First time dad

[cee-S-dee]

The best thing that ever happened to me was my Son.

The pregnancy went fine, but man the labour and delivery was a 48 hour stint and I did not sleep for those 48 hours. I was a hallucinating mess at the end!

Be there for the birth. The most vivid thing I can remember was when he first started crying. That's the moment I knew I was a Dad! That sound elevated so much over all the noise that was going on, like my ears were being given a new sound. It was very surreal! You go from having one name to two!

Baby's don't really give much at first. They just cry, drink milk and sleep most of the time, and we didn't get much sleep either. I would just chat to my son normally when he was on the changing mat or interacting. I felt embarrassed doing the baby noises etc so would just talk. I think doing that had a real positive effect on his speech. He will be 3 in January and I can such fun conversations with him.

It takes time for baby's to realise what is going on. They are having to process everything that is happening as it is all new! Can you imagine that!

Enjoy it all as its an experience not everyone gets!

 

[vincent1989]

Me and the wife are planning for our first.

Can I get an idea of the monthly child costs?
Does this vary much in the first 10 years?
A breakdown of costs would be great!

Thanks in advance!

I've only two months worth of experience but I can see already how lifestyle choice would impact your monthly costs a great deal.

My wife breastfeeds and we are happy to have decent quality second hand clothes, we also bought in bulk on bargains ie 1000+ nappies for under £30, before he was born, consequently our total monthly spend post birth has been a couple of packs of wipes for each of the last two months (about £1.50), if you were to average everything out its be around £15-20 a month so far.

If youre going to formula feed, buy expensive clothes every month that they'll wear a couple of times and buy expensive toys they are too young to use then it'll be a lot higher.

I can't really comment for post 6 months however I know car boot sales and a tenner are great for toys, games, clothes, books etc etc.

 

[haz_pro]

Where did you buy nappies for that price? that's brilliant.

Children can be cheap to begin with (if you don't include childcare/lack of a second wage).

 

[Buddy]

lack of a second wage).

That's the main hit

 

[chroniclard]

What's 'sleep training'? Is it an actual thing?

I've got a 5 and 2 year old, they seem to sleep ok, and don't recall doing anything special to achieve it. Maybe the sleep deprivation has made me forget

Some kids just pick it up, others need to kind of be taught how to get themselves to sleep.

 

[Battery!]

The second you hold your newborn child for the first time you know what it is all about.

Correct.

 

[ci_newman]

Me and the wife are planning for our first.

Can I get an idea of the monthly child costs?
Does this vary much in the first 10 years?
A breakdown of costs would be great!

Thanks in advance!

The biggest cost by far is childcare costs or the loss of a partners income. My wife works three days a week, our monthly childcare cost is almost £900 for our two boys

 

[Buddy]

The biggest cost by far is childcare costs or the loss of a partners income. My wife works three days a week, our monthly childcare cost is almost £900 for our two boys

Oosh

The plan is the wife going back part time after 1 year and that should be enough for childcare. £900 doesn't sound too bad for 2 boys?

 

[Iron-man]

As others have said main things are costs due to lifestyle choices regards if you want brand clothing etc even tho they will only be in it 5 minutes,
Buying bulk when things are on offer is a great way if you have somewhere to store the stuff
I have 4 kids myself and as others have said the main cost is the better half not working which if you can get round all will be well.

And a point on something someone said above the first Tim you hold the little one will change your life for the better.

Congrats and good luck to all those expecting and more importantly enjoy it

 

[Iron-man]

Me and the wife are planning for our first.

Can I get an idea of the monthly child costs?
Does this vary much in the first 10 years?
A breakdown of costs would be great!

Thanks in advance!

It is quite difficult to get a breakdown as there are so many factors based around breast or formula? Brand clothes etc. As others have said above bulk buying will help when offers are on

 

[Cyanide]

My daughter's almost 3 now. It was a bit daunting at first and she can still be very tiring but I wouldn't change her for the world. Plus she likes to play games on the PC and Xbox with me