đ€ŻADVICE FOR NEW PARENTS - 10 TIPS FOR THE FIRST-TIME MOMđŠžââïž
Becoming a mom is one of the most wonderful (and terrifying) things that you can ever experience. The indescribable feeling of knowing you have created a life cannot be compared to anything else, but it can also be overwhelmingly frightening. đ»
Since your baby wonât come with a guidebook (more on that later!), weâve put together some pearls of wisdom that, if taken to heart, will most certainly put you and baby on the right path.
1. Trust Your Instincts
One thing that parents of a newborn learn very quickly is that they donât (and canât possibly) know everything. However, once you get to know your baby a bit better, you will find that you develop a sixth sense for them. đ€Ż
Source: Pixabay
While neither apathy nor panic is ever a good option, it canât hurt to consult a physician if you have concerns. At the end of the day, trusting yourself and your own instincts rather than taking everyone elseâs advice can really work wonders for your confidence as a mother and for your stress levels. Besides, who could ever know your kiddo better than you?
2. Donât Lose Your Sense of Humor
Having a child can be a messy, exhausting, thankless job at times. It is this very fact that makes it all the more vital to find the fun(ny) in the everyday tasks that come with having kids. Better than letting the constant diaper changes, blowouts, late night feedings, and colds get you down, have a laugh about it instead. đ
Baby's Guide for Mommy and Daddy
All About the Challenges of Becoming a Parent
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Packed with funny (and solid!) parenting advice
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Being a new parent is messy, but it's also a precious time that flies by. This personalized keepsake shares advice on how to enjoy (and survive!) these early days and serves as a timeless memento long after diapers have been outgrown.
A fabulous way to help yourself stay positive is with an actual Guidebook to help you giggle your way through the ups and downs of parenting. Silas's Guide for Mommy and Daddy is a spicy personalized book that combines the craziness and wonder of life with a newborn. Personalize your characters, choose 10 baby-based stories to include, and turn that frown upside down!
3. Rest and Sleep Whenever and However You Can
We know, itâs easier said than done. đŽ
Getting any sleep at all can seem like climbing Mount Everest when you have a baby at home, but facts are facts. A lack of sleep negatively affects both your physical and mental health, disrupting nearly everything your body needs to do. Quite literally, a well-slept mommy or daddy is a healthier one. Stop prioritizing household chores like laundry and cleaning and start focusing on your own health instead. We promise, baby won't remember if the dishes were done as regularly as usual and neither will you.
4. All Babies Are Different ... But All Babies Cry
Obvious? Maybe. But this is a fact that does tend to get lost in the whirlwind of novelties that accompany a new baby. Even the most competent experts on children have to admit that just because a certain approach worked for one child, the same approach may have little or no effect on another.
So what do you do? Your best bet is to follow your instincts and get to know your new family member. Knowing them is what will allow you to find methods that work for you or to incorporate advice youâve received into your routine. And donât forget that all babies cry đ, whether it be colic, hunger, a dirty diaper or a lack of snuggles. So donât sweat it.
5. Donât Rack Yourself with Guilt
There are many people who agree parenting and guilt are an inseparable combination. While it is totally and completely normal to be second-guessing yourself at times, feeling guilt whenever a mistake is made is excessive.
Source: Pixabay
Being a dad or mom is a never-ending learning experience. We all make mistakes and have days where we beat ourselves up for not knowing better, but the truth is this mentality doesnât lead anywhere worth going. Rather than letting the guilt consume you, try to celebrate the victories, no matter how small. đ„ł Doing a great job means learning from failure, so forgive yourself and learn instead.
6. Expensive Doesnât Necessarily Mean Better
This is a Golden Rule for you to carry through life, to be honest. Ads would have you believing that if you really love your son or daughter, youâll spend as much as is humanly possible on their accessories. đž However, a baby will likely sleep (or not sleep) the same in a $10,000 bed as in a $20 one.
Source: Pixabay
Running yourself into financial ruin to purchase "life-changing" products is not going to help anyone at the end of the day. Shop around for products that fit your budget and donât be afraid to go second hand. Regardless of what youâve been lead to believe, babies donât need as much as youâd think.
7. You Can Refuse Visitors
In the first few days that you welcome baby into your home, there can be a great deal of pressure to invite everyone and their brother over to "view the child". While the sentiment behind this is nice (we want people to be interested in our kiddo, after all), there is a high level of risk that comes along with it.
Source: Pixabay
Adults and children alike can carry any number of viruses without becoming ill themselves, so they can potentially pass on a cold to a new born without ever knowing. During the first month of a childâs life, it is recommended that visitors be kept to a bare minimum for just this reason. Though we all have that relative that will take offense to such a measure, remember that this is your baby and the decision lies solely with you. đ
8. Be Ready to Adapt
One thing parents-to-be are not told often enough is that raising children requires constant improvisation. As we mentioned, there is no real manual for child-rearing (besides ours!) and every childâs needs are different. Youâll have to be able to think on your feet a bit, but, in time, it wonât be such a chore.
Some children breastfeed without a care in the world. Others struggle and the decision to switch to formula is one a parent may have to make. Remember that this relationship is an entirely new one and as you get to know each other, everything will start falling into place. Just give it time. đ§âđŒ
9. Donât Be Afraid to Ask for Help
A tough one. We know. Asking for help can be hard when you have been convinced that you should be able to handle it all on your own.
"It takes a village to raise a child". A village. Not one person or even a dynamic duo. So donât you dare beat yourself up for feeling overwhelmed. Take that trip to the grocery store alone. Go for coffee with a friend. Have a baby-free date night. The point is, if you have support, use it. 𩾠Sacrificing everything you are for motherhood is no way to live. Keeping a part of yourself just for you will only make you a happier, more relaxed mother. What more could a child need?
10. Enjoy It. They Wonât Be Babies Forever
When the days are long and the nights are longer, it is hard to believe that it will ever end. But a day will come when youâll change their last diaper. Mix their last bottle. Theyâll start sleeping through the night. Theyâll start walking and wonât want to be carried. At first, it will be a relief. After a while though, you may come to miss the baby phase.
Once your newborn, youâll look back at those photos you took and wonder if they were ever really that small. Any keepsakes you have, like this book from our Mini Heroes Collection, will become precious reminders of those first days together. Savor them because they will never be that little again. đ„°
BONUS TIP:
Donât Take Anyoneâs Advice Unless You Want To
We think this one speaks for itself. đ
OTHER BOOKS FOR MOMS
These books not floating your boat? Well, in addition to these books, Hooray Heroes offers many others that are sure to make the perfect Mother's Day gift.
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