Ask HN: I will become a father tomorrow, what advice could you share with me?

Congrats. 3 things that I found the most useful: - Know that it will get better. The first period, and periods after, will suck. But it is also very much worth it. When things are at the absolute worst, just remember that this too shall pass. - We got an octopus teddy from Jellycat - lifesaver! Baby’s hands will pull out the pacifier when they sleep - they wake up - you wake up. The baby could hold on to the tentacles instead of the pacifier, meaning everyone slept better. - Prep meals when possible. Cooks stews and similar for the freezer for those hard times when you can’t even think of cooking. Will make it easier to get a good meal.

Bonus: sleep whenever possible, and bring the baby to see friends so you don’t become a hermit.

New father here.

Ensure baby is fed (breastfed/formula fed) every couple of hours. This above all else. If baby is not latching just formula feed until he latches. This is crucial.

Watch out for signs of dehydration (parched lips) on baby. Usually because mothers dont lactate on day 0 and babies dont get any milk. Note time spent at breast not equal to milk in baby.

Watch for signs of jaundice. Low feed for baby causes jaundice levels to spike which can cause severe health issues.

Revisit the paediatrician within 48h of hospital discharge.

Be there for your partner. It'll be fine.

You'll get plenty of specific useful advice here. No point in adding to that.

What I tell folks is the bar for parenting is pretty low actually. Give a shit, and put effort in. The rest is really just minor details in the grand scheme.

Kids just need parents and adults that care about them and are willing to put the time in. All the other stuff stems from that, but gets talked about far more. It's pretty hard to mess a kid up in a loving supportive household no matter your other circumstances.

Material things also simple don't matter at all, even though society will focus on those for you.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. Do not use that time to catch up on things.

First few years are hard. Not just because of the work and the sleepless nights but also the adjustments to you and your partners lives. You need to look directly at that and swallow it down. Embrace the new normal. Allow each other to have me-time, sharing doesn’t mean you both ‘suffer’ 100% of the time. The challenges change over the years but just keep working at it and it’s infinitely rewarding.