Parents out there, what does it feel like to hold your first born baby for the first time?

[Anonymous]

I'm writing a book, and I don't have any children of my own yet, so I'm struggling to imagine the feeling.
When you held your child for the first time, what did it feel like, and was their anything specific that you noticed that just really stood out to you? Like their heartbeat or the sound of their breathing, something small that felt profound to you.
And were you ever scared to hold your baby?

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Interesting question :)

Testimony then, I recall... Many things in fact:

Context
I didn't want a baby, life being surprising, I will have a baby now, it's gonna be very soon argh ! I'm in a hospital, this is only the second time I visit an hospital, this place is far from being familiar to me. The perspective of a birth is no more familiar to me. I'm facing something completely unknown, fatherhood, what is it, why, how? I don't really know what I'm supposed to do, there is half a dozen of medical workers. I'm spectating pain, screams, sweat, nothing of this seems real, even though I knew it was coming, it had to come but what the hell? Where am I? What they expect from me?

Birth
Sarah is born, yes, it's done, she's out ! Some nurses bring her to another room, I follow the move, am I summoned? I think, not sure. Then the nurse holding Sarah downright drop her in my arms, without even asking ! Here I am, holding my... Baby? The nurse then show me what is the right position, but I don't feel at ease at all, what if I break something? She's so small, and warm and soft and breathing, she smells something I never experienced before, she smells good in fact ! I feel I must protect this baby, somehow, I understand this is my role now. It's not gonna be easy...

Aftermaths
Many years later, retrospectively, it hasn't been easy no, it has been terribly difficult, this path is unexplainable, I have no words. But I love Sarah, she's my baby, but not anymore a baby, but still my baby ! She's smart and energetic, caring, curious, depressed, excited, happy, impossible to follow, lost in her thoughts, dancing, drawing, singing, she has this tendency to rush in my arms, without my consent, for a cuddle !

[BadApple69]

I was never scared to hold my babies. The first week of their lives they all (I have 4) slept on my chest at night. I was the heartbeat they heard, I was the warmth they required, I was their protector in the dark…. They were my light.


Now to answer your question… I was always in the delivery room with all my kids. As soon as they were born the nurse would wrap the baby up and hand the baby to me…. So little, so fragile, so ugly but beautiful at the same time. The first thing you notice is their eyes looking all over at everything and nothing at the same time…. Trying to see where the sounds are coming from…. This world is totally new to them and it’s my voice that at that moment they are finding comfort in. Holding your baby for the first time is like nothing you could ever describe… all the joys in your life combined can’t measure to that moment. Every problem you have, every care in the work, or weight on your shoulders disappears in that moment and it only you and this bundle of light that you are holding…. Nothing else…. Everyone else and everything else is gone for that first few moments.
Offer me all the wealth in the world or the chance to hold my babies that first time all over again and I’m holding my babies again.

[martian13]

It was a different kind of happy. I felt as if I finally had something in life. Like I've owned things but those things are never really yours, I am a maker at heart so I've made stuff before but a child is life there's nothing greater that you can make. So I suppose it is the pinnacle of the kind of happiness you get from getting the gift you asked for for Christmas, or from buying your first car or anything really. It's the happy that makes you cry.

[DrPepper12]

Indescribable. The most anxiety you will ever feel about meeting someone for the first time!! When we left from hospital I actually said to wife. "Wait. They're letting us take this child home? Alone? Are they crazy?"

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

hahahaah I feel you 🤣

[exitseven]

I was pretty scary. I was not ready for parenthood and I did not know how it would effect my life.

[DannyUk2017]

We cannot tell you! The Emotions/Feelings.. are for You to be Felt Alone, as every aspect of it is Unique! So you'll See/Feel when you'll have a child! Unless is an "unwanted" pregnancy...🤷‍♂️

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Actually, it's for a book, so the point is to tell your perspective at it lol

[andreasderjuengere]

It could have been nice both times.
But the hospital nurses spoilt it with their "excited" ado.
I thought I'm in a chicken farm revolt.

[lorenzomichael]

It feels totally amazing to know you have a baby human being that’s half you.

[DishLady]

Amazing.

[jahaims]

Like a drug