What's the best bit about having a newborn?

[Koalafications]

I'm 21 weeks pregnant with my first DC and have heard nothing but horror stories and birth, having a newborn and how I won't ever have time to have a shower or tidy my housemate, EVER AGAIN!! I absolutely accept this, I just want to hear something good about saving a newborn.

Tell me some lovely things about having a newborn, please?

They smell incredible. Oh man.

That they grow out of being newborns

Sorry, know it's not helpful but more of a toddler person!

Listening to their little snuffley breaths, their lovely baby smell, tiny fingers and tiny toes, soft skin and hair. I could go on

They do smell nice, especially their heads. My favourite bit is the wee yawns they do and the way they snuggle on you to sleep.

Tiny little fingers and toes. And the way they sometimes look blearily at you and sometimes look as though they're the wisest little things in the world.

Baths and cuddles. And they can't run away

And not being pregnant any more. That's pretty good.

Sleeping baby cuddles while watching Grey's Anatomy

Stretches and long sleepy cuddles.

Being able to paint to your toenails again and trim your lady garden!

The smell for sure.
Once you get past the no sleep, baby gets a bit happier you get all the best bits.

Ds is 5 weeks and he's started smiling which is the cutest thing ever, pulling other funny faces.
He does this funny wriggle thing too when he's chilling on the floor.

Ohhh the snuggly sleeps when they sprawl all over you, with their heads in perfect sniffing and stroking distance. And the little sighs they do. And how very very soft their skin and hair is. Their teeny tiny feet and hands. Newborns are gorgeous, and a lot less hard work than toddlers! It's just that first time around, you really don't know that!

The drunk milk face!

My goodness! My OP is littered with mistakes

I meant to say

"horror stories about birth and having a newborn"

"tidy my house" no idea who on earth my 'housemate' is

"something good about having a newborn" not sure why a newborn would need to be 'saved' but I imagine if they did, it would always be a good thing to save them!

And the visitors who come with cake.

Nibbling their tootsies!

All of it! Newborns are the best, there are no bad bits. Savour every moment because it doesn't last long!

Oh they are lovely. Sitting watching shit telly, breast feeding a tiny gorgeous baby all day while someone fetches you food and drinks. Little old ladies cooing over you in shops. Choosing cute little clothes and toys. Watching them change every day. Waiting for the first smile. Sharing a bath with them. Letting them sleep on your chest like a gorgeous hot water bottle.
I'm not broody - much! Lucky you

Guilt free afternoons lazing on the sofa having cuddles eating cake. I wish I'd embraced it more with my first rather than worrying about all the things I thought needed doing.

First off I love your autocorrect of tidying your housemate :)

Newborns love to sleep on you. I dare say lots of people will say this gives them bad habits but it's actually lovely to have a little baby happy and comfy enough to cuddle into you and sleep. And they won't do it for very long before they get too big and wriggly.

They have some cute and funny reflexes including grasping with fingers AND with toes.

They're very portable.

Usually they sleep a lot at the beginning.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll love it when you get there and with any difficult bits, remember time does go so fast and things are always changing with babies and children. Every day is a New Day...

Everything. It was my favourite stage.
The smell of their heads.
The downy hair.
The deep wisdom of their eyes.
The way they curl up on your tummy like they know they're home.
The snuffling.
The way they bump their little heads against you when they're hungry.
The curl of their fingers around yours.
The wispy hair on the back of their neck.
Milky breath.
The way they fit perfectly on your lap from knee to groin, iykwim.
Their backs. I know it sounds weird, but those perfect, smooth little backs with that strong spine used to fascinate me.

Lucky thing. Enjoy your baby.

Nothing nicer than holding a sleeping newborn, bliss!!!

Yes it's hard work but it's also the best thing that could ever happen to you, your house might be a tip and you might be sat in your pj's but you'll realise once your little one arrives that none of that matters. They grow so quickly just enjoy every moment :) It's amazing when they smile at you for the first time, giggle, roll over..it's so much fun my dd is 7 months now and is developing a lovely little character :) Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and enjoy those newborn snuggles!

I'm expecting DC2 and I have a crazed toddler. I can honestly say that I did NOT APPRECIATE the sleepy calm of a newborn (especially from 6 weeks onwards) first time around. It's nice. They're warm and snuggly. This time around i expect it won't be quite so peaceful.

Everything everyone else said, they grow up so quick so just forget about the house and all that and just enjoy the cuddles, sounds and smells. Tiny baby cuddles are the best.

The heels of their feet - they look like maoams (or however you spell those chewy sweets)

Baby yawns! Newborn startle reflex, cute and hilarious. Tiny baby sleeping on your chest. And then the first time they actually properly notice you, maybe even smile, and it knocks you sideways all over again and you realise what you've been doing all those night feeds and nappies for.