No matter how many babies you’ve been around, nothing can prepare you for having your own. The sleepless nights, round-the-clock screaming, and being fully responsible for keeping a tiny human being alive — it’s a lot of pressure. Bill Horn and Scout Masterson, Tori Spelling’s close friends (aka “The Guncles”), know a bit about this. As dads to 2-year-old Bosley and 6-year-old Simone, they’ve survived the tough year —twice! — and are sharing their tips for how you can too.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help There’s a reason “It takes a village” is a saying — because it really does. “If a relative or friend offers to come stay for a day or two or 12, take them up on it!” Horn tells Us Weekly. Use that time to shower, nap, throw in a load of laundry, or just relax.
Lean on your partner There will be times when your 7-pound bundle of joy will push you to your breaking point. When that happens, allow your partner to take over. “There were times that first year when Simone was so wild and crazy that we had to tap out,” Masterson tells Us. “It’s OK to feel that way and to turn to your partner to take over.”
Get out of the house The first six to eight weeks are pretty brutal, but once you get past those, it’s time to head out and about with your babe. “There will come a day when the baby goes on a schedule, and that schedule will dictate your life,” says Masterson, “so enjoy these precious few months and go to lunch or dinner, or a museum, or grab a coffee with friends.” To tote your tyke around easily, Masterson says, a baby carrier is a must: “We worked with LILLEbaby and designed one that benefits the Independent Adoption Center, the nonprofit that helped us find Simone and Bosley,” he says.
Set your baby up for sleep success Sleeping at night quickly becomes all you want your baby to do. However you decide to handle it — using the “cry it out” method, co-sleeping, etc. — Horn and Masterson have some sleep aids they rely on. For baby, they suggest a sound machine and the Cloud B Twilight Turtle, a soothing nightlight that projects stars onto the walls and ceiling. And to give parents peace of mind, they suggest the Summer Infant Full-View 5-inch Pan/Scan/Zoom Video Monitor, which has a big screen and even tracks the room temperature.
Travel light Whether you’re going to visit relatives or just need a change of scenery, the best rule of thumb when traveling with an infant is to keep things simple. “Don’t get cocky with a European vacation! “ says Horn. Two things he says will make a getaway easier: the 4moms Breeze, a playard that you can open and close with just one hand, and a diaper backpack, such as the Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back. “We can carry a baby in one hand and just about anything else in the other, all while still being able to carry bottles, diapers and wipes in a diaper bag disguised as a fashionable backpack,” says Horn.
