You can read all the books, search all the articles, watch all the YouTube videos… but nothing beats advice coming from real people who have been in your shoes! Especially when it comes to the big topics, like becoming a parent for the first time.
We recently posted a blog full of tips that the mamas of Little Sleepies wish they knew as new moms, and we absolutely loved what they had to share. So, this Father’s Day, we decided to look for a little dadvice close to home, too!
From sleeping in shifts to finding the perfect carrier, helping your partner to protecting naps at all costs, here’s what Sandeep (our CEO), Jonny (a marketing manager), and Greir (our tech wizard) wish they had known when they first became dads — in their own words.
Prep for unexpected aches and pains
“Everyone warned me about the middle of the night wake ups, but I was not prepared for how much back pain I would get from lifting my newborn up and down! Tip: make sure the changing table is on an elevated surface and have ice packs handy!”
Find *your* perfect baby carrier
“A quality and comfortable baby carrier is a must have, and the one that works for your partner may not fit you or be as comfortable. So, don't hesitate to have a couple around the house and find the one that works well for you. I've made dinner, done chores, been on work calls with the baby strapped to me. Nothing puts the baby to sleep faster than your heartbeat and bouncy movement.”
Treasure every tug and pull
“Time with little ones is more precious than you'll ever know, and you only learn this with age. Enjoy the pulling, shouting, tugging, and a little person that looks to you for everything.”
Protect naps at all costs
“A happy baby is a rested baby, a non-overtired baby, and a fed baby. Pay attention to and understand your baby's cues to get them down before they're overtired. Make sure they’re as comfy as possible (Little Sleepies definitely helps!) AND keep them down, even if it means contact naps.”
Sleep in shifts, not when the baby sleeps
"’Sleep when the baby sleeps’ works for some but not for most. If you have a partner, try sleeping in shifts — that is a game changer for the first few months. 8pm-2am and 2am-8am is what we did, and it was the difference between having two zombies taking care of a baby vs. having two semi-functional humans.”
Embrace becoming *that* parent
“I'm surprised by how I became THAT parent that shows off pictures of my baby unprompted to just about anyone.”
Track feeds for better sleep
“If you want your baby to sleep, keep track of how much they're eating! I've found that more spaced-out feeds with bigger quantities lead to better uninterrupted sleep. Giving your baby a schedule is also such a gift to them. When babies have a predictable schedule, they tend to worry less and learn to trust. They also put up less of a fuss when it comes to eating, bathing, and sleeping because it's just part of the routine!”
Being a dad is one of life's greatest adventures. These early days might feel overwhelming, but they're also incredibly precious and go by so fast. Treasure every moment — soon enough, you’ll be the one dishing out dadvice!
Want more parenting wisdom from our LS fam? Don’t forget to check out our Mother’s Day blog for even more heartfelt tips from the amazing mamas on our team.
Share your best tips for navigating newborn-life as a dad (or a note to your new-dad self) in the comments below! Each month, we gift one lucky commenter a $50 LS gift card.
