I'm a Dad!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

104. Congratulations!!!

Two pieces of free advice as the mother of a now grown daughter:

1. If Mom can breastfeed at all, please do so. As long as possible. I breastfed my child until she weaned herself at two and a half. She got solid food as well, at the appropriate age. My husband, my mother and my mother in law all gave me holy hell for it. I asked them, "Have YOU ever nursed a baby? No? Well then shut up!"

So they shut up. My daughter is much healthier than I am. I was raised on soymilk formula in the 1950s and have a terrible immune system. And if Mom has to go back to work, baby can get formula at the babysitter's, if it's not convenient for mom to pump and refrigerate.

2. Have the baby sleep with you for several months. When I had my baby, she slept with me and her father. She was warm, she was secure. When she woke up hungry, I just put her at the breast, and we both went back to sleep. Problem solved. Nobody had to get up and fix a bottle and lose any sleep.

Now if either one of you is a large person, and are afraid of rolling over on the baby, then get a bed you can put right next to yours. Don't let the kid sleep alone and cry all night. That is not natural and not good for momma, daddy or baby.

I'm a nut about breastfeeding and sleeping with your baby. It worked for me. YMMV.

Again, congratulations on the arrival of the new love of your life!

And please tell Momma, often, how proud of her you are for going through the ordeal of birth and getting through it ok, mentally and physically. That's important for you to do. It really is a great accomplishment to have a healthy mom and healthy baby. That's why we have medical science to help us.