Big news, need some dad advice!

[Jarrodkris]

Hey everyone,

Boys, I’ve got news, I’m going to be a dad! Still feels a little surreal typing that out. As exciting as it is, I’m also starting to look around for the practical stuff we’ll need once the little one arrives.
One thing I’ve been thinking about is playmats. I’m based in Singapore, so if any of you have recommendations or references for good quality playmats (safe, durable, and hopefully not too tacky looking), I’d really appreciate it. I’ve seen some options online, but would love to hear from people with first-hand experience.

Thanks in advance, any tips are welcome!

 

[Donna T]

Congratulations Jarrod! That is wonderful news! My little granddaughter (16 months) has a big play pen with a padded floor. There’s a zippered door on the side so she can go in and out when she’s allowed. I’m not sure about a play mat specifically but the best you can do is talk to other parents and read reviews online. Once your baby can crawl you’ll want an enclosed space - and it happens before you know it!

 

[Hermes2020]

Congratulations. Excellent news!

 

[Artyczar]

Did you address your post to "boys" because being a dad is a male thing? Or were you only talking to the boys on the forum?

Congrats on a new being coming into the world!

 

[Enyaw]

love , cherish, help

 

[Jarrodkris]

Thanks again for all the wishes & advice, everyone. Honestly didn’t realize how overwhelming it can get trying to choose the right stuff for a newborn.
One area I’m still figuring out is the playmat situation. A couple of friends warned me that the cheap foam ones peel fast and look pretty rough after a while. I came across Nomada here in Singapore, and their mats look a lot sturdier while still fitting in with home decor (my partner’s big on not having the living room look like a daycare )
Has anyone here actually used one of those, or do you think it’s worth sticking with something more basic at the start?

 

[snoball]

Congratulations, Jerrod! It's mostly on-the-job training.

 

[PaintBoss]

Congratulations! You’re in for the ride of your life! It is amazing. You’re in for a wonderful time. It will test you in a lot of ways. Mainly exhaustion. But it’s well worth it. Your life will be definitely divided into pre-and post child. I found it was fantastic even with all the hard stuff. Once I had my baby my doctor said to me, “Welcome to the world”. I understood what he meant then. How you see the world will look different. You have joined a club where you are not the main event. And it’s all good.
I don’t know about mats, but you could also consider a lot of those washable rugs. I got one and it’s very thin, but still soft. You can anchor it underneath furniture if you’re afraid of it slipping a little bit. It’s pretty good. And there are little pieces you can put underneath the carpet to help it not to move. Although the back of it does have an anti-slip surface. you can get that on Amazon and it’s cheap.
When is the baby due?