re: Baby due next summer. Any tips or knowledge that can be passed on?

Buy this book and read it The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-be
It's the best one I've found. There's a real lack of decent gathering books and this author has been around for a bit. He remains a-political and doesn't coach on parenting styles.

Study Taking Cara Babies

Optional: but worked for us Le Pause Book basically boils down that sometimes you need to let the baby cry for just a little bit before running to the rescue.

And

Get a Hatch sound machine (or any you prefer), and your preferred swaddle/pacifier.

Bring them to the hospital with you and use them from day 1.

Start employing the taking Cara babies techniques ASAP. It's broken down by week and then month.

The first two month is mostly survival. But after that it gets better. But seriously, taking Cara babies was a life saver. We got our kid sleeping from 7:30-6:30 everyday by 12 weeks.

Good luck sir, your life is changed forever.