Tell me about being a Dad...

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Hammertime

I'm not sure where the pro-Pampers crowd is coming from. I've got a 7 mo old, and have tried Pampers Swaddlers, Huggies Snug and Dry and Kirkland brand diapers.

My least favorite was Pampers, because it doesn't have a deep back flap that folds-in that is the line of defense from a fecal blow-out up the back. Other than that critical feature, they are all pretty equal. Pampers has Disney characters, and Huggies has Winnie the Pooh.

I love being a Dad, it's getting better every day.

Some advice:
- First 3 months are tough, and you don't get much interaction with your baby. Things start to get alot better around the 3 month mark.
- Grandmothers (both sides) will always think they know better than you. In many cases this is true, and sometimes it's better to just go along with how they want to do things instead of arguing.
- Get into a consistent routine as soon as possible. We started sleep training early, around the 5-6 week mark. By 2 months, he was sleeping through the night (9PM to 7AM). There are regressions that occur, but in general, the routine (bath, nighttime bottle feeding, swaddling, etc) was key to keeping sane.
- Baby carriers are good investments
- Depending on your healthcare benefits, your wife may be able to get a decent breast milk pump paid for through insurance. This greatly helped us for our bedtime routine.
- Make sure your baby has finished pooping before going in to change the diaper.

I'm not sure this one is true, and I would argue the counter point. Grandparents think they know better than you, but follow your own instincts, it's your kid not theirs. Also a lot of what they know is outdated, for example my mom was certain that you should bite their fingernails rather than file them.

[Hammertime]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I'm not sure this one is true, and I would argue the counter point. Grandparents think they know better than you, but follow your own instincts, it's your kid not theirs. Also a lot of what they know is outdated, for example my mom was certain that you should bite their fingernails rather than file them.

I agree with you. That's why I said sometimes.

Not every issue or disagreement is a hill to die on. I tried at the beginning, and then realized some issues like safety, eg. sleeping on back instead of stomach, were more important than others.

[GreenLantern]

Well he's coming a bit earlier than planned but that's ok. Wife just got induced now the waiting game. This is the hardest part, right? Right?!?!?

[GreenLantern]

Well he's coming a bit earlier than planned but that's ok. Wife just got induced now the waiting game. This is the hardest part, right? Right?!?!?

[wooohooo]

Congrats man! My wife got induced at around 2 pm and we had an emergency c section at 11:27 pm. Happened so fast. But my wife got an epidural at around 7 and she said that was the best thing she's ever done. Went from pain to feeling like you're on a beach.

And now she's 6 weeks and sleeping right next to me. It's pretty amazing. But if your baby is colicy and doesn't sleep well, good luck man.

Our baby sleeps so good, at night we put her down full of milk at around 11-12 and she's out for 4 hours then my wife will breastfeed her for 10 minutes and she's out for another 2 so sleeps been fine for us.

The hardest part for me was our first few nights in the hospital. Being in the hospital for 4 days really sucked. Not sleeping because of a crying baby sucked even more. But that was because we didn't know how to breastfeed and all the doctors were just saying no formula, breast feed only. We just couldn't take it after a full day and have her formula and voila, she stopped instantly and we all slept for 2 hours. That was the best 2 hours of my life.

The nurses were a hit and a miss, we had alot of younger nurses and they didn't know about how to feed, so our sister in law came and showed my wife how to do it. It wasn't an easy process but now we're doing a split between breast feeding and bottle (breast as well).

You just need to do what's best for the sanity of your wife and you. Oh yeah, also having our in laws for a whole month was a God send for us. Just getting a break for a few hours just to go out did us a huge favor. Or not needing to get groceries, cook, clean etc. At least for us it was.

Good luck man! You guys will get the greatest parents to the most special little one. I'm still amazed at the birthing process. But they are so worth it. And I am so glad I am not a woman.

Sorry this is so disjointed, I'm writing on my phone with my baby in one arm LoL

[Hockeyguy15]

One more thing to remember, nothing is forever.

Honestly babies change so often it's crazy. We had a rough week (I think around 6 weeks) where he was sleeping for like an hour at a time and would only be happy if he was being held, then one day it was like a light switch was flipped and he was sleeping for 4 hours no problem.

Don't get too low, bad times pass. When you're in a good period relish it and take advantage until the next rough time.

[Hemi-Cuda]

My daughter just turned 3 months, and for every night this weekend has suddenly been able to sleep for 6 hours straight before needing to be fed. Makes such a huge different in the sleep we get, as now my wife can pump right before bed and not have to worry about it until the next morning. She's also a tough little girl, managed to do a barrel roll off the couch while we were distracted for a moment and went head first, thankfully to carpet. She wailed for a few seconds, but after some comforting was smiling and doing more baby talk. We were more freaked out than she was, it's an important lesson to learn that they go from basically a stationary object to one that can squirm into trouble almost overnight. The actual crawling phase should be interesting

[Two Fivenagame]

Had such an awesome day with my little girl. We were outside pretty much all day, playing with her friends, crawling around the yard, exploring, throwing rocks, chasing balls, climbing on everything, splashing in the water....

At the end of the day my 15 month old daughter was completely filthy. We're talking caked with mud, grass, and sunscreen from head to toe.

Gave her a quick bath and barely finished her bedtime story before she passed out on her daddy.

Pretty sure both of us will fall asleep with a grin tonight.

Today was one of the best days of my life.

[GreenLantern]

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday. My wife was diagnosed pre eclampsia on Tuesday and her blood pressure had reached as high as 170/118, we were admitted to the high risk ward and she was immediately put on some drugs to prevent seizures and was closely monitored with bp measurements every 15 minutes for the next 24 hours while they worked on it. So I knew this delivery wouldn't be roses... but..

Eventually they induced as it was no longer safe for baby in there, problem is when the contraptions started the babies bp would plummet for whatever reason, it got to the point there was a njnch of nurses and doctors just watching the monitor waiting for it to rebound... or not. I say there watching it for about 4 hours and it was hell. Then they decided she had to push, but as she pushed it got worse and babies heart rate bottomed out and they couldn't find it on the monitor, the call went up they ran for doctors, and all I could do was stand there and watch. The specialist came in and took control, vacuumed baby out, but to do so they had to give my wife third grade tears, she was losing a lot of blood and now bahy, being 4 weeks premature and with lungs full of liquid, was struggling to breath, so the nicu was called immediately.

The good news was that his heart was healthy, so that was a relief. While I listened to him weeze on one side of the room my wife's bp plummeted to from 150/105 to 70/50 in a matter of minutes, she was losing a lot of bloood. I'm not a doctor but the panic was clear, I didn't know what the hell to do, my wife's losing consciousness bleeding out calling my name asking how the baby is, my baby Is struggling to breath with people working on him, it was the worst moment of my life. Luckily the staff was amazing and they were able to pull both through, we aren't out of the woods yet but we're on the mend and hoping to be able to leave the high risk ward by tomorrow. We're going on hour 78 straight here in the hospital, it's starting to get a little old but I understand and appreciate the necessity to stay. At the end of it all I was fortunate enough to receive a beautiful baby boy, while a bit tiny at 5 lbs, 12 ounces, William Theodore is a pintiszed power house and I already can't remember what my life was like without him. Best moment of my life was when he came out and they plopped him down my wife's chest.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday. My wife was diagnosed pre eclampsia on Tuesday and her blood pressure had reached as high as 170/118, we were admitted to the high risk ward and she was immediately put on some drugs to prevent seizures and was closely monitored with bp measurements every 15 minutes for the next 24 hours while they worked on it. So I knew this delivery wouldn't be roses... but..

Eventually they induced as it was no longer safe for baby in there, problem is when the contraptions started the babies bp would plummet for whatever reason, it got to the point there was a njnch of nurses and doctors just watching the monitor waiting for it to rebound... or not. I say there watching it for about 4 hours and it was hell. Then they decided she had to push, but as she pushed it got worse and babies heart rate bottomed out and they couldn't find it on the monitor, the call went up they ran for doctors, and all I could do was stand there and watch. The specialist came in and took control, vacuumed baby out, but to do so they had to give my wife third grade tears, she was losing a lot of blood and now bahy, being 4 weeks premature and with lungs full of liquid, was struggling to breath, so the nicu was called immediately.

The good news was that his heart was healthy, so that was a relief. While I listened to him weeze on one side of the room my wife's bp plummeted to from 150/105 to 70/50 in a matter of minutes, she was losing a lot of bloood. I'm not a doctor but the panic was clear, I didn't know what the hell to do, my wife's losing consciousness bleeding out calling my name asking how the baby is, my baby Is struggling to breath with people working on him, it was the worst moment of my life. Luckily the staff was amazing and they were able to pull both through, we aren't out of the woods yet but we're on the mend and hoping to be able to leave the high risk ward by tomorrow. We're going on hour 78 straight here in the hospital, it's starting to get a little old but I understand and appreciate the necessity to stay. At the end of it all I was fortunate enough to receive a beautiful baby boy, while a bit tiny at 5 lbs, 12 ounces, William Theodore is a pintiszed power house and I already can't remember what my life was like without him. Best moment of my life was when he came out and they plopped him down my wife's chest.

Sweet Moses; I shouldn't have read this at work (eyes might be watering). Glad to hear the little guy is doing well. I can't imagine the hell you went through.

I didn't get to be there for the birth of my little one (emergency c-section and they had to knock her out as the spinal didn't take so I wan't allowed in the OR).

Hope this is the only setback. My wife was 4 weeks premature (may have been longer) and weighed less than your little one. I'm no expert but I'd assume the worst is over.

Being a dad is the best. Nothing compares. Congrats!

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday. My wife was diagnosed pre eclampsia on Tuesday and her blood pressure had reached as high as 170/118, we were admitted to the high risk ward and she was immediately put on some drugs to prevent seizures and was closely monitored with bp measurements every 15 minutes for the next 24 hours while they worked on it. So I knew this delivery wouldn't be roses... but..

Eventually they induced as it was no longer safe for baby in there, problem is when the contraptions started the babies bp would plummet for whatever reason, it got to the point there was a njnch of nurses and doctors just watching the monitor waiting for it to rebound... or not. I say there watching it for about 4 hours and it was hell. Then they decided she had to push, but as she pushed it got worse and babies heart rate bottomed out and they couldn't find it on the monitor, the call went up they ran for doctors, and all I could do was stand there and watch. The specialist came in and took control, vacuumed baby out, but to do so they had to give my wife third grade tears, she was losing a lot of blood and now bahy, being 4 weeks premature and with lungs full of liquid, was struggling to breath, so the nicu was called immediately.

The good news was that his heart was healthy, so that was a relief. While I listened to him weeze on one side of the room my wife's bp plummeted to from 150/105 to 70/50 in a matter of minutes, she was losing a lot of bloood. I'm not a doctor but the panic was clear, I didn't know what the hell to do, my wife's losing consciousness bleeding out calling my name asking how the baby is, my baby Is struggling to breath with people working on him, it was the worst moment of my life. Luckily the staff was amazing and they were able to pull both through, we aren't out of the woods yet but we're on the mend and hoping to be able to leave the high risk ward by tomorrow. We're going on hour 78 straight here in the hospital, it's starting to get a little old but I understand and appreciate the necessity to stay. At the end of it all I was fortunate enough to receive a beautiful baby boy, while a bit tiny at 5 lbs, 12 ounces, William Theodore is a pintiszed power house and I already can't remember what my life was like without him. Best moment of my life was when he came out and they plopped him down my wife's chest.

Congrats man!

Sorry to hear it was so stressful.

I got two (3 y.o and 4 month old) and wife had c-section with the first and natural birth with the second and I thought those times were stressful, what do I know.

Hang in there, everything is going to be OK.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday. My wife was diagnosed pre eclampsia on Tuesday and her blood pressure had reached as high as 170/118, we were admitted to the high risk ward and she was immediately put on some drugs to prevent seizures and was closely monitored with bp measurements every 15 minutes for the next 24 hours while they worked on it. So I knew this delivery wouldn't be roses... but..

Eventually they induced as it was no longer safe for baby in there, problem is when the contraptions started the babies bp would plummet for whatever reason, it got to the point there was a njnch of nurses and doctors just watching the monitor waiting for it to rebound... or not. I say there watching it for about 4 hours and it was hell. Then they decided she had to push, but as she pushed it got worse and babies heart rate bottomed out and they couldn't find it on the monitor, the call went up they ran for doctors, and all I could do was stand there and watch. The specialist came in and took control, vacuumed baby out, but to do so they had to give my wife third grade tears, she was losing a lot of blood and now bahy, being 4 weeks premature and with lungs full of liquid, was struggling to breath, so the nicu was called immediately.

The good news was that his heart was healthy, so that was a relief. While I listened to him weeze on one side of the room my wife's bp plummeted to from 150/105 to 70/50 in a matter of minutes, she was losing a lot of bloood. I'm not a doctor but the panic was clear, I didn't know what the hell to do, my wife's losing consciousness bleeding out calling my name asking how the baby is, my baby Is struggling to breath with people working on him, it was the worst moment of my life. Luckily the staff was amazing and they were able to pull both through, we aren't out of the woods yet but we're on the mend and hoping to be able to leave the high risk ward by tomorrow. We're going on hour 78 straight here in the hospital, it's starting to get a little old but I understand and appreciate the necessity to stay. At the end of it all I was fortunate enough to receive a beautiful baby boy, while a bit tiny at 5 lbs, 12 ounces, William Theodore is a pintiszed power house and I already can't remember what my life was like without him. Best moment of my life was when he came out and they plopped him down my wife's chest.

Holy #### dude. That is a scary and incredible story. Good on you being strong for your wife and baby. My wife is due in 3 months and this is my top nightmare.

[habernac]

Great stuff, Green Lantern!

For our first born, labour was quick, our son was born healthy and happy, everything was great. We went home the next day, all was well. When David was 7 days old, my wife started to hemorrhage. I sped to the hospital, she was turning white. I parked on the sidewalk, got her into emergency. Nothing gets you checked in quicker than a pool of blood following you in the door.

Staff were amazing. I was panicking as a new dad. Horrible thoughts in my head, my wife can't die, we just became parents. What will I do?? She came out of surgery a couple of hours later and was just fine. Scariest two hours of my life. I thought I was going to lose her.

Poor woman hemorrhaged through her next 2 pregnancies as well. At least we were prepared for those ones. I'm not surprised many women died at childbirth before there was good medical care, it doesn't take much for something to go drastically wrong.

[Russic]

So happy to hear that ended better than it started. Obviously we don't want to freak out CroFlames, but my wife had some similar troubles but nowhere near what you had. The doctors and nurses were superheroes.

[indes]

People joke that every man dreams of having the life of his wife and kids.

I think it's less of a joke and more of a goal

[loob job]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday. My wife was diagnosed pre eclampsia on Tuesday and her blood pressure had reached as high as 170/118, we were admitted to the high risk ward and she was immediately put on some drugs to prevent seizures and was closely monitored with bp measurements every 15 minutes for the next 24 hours while they worked on it. So I knew this delivery wouldn't be roses... but..

Eventually they induced as it was no longer safe for baby in there, problem is when the contraptions started the babies bp would plummet for whatever reason, it got to the point there was a njnch of nurses and doctors just watching the monitor waiting for it to rebound... or not. I say there watching it for about 4 hours and it was hell. Then they decided she had to push, but as she pushed it got worse and babies heart rate bottomed out and they couldn't find it on the monitor, the call went up they ran for doctors, and all I could do was stand there and watch. The specialist came in and took control, vacuumed baby out, but to do so they had to give my wife third grade tears, she was losing a lot of blood and now bahy, being 4 weeks premature and with lungs full of liquid, was struggling to breath, so the nicu was called immediately.

The good news was that his heart was healthy, so that was a relief. While I listened to him weeze on one side of the room my wife's bp plummeted to from 150/105 to 70/50 in a matter of minutes, she was losing a lot of bloood. I'm not a doctor but the panic was clear, I didn't know what the hell to do, my wife's losing consciousness bleeding out calling my name asking how the baby is, my baby Is struggling to breath with people working on him, it was the worst moment of my life. Luckily the staff was amazing and they were able to pull both through, we aren't out of the woods yet but we're on the mend and hoping to be able to leave the high risk ward by tomorrow. We're going on hour 78 straight here in the hospital, it's starting to get a little old but I understand and appreciate the necessity to stay. At the end of it all I was fortunate enough to receive a beautiful baby boy, while a bit tiny at 5 lbs, 12 ounces, William Theodore is a pintiszed power house and I already can't remember what my life was like without him. Best moment of my life was when he came out and they plopped him down my wife's chest.

Hey dude, I know what you are going through, my wife lost her entire body's blood in one minute after giving birth, multiple transfusions and a couple days in a coma in icu. Horrible. All good now though, baby is 2.5 years and life is good. If she gave birth at home the doctor said she would have died in minutes. Anyhoo, all good now, glad all is good with you, I know what you went through.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Russic

So happy to hear that ended better than it started. Obviously we don't want to freak out CroFlames, but my wife had some similar troubles but nowhere near what you had. The doctors and nurses were superheroes.

Nah don't even worry about it. I've been freaking out for the past six months steady, even without these posts.

[woob]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

So I had the best and worst day of my life yesterday.

Wow.. That must have been insane to go through. I'm glad everyone is stable and heading towards recovery. Congratulations on becoming a dad!

Our boy had the same thing when the wife pushed, dropping heart rate. He, too, got vacuumed out which resulted in one third degree tear, but thankfully not a lot of blood loss. He had the cord wrapped around his neck and there was a brief "oh no" as he was completely motionless and silent when he came out, but once they got the cord unwrapped he started crying right away. Best sound I've ever heard.

Watching my wife go through all of that was truly amazing to witness. She is a strong, strong woman. I, on the other hand, was a blubbering, tears streaming down my cheeks mess when the little guy came out. Instant love.

As far as advice, do sleep training if you have a baby who doesn't sleep well. We found a method that suited us, applied and stuck to it, and 4 nights later he was sleeping through the night. That was a huge positive for us.

Good luck to all the new parents!

[Galakanokis]

Congrats on the new addition GreenLantern. Sorry to hear about all the difficulties but glad to know all are doing well.

I have an incredible amount of respect for doctors and nurses and can never say enough good things about them. My wife spent nearly 2 months in the hospital before the birth of my boy ending with an emergency C section and another 3 or 4 weeks in NICU. Nearly 4 months, early September to Christmas and the staff at Royal Columbian were amazing the entire time. The NICU at Royal Columbian is always on my donation list.

And I am continuously amazed at the strength of mothers. They can go through hell and back, literally nearly die and act like it ain't no thing when that little baby is in their arms. It's truly amazing.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

I wish I knew this sooner...