First time parent advice, tips, tricks, etc.

[derpyherky]

Ok ok ok... my first serious post on CF perhaps?

Anyway, my wife and I are expecting our first child next year, the cyclone family is getting one more fan! Just passed one of the first milestones where we can start to tell family and friends. I know there are many ways and opinions about how to raise a child and not looking to get into that in this thread. What I'm looking for is for other CF faithfuls to offer any helpful tricks, tips, recommendations, products, or lessons learned from everyone else's experiences during the pregnancy stage and first year. I'm already buckled in for the roller coaster ride.

Do's/Don'ts/Must haves?

Are there any good new dad groups in the Ames/DSM area or forums that are good?

Mercy vs Methodist Medical Center vs Methodist West? Mercy and Methodist West are pretty much the same time and distance from our house. We've heard Methodist West has one of the best and comfortable maternity wards in the metro area (for non-high risk).

We have a Sam's membership but I've heard target and/or costco is a better option when looking to save on baby products like diapers and wipes due to better quality. We plan on signing up for Target, Prime, and a few other registries to get some free products to try.

Sadly, we will probably have to give up our season tickets to FB games. ~$1500/year is a lot when looking at potential day care and baby costs. I don't think taking a young baby to FB games sounds like a good time.


Thanks,
DerpyHerky



Postscript:
No gender reveal party will take place, that stuffs a farce. Our gender reveal party will be the obgyn telling us the gender.

 

[Isualum13]

Don't shake it.

 

[Isualum13]

Also congratulations.

 

[ScottyP]

I would recommend downtown Methodist or Mercy because they have a NICU. I heard rumors of Methodist West getting one soon, but not sure when.

 

[derpyherky]

I would recommend downtown Methodist or Mercy because they have a NICU. I heard rumors of Methodist West getting one soon, but not sure when.

That is the one downfall of Methodist West from our research and initial info. They will transfer you to Blank's for free, if needed though.

 

[3TrueFans]

You're going to **** everything up at first but they're still going to be fine so don't kill yourself over it. Accept help from family and friends when you can get it to try to keep your sanity. The baby is going to be good and get tons of love and attention regardless, don't forget to take some time for you and your wife sometimes. That **** can get real stressful sometimes.

 

[mdk2isu]

We used the UnityPoint Midwives for both of our girls and had a great experience both times. I would recommend them to anyone.

 

[CoachHines3]

shoulda pulld out

 

[NoCreativity]

The maternity ward at Mercy downtown is top notch. Wherever you decided to go I would sign up for classes as soon as you can. I think we took them about 4 months before our baby was due.

You can save alot of money at Costco, their Kirkland formula is half price what Similac is and is basically the same formula. We buy the Kirkland wipes in bulk also.

Be prepared for some frustrating first few weeks if you are used to getting a full nights sleep without interruptions. We had to sleep in shifts just to maintain sanity. It's challenging but once they start sleeping through the night you can finally start sleeping normally again.

You can take babies to games. We took ours to her first game at 3 months, but we had the luxury of being inside in climate control that others might not have. She pretty much slept through the entire thing.

Oh, and if you can afford a Doula I highly recommend it.

 

[CtownCyclone]

That is the one downfall of Methodist West from our research and initial info. They will transfer you to Blank's for free, if needed though.

If your baby needs to be in the NICU, you want them to be able to be whisked right to it without leaving the building. Just my $0.02 on that.

 

[CtownCyclone]

You're going to **** everything up at first but they're still going to be fine so don't kill yourself over it. Accept help from family and friends when you can get it to try to keep your sanity. The baby is going to be good and get tons of love and attention regardless, don't forget to take some time for you and your wife sometimes. That **** can get real stressful sometimes.

This is the TL;DR of advice for newborns.

 

[Gonzo]

Congrats!

When you're getting close to the delivery date, make sure your car always has enough gas to get to the hospital.

 

[JP4CY]

Pack bags at least a month before due date.
Look for day cares NOW.
Start looking into 529s.
Get any lingering house chores done.
Don't buy too many clothes too early. You'll be gifted a lot.
Get a good bassinet if they'll be in your room for months.
Stock up on quick snack able items for preggo to eat now/if she's gonna nurse: granola bars, cracker packs, gummies.
Decide on a name before the hospital.
Don't be afraid to tell people your aren't taking visitors.

Enjoy the little time. It goes by faaaaaaaaast.

Don't name your kid Hayden.

 

[cyfanatic]

Greatest enjoyments in my life are a result of my children and they are young (8, 6 and 3)! Enjoy it...laugh a lot! I overreact at dumb things too often as a parent. Yeah...parenting is stressful and frustrating and tiring! But so far...it has been awesome! Congrats to you and your wife!!

PS - sleep as well as you can now...because sleep (or lack of it) will never be the same! Your kids will always be on your mind...sleep has been very different since I have had children!

 

[CoachHines3]

shoulda pulld out

hey @derpyherky dont dislike!

in all honesty, congrats from coach hines

 

[ScottyP]

Here are a few of my recommendations:
Make sure to have a routine/schedule for your child, putting her to bed around the same time and having naps around the same time helps the baby sleep better;

Avoid pajamas and outfits with a bunch of snap buttons because you always end up missing one. Go with the zipper ones instead.

Make sure you have someone that knows a lot about car seats help you install them. Bob Brown has an event periodically to help you install them and fire departments can help as well.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Congrats!

I also recommend going the Mercy or Methodist downtown route. We delivered both of our little Brasky's at Mercy and had a great experience. Someone already mentioned it but definitely get signed up for classes sooner rather than later because they fill up fast.

Don't buy name brand formula, the Target and Costco brands are the exact same thing.

 

[Cat Stevens]

Whatever you do, NEVER EVER forget to pick them up from school/daycare/etc.

And if you do, do not post here about forgetting to pick them up. Twice.

 

[3GenClone]

I would recommend downtown Methodist or Mercy because they have a NICU. I heard rumors of Methodist West getting one soon, but not sure when.

Downtown is the way to go. My youngest was born in Mercy downtown had some complications. There's an elevator that took us directly from our room to the NICU which was "nice" (can't think of a better word - there was nothing really nice about that experience) because my wife wasn't discharged from the hospital yet. She was still able to travel back and forth between NICU and Maternity during those 2 days until she was discharged, which was actually a great peace of mind. I would have hated to see what would have happened if we were stuck out West and our child had to travel downtown without her mother.

 

[JP4CY]

Here are a few of my recommendations:
Make sure to have a routine/schedule for your child, putting her to bed around the same time and having naps around the same time helps the baby sleep better;

Avoid pajamas and outfits with a bunch of snap buttons because you always end up missing one. Go with the zipper ones instead.

Make sure you have someone that knows a lot about car seats help you install them. Bob Brown has an event periodically to help you install them and fire departments can help as well.

Unless its a onesie with 3 snaps by the taint, stay far away. For sleepers get the zippers that still keep it attached at the top. So you can get the legs out, but keep the chest and neck covered.