Three little things that aren’t super useful for newborns (congratulations and enjoy the cuddles!).

If a child ever gives you anything, take it with huge gratitude. It could be a leaf but that’s all they have to give. I have a box of things beside my bed that things they’ve put effort into go in. They love hearing that something is going in “the box”. edit: I frequently do a selfie with them when they gift me something. They also love that.

Try to separate action from person for negative stuff…“that’s naughty” not “you’re naughty” but reverse that for positive things “Thank you! You’re so kind!”

Take lots of photos and lots of videos. They’re so great to look back on.

GOOD LUCK!

Take pictures. They’ll never be that age again.

Seasonal info:

Santa Claus uses different wrapping paper then Mom and Dad use. He buys the good stuff, but after the holidays when it’s marked down. He stores it in the attic where only he can find it.

Single father to a teen here.

Skin to skin contact. It’s a great way to bond with your baby. Take your shirt off and hold them. Talk and sing to them.

Make sure you have plenty of diapers and wipes but don’t buy too much of one size at one time. They grow fast! Also, learn what a blowout is if you don’t know already.

Be ready for messes. On you, them, everywhere!

Take lots of photos and document milestones, silly moments, 1sts etc.

Be patient. There will be rough patches through their life but it’s nothing you can’t get through.

Keep up on Dr’s visits and write a list of questions and concerns that aren’t immediate so you don’t forget.

Check out https://imaginationlibrary.com/ . Dolly Parton started this and they provide educational books from birth to 5 years old, free of charge.

These are ‘later in life’ things but useful nonetheless!

Take interest in anything they’re interested in, even if they’ve already shown you 100 times before.

Always be honest and direct when asked questions because there will be a lot of questions. Some awkward, some silly, some that you may not know and will have to search for.

Teach them to communicate their feelings and how to deal with those feelings.

Teach them life skills early, such as cooking, cleaning etc

You will probably discover that you can’t do as much as you once did. You don’t have enough time and/or you don’t have as much energy. Don’t sweat it. It doesn’t matter. No one is judging you but you, so you can choose not to. Make decisions about what matters, and do those things.

Take care of your health. It’s too easy to ignore your own health, but it’s like putting your own oxygen mask on before you put your kid’s mask on. You need to make sure you’re in the best shape you can be so that you can be there for them.

No two kids are the same. Any specific advice anyone gives should be interpreted as “this worked for me, you will most definitely have different results”.

It will feel like you’re being pushed to your limit because you are. It’s a tempering process. Every day, everything you do will make you stronger.

You will make mistakes. Massive, horrifying mistakes. They will eat at you for years. Let it go. Make sure your kids know you love them. They’ll figure out you weren’t perfect on their own. If they were loved, they’ll forgive you for your mistakes.

I strongly recommend you take that last bit of advice and let it go. If you succeed, let me know how you did it.

Father of a 2.5 yr old here … Have a few friends who just had kids as well… I told them the same shpiel

1. The next few months will be the toughest thing you ever go through (comparable to back to back all nighters in college, but this time it’s for a few months)… Esp if you’re working and don’t have good paternity leave. But after you get over that hump. … It gets a lot better and now you’re in the club where everyone knows what you went through because they’ve been through it too.
2. If your/your partners parents are in the picture and offer to babysit. Take up the offer. Go have a date night with your partner… It’ll relieve a lot of stress
3. If you live in a decent area, go for walks with the little one as often as you can. (in a bassinet/stroller obviously)
4. If you’re in a western country… If you ever feel like you’re doing too little, the littlest amount of effort on your part gets much more props than the amount of effort. Just being there for your new kid and changing every 10th diaper is doing better than 60% of dads out there.
5. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has amnesia about the next 6ish months. They’ll say things like “why are you so tired? I don’t understand!” Or “it wasn’t that bad when we had kids”… It was. They just blocked it out
6. When the kid gets off milk, any spices yall use usually in cooking. Or just generally like that aren’t spicy. Expose it to them ASAP. It does wonders for their pallet and they’ll be less picky in a few years
7. Both you and your partner are stressed. You will fight and hate each other. Don’t make any big life decisions for the next few months.

Hope this helps… Enjoy the journey.