Brilliant Dad Feature Week 93

After our festive break we are back with my regular weekly Brilliant Dad Feature. To kick-off 2017 we have the awesome blogger Giles who blogs at the London based dad blog YOU THE DADDY. Giles is a first time dad giving a guy’s perspective on pregnancy, babies and parenthood. 
You can follow his regular articles on everything from top tips on fatherhood and when your other half is pregnant and what to expect, plus great survival tips on pregnancy and parenthood. 

Thank you very much to Giles for taking part. 

1. Have you always wanted to be a dad?

Coming from a large family (I have a brother, two sisters and 20 cousins!) I always knew I wanted to have a bundle of kids of my own.

But I suppose my first signs of proper broodiness came after the birth of my first nephew (and Godson) Barnaby, nine years ago.

I babysat him from just a few months old (while his parents went out on the razz) and was amazed by the immediate love I felt for this little dude, who was my own flesh and blood. I knew then for certain that I wanted to be a father…although it took me another eight years to find the right girl for the job!

2. How did you feel when your son was born?

A sense of overwhelming amazement and relief. Amazement at the strength my wife showed during the labour and at the sight of a human being emerging from her lady parts. And a massive feeling of relief that our son, Teddy (who arrived nearly a month earlier than planned), was happy, healthy and a decent weight. Despite his prematurity, he was a whopping 7lbs at birth. Lord knows what damage he would have done if he’d gone full term…

3. What have been your most rewarding experiences so far as a Dad?

I’ve only been a father for two months so far, so it’s still early days for me. But nothing beats the feeling when, after finding my son crying inconsolably, I pick him up and with nothing more than a pat on the back or a little squeeze, he instantly settles. Like he knows I’m his dad and that he’s safe in my arms. It doesn’t happen every time (unfortunately) but when it does, it really is magic.

4. What are some of the funniest moments to have happened to you as a dad?

 Invariably, they usually involve some kind of explosion. Like the other night, while changing Teddy’s nappy after his 11pm dream feed, when I experienced my first uncontrollable projectile poo (the baby’s…not mine). 

I swore while desperately trying to find a wet wipe, after he covered the entire changing table in a jet of his special brown sauce. As I cleaned up the mess, I heard a gurgle to my left as Teddy proceeded to throw up the whole bottle I just fed him (the closest thing I can liken it to was a white chocolate fountain…), covering his entire head in a thick milky film. 
“Oh my God! Oh my God!!!” I exclaimed in hushed tones as I desperately tried to wipe milk out of his eyes, nostrils and ears, while he lay there calmly smiling at me. 
Suddenly I heard footstep rushing down the corridor towards me. It was only then that I noticed the green blinking light of the baby monitor and realised that my wife had heard the whole thing…

5.Have there been any situations with your son that you have found difficult to cope with?

To be honest, it’s been so much harder than I ever imagined. I thought, having already changed hundreds of nappies, babysat all my nephews and nieces countless times and eaten multiple Christmas dinners with a baby in my arms, I would have a head start. 

But nothing can truly prepare you for the exhaustion that you experience during those first few weeks with a new baby. Adding to that, the feeling of absolute helplessness when your little one is crying or in pain but, despite trying every trick in the book, nothing you do will calm them. Breaks your heart…

6.What are your hopes and dreams for your son?

As an August baby, born right at the back end of the summer holidays, I just hope that he doesn’t find school a struggle, as I know that can be a big knock to children’s confidence. I really hope as well that I can teach him certain qualities that I think are important in life, like humour, bravery, healthy competition, a good work ethic and an appreciation of music and art. But at the end of the day, if he’s happy, then that’s by far the most important thing.