywords=be+prepared

This one. End topic. This is the best book out of the many I read, and it was by far the best.

Oh, and congrats!!

You need a pack n' play.

You don't need a car baby mirror.

You need about twice the number of pacifiers you have already bought. Because they disappear.

You don't need the head insert for the car seat.

Your wife needs a boppy.

You don't need special "burp cloths." You know what works great? Dish towels.

You need a baby monitor.

You don't need special baby Q-tips.

You need diaper rash cream. Boudreaux's, whatever.

You don't need wipe warmers.

You need those fabric boxes. Like these. You will put a lot of stuff in them.

You don't need a ton of toys. Especially the make-your-kid-a-genius ones. You don't need those. Know what they will want to play with? The spatula. Your keys. You know, whatever you are holding.

You need this book. It is the best thing I have ever read...both kids sleep through the night like rocks because of this book.

At least, those are the lessons I think I learned.

I got this book Baby Owner's Manual as a semi gag gift when we were having our first. I actually read through this book and found it really helpful overall. I even referred back to it a few times when we weren't sure on some things.

What to expect is great and all, but it's just TOO much stuff. This keeps it straight and to the point. Plus it's funny because it's written like an instruction manual.

Get this book.

My first little guy is 5.5 months old, and he had been needing to be held to go to sleep. He was going to bed around 10, waking up two times per night and needed to be held to go back to sleep. Now, he goes to sleep at 8, wakes up once around 3 or 4 to eat and immediately goes back to sleep until about 7:30.

It also teaches you about the signs of when they are tired during the day so that you can put them down to take naps at the right times. Timing their sleep cycle can be hard work, but now that we are in a routine, my wife, my baby and I are all happier.

I cannot recommend this book enough. My wife has been doing it all, so I don't know how early the book recommends using some of these techniques, but do yourself a favor and get it. Don't suffer through sleepless nights like my wife and I did.

Might be a bit late to the party here, but I went with a simple IPcam and set it up for network viewing. I never saw the need for a dedicated video monitor when we all have a phone of some sort already. I purchased This One and use any app you like best... Everyone can take a peek during nap times and it definitely makes the grandparents feel apart of it all despite 6 hours between us.

That looks like the Munchkin 360 cups I have https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Miracle-Trainer-Green-Ounce/dp/B00MRZIFD0/ they're great, but my toddler just figured out how to get her thumb under the rubber lid and pour all the water out! Still a great cup, never leaks if it just gets left on its side.

Consumer reports only rated 3 monitors with video capabilities, and don't have any recommended models with video.

1. Summer Infant Slim & Secure 02800/02805 baby monitor(rating 54)
   
2. Safety 1st True View baby monitor(Rating 51)
   
3. MobiCam AV Wireless Monitoring System baby monitor(Rating 33)
   
   Their top rated audio monitor was the Philips Avent DECT SCD510 baby monitor, which scored an 88.
   
   For what it's worth, we used this Infant Optics DXR-8 model, after having issues with a motorola video monitor we had registered for: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECHYTBI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

A bit more clinical, and more information (IMO) than "what to expect..."


Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

AWESOME book for dads (me included). Similar info, but much lighter, and easier to read.

The only "fatherhood" book I could stand: Be Prepared

The only "baby" book I could stand: (and they have a good Toddler one from the same series)
Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice For Your Baby's First Year

Happiest Baby On The Block literally saved my sanity. I could quiet the little man down in seconds, felt like magic. lol

Just wait until you have the baby and he holds if for the first time. everyone has jitters before their first one (and the second, and third,...)

Go see a movie together. That is something you won't be able to do for at least a few months after the baby is born.

As for some books, What to Expect when you are Expecting is a good one. Something else to take his mind off the idea of life being over is a book called The Greatest Salesman in the World.

Haha! the "Frequently bought together" has this and Go the Fuck to Sleep.

The audio book of that is actually quite good. Samuel L. Jackson narrates.

No personal experience (yet), but these spoutless cups seem like a pretty decent bet.

We liked this book so much we bought it for all of our expecting friends.

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

This is our child sleep bible. Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child. Our kids are 5, 4 and 2 and it is still useful.

I got the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Baby Monitor. Easy set-up. Pan/Zoom, temperature, hear baby and talk to baby - working good for us so far. Got it on Amazon:
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECHYTBI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We have the Foscam 8910 which we love. I'm thinking about getting a few more for around the house. They go on sale from time to time as well. I think I paid $59 for mine. We use "tinycam" on our android phones and "baby monitor" on the iPad.

http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI8910W-Network-Camera-Two-Way/dp/B006ZP8UOW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1369856020&sr=1-1&keywords=foscam+8910

http://www.amazon.com/The-Happiest-Baby-On-Block/dp/B0088Y6C0W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1344556464&sr=8-4&keywords=happiest+baby+on+the+block

I can't recommend this enough. Tools for getting an infant (< 3 months) to fall asleep very quickly.

It worked like a charm for me.

There's a book and a DVD, I recommend the DVD so you can see it in action.

Do you want to use an app to watch it or just a straight monitor?

I prefer not having the IP based ones because it keeps it off the net. I don't mind changing the settings on them, just easier to not have to.

The one I bought is a straight video monitor/wireless camera. Camera/Monitor

I have a few of these we use in our house and have had good luck with...

http://www.amazon.com/Foscam-FI8910W-Network-Camera-Two-Way/dp/B006ZP8UOW/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

What To Expect When You're Expecting

This book kept us sane during my wife's pregnancy. I can't recommend it enough. And good luck!

I would recommend this one. I've given it to a few friends: The Baby Owner's Manual

My friend's wife suggested this book and said it was really helpful for her. I got it for my wife and she loved it. Also has some handy charts to track stuff in it to take to the doc for checkups during pregnancy.

Edit: there is a newer version now but the amazon page links to it.

We ferberized our kid at six months. Went from 2-3 wakings per night to once every two weeks. I highly recommend getting his book rather than reading summaries on the Internet. Most of those summaries focus on the progressive waiting aka CIO method itself. There is so much more involved... We learned we were screwing up her routine and taught her to fall asleep breastfeeding. She would wake up in the middle of the night and wouldn't be able to fall asleep until what happened? Breastfeeding! If you give your kid juice to fall asleep at night what happens when he wakes up? "I want juice!"



Totally worth $15 and you can skip chapters that aren't relevant (now) so it can be a quick read. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0743201639/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1375222053&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY190

Safe Baby Handling Tips

Hillarious book that has diagrams for safe handling and care of your new baby. Its been on reddit before, but is worth a mention. Even has the wheel or responsibility on the front.

If you can afford it, I would suggest upgrading to the metal version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U5FOT2

The plastic version is a lot easier to climb (the diamond pattern provides horizontal toe holds) and the metal version comes with wall brackets.

This wouldn't work for you? Works great for me. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000U5FOT2/

If you are worried, my wife and I use the advice from this blog and it helps. http://www.weebeedreaming.com/my-blog/. Also, the advice from happiest baby on the block was just incredible. Video since i'm sure your time is pretty much wasted. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088Y6C0W/ref=dv_web_yvl_list_pr_3

My recommendation to all new parents - http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-Happy-Child/dp/0449004023

My ex-wife and I used this on our first child - by the 3rd night she was asleep in under 5 minutes. When my son was born, we started the process a bit earlier, same result. They are now 5 and 7, and to this day fall asleep in minutes, and I still feel what we learned from this book is the reason why. Setting a routine early on will benefit you and your child for years to come ;)

We loved the munchkin 360 cups. We have so many of them.

https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Miracle-Trainer-Green-Ounce/dp/B00MRZIFD0/ref=br_lf_m_zqat9rkd5z8o9t9_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&s=baby-products

Sleep problems are fucked, because you end up dealing with complex problems with little or no sleep yourself. My wife and I were in a similar situation (just with respect to sleep, or lack of baby sleeping), and found this book to be a FUCKING GODSEND. I don't know if we just needed something to "follow" or whatever, but we gave this book a good college go, and it worked out for us.

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child

We bought this:

https://smile.amazon.com/Regalo-192-Inch-Super-Adjustable-Mounts/dp/B003VNKLIY?sa-no-redirect=1

I can't recommend it enough. We have a step like that too leading to our family room. It creates a natural support for the giant baby gate. We still had to anchor it into a stud for our little Bam Bam, but it keeps him contained to one room.

We use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECHYTBI/. It's a solid non-internet monitor. The battery did stop holding a charge after a year of heavy use, but a new battery was pretty cheap. Only downside vs a wifi/internet camera is if you have a huge house you may not get a good signal all the way across it.

Read this one after you've read all the help books and realize they don't change shit about your kid.

I think I have this book as well. Did it come with the responsibility spinner on the front? It's a wheel you spin that has either a "mom" or "dad" space on it. Whichever it lands on is the person responsible for the current baby incident.

Ninja edit: This is it. http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Baby-Handling-Tips-David/dp/0762424915#

Friend loaned me this. http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Practical-Handbook-Dads/dp/0743251547

When we were expecting our first, someone gave us the “Baby User Manual”. https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978. It can with a poster that had swaddling steps. A bit of practice with it and could start swaddling with my eyes closed. Which was pretty normal after a few weeks of 3AM feedings.

While not geared specifically for Dads, I thought Happiest Baby on the Block was the most insightful and helpful.

I'm also signed up for BabyCenter.com emails. You put in the due date and it emails you weekly with updates on how your baby is developing in the womb. You still get emails after the due date explaining new developments.

I'm not sure what details you were given about the method if your pediatrician recommended a routine...but if you can, check this out.

It helped me understand the Ferber method in and out and what to and not do. If done correctly, most kids don't need the exaggerated bs you hear about from...wherever you hear about Ferber hate.

It's really simple if you stick to it. Good luck!

Read This It helped me a lot and honestly from this comment alone you need the advise it offers.

Highly recommended source: Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

This should help.

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instruction/dp/1931686238/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323325762&sr=8-1

Agree with this. Also enjoyed Be Prepared.

This video helped me a lot as a new dad. Was totally worth the cost! https://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Baby-Block-Harvey-Karp/dp/B0088Y6C0W

I found this book funny, and also helpful. You can make an emergency diaper out of a tube sock and duct tape!

"Be Prepared: A Practical Guide for New Dads"
http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397582249&sr=8-1&keywords=practical+guide+for+new+dads

yea, i put my ear buds in then put ear muffs over my ear buds,

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Champion-Passive-Muff/39818002


with my first I also read this book, there are a lot of cool tips that i still use today
https://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519301657&sr=8-1&keywords=be+prepared+dad+book

Please don't post links to copyrighted material.

Alternate solution for those of us with 100$ to burn

https://www.amazon.com/North-States-Metal-Superyard-freestanding/dp/B000U5FOT2/ref=zg_bs_166868011_28?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MY7Z3TCRN9QC1BHVWXBQ

My wife and I have used this book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0757305601/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_J6V6wbRBYXZK2 We started sleep training around 6 months and oh my god it's made a world of difference for us. A lot of it has to do with timing naps properly and keeping a very strict bed time schedule.

A couple of books:

What to Expect When You're Expecting

Your Baby's First Year

Also, while she is pregnant, be prepared to go to the grocery store at any hour. You could be stocked with any food you could think of, and she'll crave [insert food you don't have at home].

My wife craved Frankenberry...

Usually one of these will work for me, after 3 kids:

1. Fill up the bathtub (or kitchen sink) with warm water, and throw them in.
   
2. Midnight stroller or car ride, with the windows down in summer.
   
3. These with ice or soft fruit.

The Sleep Easy Solution if you haven't read it is straight up cheating.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743201639/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=bcexpertarticle-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=73ad71244bb8ade96d59370b255b13d6&camp=1789&creative=9325

I read this one and it helped me out a lot.

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0743251547&pd_rd_r=RTJE4AVG8RTDZWGNK6X7&pd_rd_w=mTNgv&pd_rd_wg=w1cFo&psc=1&refRID=RTJE4AVG8RTDZWGNK6X7

This book for five months and older
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0757305601/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_VT6qDbDQQ7MFF

This DVD for newborns
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0757305601/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_t1_VT6qDbDQQ7MFF

As others have said, my wife pumped and I took over a feeding or two during the night and that made a big difference for all of us.

The books that helped me the most are these 2.

What to Expect When You're Expecting

What to Expect the First Year

The Baby Owners Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance

Baby's Owner's Manual

https://www.amazon.com/Go-F-Sleep-Adam-Mansbach/dp/1617750255/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539462269&sr=8-1&keywords=go+the+fuck+to+sleep

Baby Manual

We used this gate around my desk area until our little guy was about 2. Now he just leaves it alone... mostly.

Get the Nosefrida. Blows the doors off of the ball-type nasal aspirator.

Your welcome.

We use this one, due to the same concerns. https://smile.amazon.com/Infant-Optics-DXR-8-Monitor-Interchangeable/dp/B00ECHYTBI

We've been putting Vicks in a bowl or 2 with hot water in the room with my daughter when shes sleeping overnight etc.. We've also noticed her nose gets blocked and crusty when a tooth is coming in so maybe its just that and not a cold with your boy as well. We got one of these Nosefrida things and it works well when its really blocked.

20% off diapers, wipes and 3 other random items? Yes.

Oh, a suction bulb for the nose or a Nose Frida, says someone who just had a baby wake up crying because of nasal congestion.

http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-Happy-Child/dp/0449004023

Problem solved.

I don't see on here anything about not doing that. A baby at 8 months old is not ready to chew things like food let alone celery. I know it is scary but if this is your first you don't do that they have to learn how to process the chewing and drinking that is why there are training cups and teething things you can throw mushy juicy fruit and veg in that they can naw on.

this is what you want to introduce them to chewing on food

https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Fresh-Feeder-Colors-Count/dp/B000GK5XY2

I bought one of these https://www.amazon.com/Regalo-192-Inch-Super-Adjustable-Mounts/dp/B003VNKLIY/ref=sxin_9_osp60-b278d184_cov?ascsubtag=b278d184-e34b-446e-be98-e3d114e2274e&creativeASIN=B003VNKLIY&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.b278d184-e34b-446e-be98-e3d114e2274e&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_wn=osp-search&keywords=baby+gates&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B003VNKLIY&pd_rd_r=7bda3c1f-4d08-484c-abc2-2a5cf94b9c61&pd_rd_w=5ZoJL&pd_rd_wg=5oIB3&pf_rd_p=53eff971-6e12-4016-9864-b6dfd929b2b3&pf_rd_r=5RXD0KG48KK90804YK12&qid=1570464488&tag=mlbonsitepub-20

They wrap around the stairs for added protection and you can screw into the drywall instead to the railing.

Don't spend a lot of money on clothes for the first year, the kid will probably outgrow everything before they wear it more than a couple times. We got all kinds of newborn clothes at my wife's baby shower, and the kid grew out of them before most of them were ever worn. Ask for diapers at the baby shower instead, you can't really have too many diapers.

If you'll need a daycare, start looking now because the good ones will have a waiting list.

Get your wife/yourself a copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting and yourself a copy of Be Prepared.

Your wife is about to go through some very uncomfortable times. Be there for her. Massage her back and feet when they're sore and swollen and understand that when she may say and do things that uncharacteristic for her near the end of her pregnancy, don't take any of it personally. Being the perfect husband during this time will go a hell of a long way for years to come.

If possible, take a couple of spontaneous weekend getaway trips before your wife is too uncomfortable to travel. Enjoy an evening out at a non-animated movie and a quiet dinner. This will be the last opportunity for that sort of thing for a long time.

We use this one. Our bedroom is downstairs and the baby’s room is upstairs and it works well. We have a kitchen and living room between us and the stairs with the room being the first one once going up. It will occasionally be spotty like the audio will breakup or something but that is due to Wi-Fi interference and doesn’t inhibit the monitor that much.

Caveman's Guide to Pregnancy

It's a good book. But, be forewarned, most pregnancy books for fathers make you feel stupid and basically make you feel like you're going to fail as a father.

Check out this book. Absolutely essential for the first 3 months or so, which are arguably the most difficult.

I was looking at parenting books and came across The Caveman's Pregnancy Companion: A Survival Guide for Expectant Fathers. This book pissed me off so much. It was condescending and just did nothing but perpetuate the stereotype. And it is geared towards the men!