Please give it some time before the second. Sleepless nights for years is not fun!

Enjoy it, when they grow up, they're not going to be sweet and cuddly, they'll rebel. Dicipline them well, but not harsh.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Seek out support from those you trust. It doesn't make you a bad person or parent if you need help but it does make you honest, responsible, mature and is a sign that you have your child's best interests at heart. Remember that having a baby changes everything including your relationship and being a parent is not just stressful for the mother but also the partner as well as those living with the mother and child. Adjustment is required by all involved. Most of all, remember, being a parent is not what the media makes it out to be - it's not snuggly baby-powder ads etc. It's real, it's hard but ultimately it can be really rewarding.

Parent instinctively. Doing this: - Promotes a strong, healthy love and attachment between parent and child - Increases a parent's confidence in their ability decipher and meet their child's unique needs appropriately, regardless of other advice. - Refines a parent's intuition in relationship to the child and respects the individual temperament of a child. - Infants whose needs are met consistently and predictably learn to trust and feel special, the beginning of a healthy self esteem, and are more likely to act with compassion and kindness towards others. - The responsive care instinctive parenting advocates, helps the child to feel good and right. A child who feels right acts right, and is a joy to parents.

Don't panic, and always ask if unsure. no question is stupid!

be realistic in your expectations. nothing happens like in the books.

Keep this in mind. That baby you're holding in your arms is a person, and your job isn't just to keep them alive, you also have an obligation to make sure they grow up to be a good person. And the best way to do that is to make sure that they have all the love and positive attention they need now. And to that child, you, as a parent, mean everything to it. For the first part of that child's life, the one deciding factor in how this person's life turns out is the choices made by *You*. So remember that, you hold a life in your hands, and for that one person, that's all they have, so do your best to make that baby's life a good one...

To do the best job they possibly can as a parent, and to enjoy their little bundle of joy while they can, the little ones grow up way to fast.

Here is just one of many of the things I found out.Don't go out and buy tons and tons of things for the baby before he/she is born, even if you already know the sex.I realise the question says baby is already born,but feel this to be important,even after the fact)What happens is that you end up with WAY to much crap and most of it you and baby will not even use.Buy things as you go,and don't buy every gizmo and gadget out there. It is much easier to take care of yourself and your baby without being buried in useless items. Get organized now because as they get older it gets harder and harder to do as they will desire more and more attention from you.So if you have not done it already,make room for baby!! Always be attentive,it is impossible to spoil a newborn,and if someone says so,do not listen to them. If you are planning on breastfeeding,please,don't give up,get help.It is the number one best nutritional food that you can give to your baby and also forms a bond that is like no other. It is so exciting,my last piece of advice would be to CHERISH every moment with them while they are small for they grow soooo very fast,and soon you will miss your little one being so tiny.

Plain and simple. It is okay to hold your baby and it is okay if they cry. If you need a shower and are hoem alone, put the baby in a bouncer in the bathroom with you and just hurry it up. They might cry for 5 minutes, but they wil be okay and you will be happier and more energized after that shower. If you are folding laundry and your baby has been playing on the floor for 20 minutes and is starting to fuss, pick him up. I get so frustrated when I hear parents repeat over and over "just a second", or "I'm almost done". Just snuggle the baby for ten minutes and go back to what you were doing. All I am saying is don't go to the extreme in either direction.

The first 20 years are the worst!

Listen to all the advice you get but only take the advice you want to.After all its your baby and mum knows best

Don't freak out over everything. There are going to be times when the baby cries for crying's sake. If you get stressed out, breathe deeply and count to ten slowly. Don't buy every baby-accessory under the sun, because there is a giant marketing campaign designed just for eager new mothers. Whenever you buy diapers, baby food, and the like, just buy all you possibly can each time you go shopping. That stuff goes fast!

to tell everyone you're tired of hearing everyones advice.

good luck

Nothing. You will hav ethe bond that matters and will know what to do!

You cannot take too many pictures!

Follow your instincts as much as you can. Don't do sleep-training with cry-it-out. It's cruel. Breastfeed. And above all ENJOY your baby. People get caught up in routines and tracking milestones and forget that little babies are really quite lovely creatures that are a joy to behold and to cuddle up with.

lose that baby weight and get trim and slim again, then have another baby in nine months.

Be careful never to shake the baby too hard. This can cause brain damage and many new parents do not know this.

Listen less to advices and follow your heart.

Don't have another one for a looonngg time!!!!

Buy a lot of diapers, one of those swimming nose guards(helps w/ the smell) and a pair of safety goggles(if it's a boy....they tend to squirt when you don't expect it).

If you are breastfeeding you need to eat plenty and drink lots of water, but also you need to seriously sleep when you can as your body can only keep up your supply if you rest well. I made the mistake of going out with my bub too often and making plans, breastfeeding is a job in its self and demands a lot of attention... Good luck. oh and if you are bottle feeding then thats great too, i just switched to formula as my supply dried up. Congrats on the baby

Agree with all of the above,....by the sounds of it, from experienced parents who have had the sleepless nights, the crying, the teething, and the TIREDNESS.....and the rewards when you see those smiles....a JOY! Only one thing I would add, and that is to try to get your baby in to a routine with feeding and sleeping, (not easy to begin with)....but it's the best piece of advice I was ever given. If successful, you will have (just a little) time for 'you time'. Enjoy!

Don't be scared to accept help when people offer. It doesn't mean that you are a bad mother or that you cannot cope. It is a hard and tiring time and friends/family are there to help you - not judge you

Is the father of this child playing an active role in the raising of this child? If not, why not? It takes to to tangle, and two to raise. If the couple is together forgive my comments please. But if they're not together, what gives?

Get as much rest as you can, don't try to be a super-mum by doing everything yourself, it can be very overwhelming. Enjoy it as they grow up so fast :) congratulations!!