Baby Diary: Day 2 - Sheer Terror
You see the congratulatory messages will stop at some stage. You've shared the pictures of your beautiful offspring with all and sundry, and everyone has told you it is the most beautiful child ever produced by two human beings.
You are positively glowing at the scale of your achievement. But this doesn't last forever, and soon enough the terror hits you.
You come to the startling revelation that you have no idea how to take care of this creature. A creature that is completely dependent on you for absolutely everything. Picking her up, taking care of cramps and wind, you start second-guessing yourself and your ability not to kill your child.
Do you give her a pacifier? Or will she one day starting acting out because you made a split-second decision when she was a day old?
I must say I found the second day way too overwhelming.
Baby Diary: Day 1 - Sheer Excitement
What also doesn't help is the sheer volume of advice given to new parents. Everybody knows how to take care of your child except you.
You are not even allowed to bath your own child - a sign of the level of trust involved.
There was at least one ray of sunshine - which involved a poo believe it or not.
I did at manage to change a dirty nappy for the first time.
Which is a lot more that most men do, from what I have heard.
So if I get a good night's rest, I am willing to give another go tomorrow.
Maybe everything is not lost.