What to do when the baby arrives?

[splishandsplash]

Might be the wrong thread, Can anyone recommend any books on how to look after a new born?

This is weird, I'm a first time mum and currently 20 weeks, I'm now panicking that I know nothing and have no idea how to look after him. I would really apprieciate any help!

Like how do you dress them?! How much milk are they expected to drink etc?

I have a load of books on pregnancy but it doesn't really explain much for when the baby is here!

I got my husband a baby owners manual from amazon (blue cover) and it's funny and very helpful!

Thank you all so much for your reply's they have certainly put me as ease, I know a lot of people are saying you learn it as you go but I'd like to read some information before so I don't feel totally clueless 🙈

Thank you all so much

Really recommend NCT if there is one near you. Not sure what the issues are that people apparently have on here but I loved our classes and two years later, I still see my NCT friends pretty much every week!

Our NCT classes discussed all forms of labour including epidural, section & recovery. Also discussed breast & formula feeding (with a emphasis on breastfeeding admittedly but there was no judging). It was so nice to hear other mums to be asking question like what to dress them in, how to change a nappy, what pram do you have etc etc.. and we have a WhatsApp group where we’d be messaging at 3am hysterically tired! Our group chat is currently dominated by potty training tips, advice & general breakdowns about if

You’ll do it.. instinct really does kick in & midwives & HV are so helpful! I had to battle to be discharged from hospital as we were still struggling to breastfeed & they wanted to keep me in so they could help! Which was kind but how anyone gets any sleep in hospital is beyond me. The 4 babies cried one after the other all nights long

Sears and Sears 'The Baby Book'. It has everything!

We had a really good NCT class, and both me and DP really like Penelope Leach's "your baby and child". It seems a bit less judgy than some books, and has lots of nice pictures which siblings (and the baby, after a while!) can look at which is nice for talking about what will happen when the baby comes.
I also quite like "baby led parenting" (from the same lot who wrote "baby led weaning" which I love!) but it is a bit "studies have shown" without telling you what studies, which always gets my back up.
If you liked Emily oster's pregnancy book (which is well worth reading- she debunks a lot of the random advice you get...) I think she has a baby book coming out soon too.

@DustyDoorFrames the Emily Oster book is already out and in paperback - I'm part way through it and really like it so far.

OP - I feel the same! I'm 27 weeks and have barely held babies before, certainly not changed any 😂 I'm hoping that midwives, HVs and my/DH's parents will be helpful. We're booked on to NCT classes too and I also bought Lucy Atkins First Time Parent book yesterday - seems really practical and reassuring so far which I like.

In short - I think most FTMs probably feel the same way - you are not alone!