Since I didn't ask...

[beetiger]

Now that I'm pregnant, people seem to have a variety of opinions on what I should do about any baby-related topic, from what I should be eating to circumcision to sleeping arrangements to how long one should breastfeed to whether I should go back to work right away.

I'm trying not to be annoyed by this. In fact, I'm really trying to embrace it, since it's mostly well-meaning.

For this reason, I open this up to you. Please give me unsolicited advice, on any topic (not just baby stuff). Anonymous comments fine. No promises on whether I take any of it.

(I'd do this as a poll, but I wanted to leave the option of long responses.)

Comments

[aprivatefox.livejournal.com]

Here's the advice my mom gave me (mostly gathered from raising my brother and me, both of whom I humbly think turned out fairly well.)
Overestimate Mothra. When zie does something that the parenting books, or the doctors, or the whoeverthehecks say zie can't possibly be doing at that age, don't believe them. Have faith in zir, too. When zie isn't doing something everyone says is Absolutely Essential, trust that zie'll get to it eventually. It's not a race. Pacing doesn't matter.
Read. Read, read, read, read, read. And don't be afraid to read stuff that zie "can't possibly understand," for the same reasons given above.
It goes without saying that you need to love zir unconditionally - you've already got that down, I suspect. You don't need any of this advice at all. Do well by Mothra!