Things I wish I would have known as a FTM

schwabmomma

What things do you wish you would have researched more or had someone explain to you about childbirth and parenting, looking back now?

For me, Breastfeeding was very difficult and although I thought I was prepared (I had taken the class, read the books), I wasn't aware of what obstacles I might encounter and I wasn't prepared emotionally for how hard it was to "fail" at it.

Also, I had a c-section and I was completely unprepared for the experience of it and the recovery. I was so set on having a natural birth that I had done little research about what having a c-section would be like. In that same vein, I was also uneducated about induction- what drugs would be used and how they might work/affect me. I wish I would have done more homework on that.

Lastly, parenting my son has been a complete joy from day one but there are a few things I wish I would have done some reading on before he was born. For instance, when he was 2 days old he had some crystals in his pee diaper and DH and I completely flipped out thinking it was blood and frantically yelled for the nurse. If I would have read more about newborns and less about pregnancy towards my 9th month I would have known about the crystals.

So, what about you FTMs? What do you wish you would have known or researched more?

kleigh926

I wish I would've researched breast feeding more. I took a class and learned the basics, but my situation was so much different than what I was expecting and I had no idea how to handle it. It was one of the biggest challenges in the early days.
I

marionravenwood

I kind of hid my head in the sand too during pregnancy.  However, I did realize how much it would change my life and instead of trying to prepare for it I tried not to think about it.  I did zero reading on babies.  Soooo I wish I would hav

artroyer

The only real thing would be looking at both sides of breastfeeding... the how to do it and how to fail at it. I really wanted to do it so I prepared myself, but I never prepared myself to fail at it. No one really talks about the things that make breastf

Runaway22

Ditto the c-section and induction medications. In fact, my reaction to Cervidil *caused* the c/s. I wish I'd been prepared for that possibility going in.

I also hid my head in the sand re: how much life changes with a newborn. I wish I'd spent m

WinterBenson

I wish I had known that newborns don't just cry for food, when their diaper is dirty, or if they're tired. Sometimes they just cry for no reason. A lot. Would have saved me a ton of frustration. 

SammieJ1113

I wish I would have researched more about c-sections and the recovery as well. I went in preparing myself for a natural birth and barely read about c/s. Also, I wish I took advantage of the nurses offering to take the baby overnight so I can rest. I kept

lorimichelle19

I wish I would have prepared myself more for how different my body would be PP. I was fine with all the changes during pregnancy and I knew that all the weight wouldnt come off immedietly but I wasnt expecting the flabby deflated ballon that is my stom

DublinMama

Absolutely the breast feeding. I ignorantly assumed that it was a natural experience that reflexively happened. Not so much. I wish I had researched and known more, because it was a depressing experience for me for so many reasons. To the point that I

holly321

I too wish I had none more about csections before having dd. I just never imagined I would have one.  I did research the crap out of Vbacs this time.

sararn2004

I'm a STM but the new experience for me was severe gas and colic. It's been so frustrating trying to take foods out of my diet and figuring out if that was the problem. I did learn quite a bit regarding foremilk and hindmilk imbalances though.

Wh

theimpossibleastronaut

I wish I had known how hard breastfeeding would be.

I took classes and read a lot but I never expected to have the issues I have. LO lost too much weight after discharge. We have been supplementing since five days old with formula. I continue

TheNewMrsY

kleigh926:

I wish I would've researched breast feeding more. I took a class and learned the basics, but my situation was so mu

IncogNeato

Can I play as a STM?

I actually wish I had researched baby sleep LESS with DD1. I read every darn book and it stressed me out so badly. Each sleep book claims that if you do what the OTHER book says, you'll destroy your baby for life. Which is no