Advice for a baby novice? Trying for our first

[Jodie7774]

Hello! I wasn’t sure which thread to post this in so apologies!

Me and my partner have been together 9+ years. I’m 27 he’s 29. He’s broody. Whatever that means!

Now... I’ll never be broody, I’ve already figured this out. I’m an only child who has never been around babies. I don’t know anyone with a baby. So this is all going to be completely new to me. I kinda feel I’m delving into the complete unknown. However me and my partner are very happy together, have a good income, and are quite settled. Now seems the right time however I literally know NOTHING about babies or pregnancy and I don’t even know where to start. Babies have to be fed... right?!

Just kidding, but I wonder if anybody can recommend any pregnancy or baby books?! Anything that can help me get mentally prepared for what may possibly happen in the future? Or any tips? Anything!

There seems to be a lot of info online but I find reading online quite overwhelming. If anyone can point me in the direction of a decent website feel free to share.

I know that no book can prepare you for parenthood but even just the basics would suffice!

I’m uk based if this helps.

Thank you for reading.

My main advice would be - don't panic about this stuff. You can't prepare for the emotional impact of having children, and you learn the physical stuff on the job. Yes, you can read books, but about the only things common to all babies are that they need to eat, sleep and have their bums changed. Babies haven't read the parenting books, they don't know what they are "supposed" to do, they are primal, and programmed to survive.

Regarding the physical side of baby care - when I had my first, despite being one of four kids I had never held a newborn baby, fed a newborn baby, or changed a nappy of a kid of any age. I remember being sat in the hospital petrified that I had just been left with my baby to look after. I asked my friend what I should dress my kid in! But I learnt, and pretty quick, just like all new mums and dads do - you bumble through, until you realise that you've kept that newborn bundle alive for a day, a week, a month, a year, and actually it's going ok. And although there are times when you've been half dead from exhaustion, and boredom, and a need to just be yourself without a small hanger on, you look at that little face or feel those little arms around your neck and your heart melts all over again.

So you actually want a child op? Your post comes across very matter of fact with
Little emotion- it suggests you may not want a child but think now is a good time to give it a go.

Sorry if I've understood that wrong and I don't mean that harshly but ttc is a rollercoaster for a lot of people. I've just had my third miscarriage - it's a lot to put your body through and to deal with emotionally if it's not something that you're too bothered about and there's nothing wrong with if you're not.

Hoping you are ttc because you want to not just because your dp is broody 

Do*

Mumofmunchkin - thanks so much! This makes me feel more at ease.

Ifancyachinese - I’ve just re-read my post and I agree it does sound rather emotionless. The way I feel is very difficult to describe. I do like the idea of having my own family and I do feel it would be a positive move. As I said, I’m not broody, there will never be a day where I wake up and say “I’m ready” for this reason. But I figured that’s because I haven’t ever been around babies. Having spoken to other mothers, some women are not naturally maternal/“broody” before having kids, but it does come, and apparently I may find after
my first I may then miraculously become broody!?? I have thought about this in some depth let me assure you. I am full on delving into the unknown here but hoping it’s a GOOD unknown. However I also acknowledge problems can occur and it’s not always plain sailing. I am so sorry for your miscarriages.