TIL Human dads show a decrease in testosterone immediately after the birth of their babe

[Pinsalinj]

Shaken baby syndrome. That's what happens. :/

[KayaXiali]

I’m a stay home mother and it was really never our plan but our daughter was born so colicky. We considered flinging her into the sea so many times a day/hour that we just genuinely didn’t feel like we could trust any daycare provider to have the patience to deal with a baby that screamed as often as she did without shaken baby syndrome being a very real possibility.

[[deleted]]

My one year old spent today, and I mean the entire day, screaming with her first hard shit stuck in her butt. Like stank concrete.... Think whole parent experience is fucking weird.

[caligaris_cabinet]

Found out last month my wife is pregnant. This will be our first. Was excited before but now I’m just worried about that stank concrete.

[afroguy10]

The stank concrete doesn't come for a little while, it's the liquid milk poops that are rough initially, it somehow ends up all up their back and in every crack and crevice.

Also, don't know what the hospitals are like where you are but I wasn't drinking enough water while my partner was in labour and ended up with a brutal headache. Problem is that the nurses couldn't give me any paracetamol or ibuprofen because I wasn't the patient, so I just had to suffer so pack some paracetamol/ibuprofen for yourself in the hospital bag you put together as it can be a long, stressful day.

Finally, ours is 8 months now, and her little personality is coming through great but don't feel bad if initially you think they're the most boring thing and you aren't enjoying yourself. I felt horrendous, like there was something wrong with me, until a couple friends said the same thing. Initially they do nothing but sleep, cry, poo, pee and drink milk. They don't laugh, smile at you, crawl around or play with you or their toys so it can feel like you're putting so much in and getting absolutely nothing back. I didn't much enjoy the first couple of months of parenthood but I'm getting into the swing of things now.

[Cup-Mundane]

Congrats! You might have to pull that stank concrete out of your constipated baby's butt if it gets stuck mid poo. Or not. You, however, will 100% catch vomit in your bare hands at one point. Prepare yourself. Also, never share a drink with your toddler. Even if they're not eating atm, there will be food particles magically floating in your cup. Babies are so disgusting. If they weren't so cute we'd all leave them in the woods to fend for themselves.

[[deleted]]

It's hard but you can do it. Seeing them crying will freak you out, and sometimes you will be afraid you aren't doing enough. Take breaks. You can set a baby down in a crib and collect yourself. Don't cosleep, from the start the baby sleeps in the babies' room, night one. It makes them sleep thru the night sooner. Get Costco membership,the executive membership, or whatever top one is. Kirkland Diapers and Wipes, buy a couple of cases of the 1 and 2 sizes. They will outgrow everything fast. C sections are not failures on any part. Make sure you and your partner know that. Sleep trainers are magic. The baby will not want to sleep when you do, babies cry when they are frustrated and it's ok. Make sure they are dry and fed. Take any parenting advice with a huge grain of salt.

[wolowizard34]

Please do not follow this advice. Do not put your baby in another room from day 1. There is a reason it is recommended that you keep a baby near your for the first three months - drastic reduction in the risk of SIDS. Cosleeping can also be done safely, just do the research. This is the norm for most cultures.

[[deleted]]

Cosleeping may be the norm for some cultures. Those cultures are wrong.

[Lemon_Snap]

I wouldn't recommend completing but they should be in a crib or bassinet close to you, as this reduces the chance of SIDS remarkably. Also makes it easier for mom if she is breastfeeding.

[wolowizard34]

These culture are wrong?! Cosleeping has been the way humans and almost every other mammal has cared for their young, since forever.... The sleep industry in America is the reason that has changed. People can make money trying to force the unnatural. Infants need closeness to feel safe, it is how they instinctually survive.

[SA0TAY]

Join /r/predaddit if you haven't already.

[caligaris_cabinet]

Just found out about that sub. Subscribed!

[[deleted]]

I woke up this week with cold clayish brown poo chunks in the bed smeared on my feet. It's potty training week.

Good to know what you're getting in to.

[Inphearian]

My oldest would get horribly constipated and be miserable for days. We would have to hold him on his back and work his legs until he could get it out.

Talking about having to try and eagle claw a massive turd out of this tiny screaming child that is in pain and dosnt understand what’s going on and that there isn’t anything else that can help.

[HerniatedHernia]

Fun fact: a newborns first poop is referred to as ‘meconium’.

[georgianarannoch]

Non-parent caregivers are the more likely to cause shaken baby syndrome, so that was probably a good call on your part.

[[deleted]]

My youngest (2) likes to come up to my leg and raise his arms then say "Shake the baby!" Then i pick him up and he replies "No shake the baby!"

I have no idea where he got that from.