| Maybe take a look at Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care (latest edition). Great book with good advice. My personal experience: 1. Prepare to be exhausted for a long time (about 2 years) - you can't do much about it, this is just the way it is. After 18 months it will get better. 2. Support your partner as much as possible - she's proably even more exhausted and keep watching the emotions (postpartum depression is underestimated) 3. Try to involve the grandparents to help you as much as they can, if possible. 4. Don't force your child too sleep or try to apply techniques that sound weird (like leaving your child crying until it sleeps or put it into another room). This is not the right way... some children do sleep well and some don't. Hope for the best and take care as much as possible. 5. Hold your child as much as possible, skin to skin. It will improve the relationship. Best case cuddle together with every member of the family. 6. Listen to your heart. If something doesn't feel right (even if everybody is telling you to do so), it's probably wrong. 7. If it's possible, breastfeeding is the best a child can get. Don't force the child into stopping after 6 months... just keep going as long as you (or your partner can). 7b. Later, try to cook healthy (oat flakes, vegetables, a few fruits) - as little sugar as possible. 8. Prevent stress wherever you can. Cook more than one meal at a time, organise your day to have breaks. 9. Spend time with your family. Work may be fulfilling, but you can never go back in time to see your child grow up. Try to get some time with your partner alone - this is more important than you may notice. 10. Don't be to hard to yourself. There will be times you can't follow all these rules. You will be angry, scream, argue, etc. It's ok as long as it is not too much. |