20 ‘Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me’ Before Having A Baby

A brand new father has shared the ten things that he would have liked to know before having a baby, and followed it up with ten things his wife wished she had known too.

Imgur user joltjones took to the internet recently, fresh after becoming a dad for the very first time, with a revealing list of ‘those things I wish someone had told me.’

The lists take us back to those first few moments of becoming parents for the first time, revealing the new parents’ shell-shocked amazement at what they’ve just been through and what they’ve learnt. You can almost picture precisely what their recent experience was like through their words.

Lessons of a brand new dad, to other soon to be dads.

1. Babies are strong as shit.
2. It’s amazing how particular someone who’s hours old can be.
3. You’re not ready.
4. The human body can be a disgustingly beautiful thing.
5. As a man, and to expectant fathers, you’re gonna cry… deal with it.
6. Set boundaries with family quick… Yes, new grandparents are excited too, but this is you and the mother’s game, and they need to play by your rules.
7. You and your significant other are not experts, be ready for a nurse to explain how wrong you are about something.
8. Go to bat for the mum… she’s gonna do some tough shit that’s gonna be nothing short of badass, and emotions can and will get the better of her. You’re the gate keeper.
9. Be patience… with your SO, with the baby, and with medical staff.
10. Back to dealing with family, understand that there is a really good chance your gonna hurt someone’s feelings… it’s undoubtedly going to happen, they can deal with it.

And now, from my wife…

Lessons of a brand new mum to soon to be mothers.

1. Don’t wish your pregnancy away, you will miss your belly.
2. Pushing is no joke.
3. Listen to your nurses, and if you don’t like one… don’t be afraid to speak up.
4. Sleep as much as you can when you’re pregnant, cause when that baby comes out you’re gonna be the most tired you’ve ever been in your entire life.
5. Not everyone is gonna wash their hands, speak up.
6. It’s ok to cry… hormones will get you… if you feel like crying, do it. Take a step back and focus on what’s most important, and what’s most important to you in that moment.
7. Hold the baby every chance you get, cause when family is around you won’t get much of a chance to hold it.
8. After birth you’re gonna be more thirsty than you’ve ever been in your life… don’t be afraid to ask for whatever you want.
9. Make sure you know where your barf bag is.
10. After the baby comes… rest. Let others help, and rest.

The new parents are absolutely spot on, and capture the experience of becoming parents perfectly! Of course, new entries will need to be added to their lists rapidly as they experience the joys of nurturing their baby through the first weeks and months. This is by no means a definitive list, as the new father explains.

“I never wanted to sound like I thought this was sage advice that must be heeded since now that I’ve been a father for 72 hours I’m a pro… actually I just felt like sharing, and the response that I’ve received has been more than amazing.”

“We had our little boy, Jack on the 14th of December. He was a beast when he came out, at 20 inches and 8lbs 13oz. We’re happy, he’s healthy… and the three of us are about to go home and start this new adventure.”

It just goes to show that no matter how prepared you think you might be, having a baby is always full of unexpected emotions and lessons!

Source: Imgur/joltjones