What words of wisdom would you give to a first-time mom?
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It’s okay if the house doesn’t get clean right away. It’s okay to take time to yourself 🤎. Your not alone even when you feel like your going crazy! Take it one day at a time! You baby will forever love you 🥰
It's been said but it is ok if you don't connect with your newborn right away, the connection will come. Also breastfeeding is hard and does not come easy for most and if it's something you want, don't give up
Stop following hundreds of parenting influencers/sleep/feeding consultants on social media.. everything they say may not work out for you and your baby. It just causes unnecessary stress!
Don't be afraid to breastfeed in public!!
Love yourself too! Practicing self-love, self-care is as much important as cherishing your baby. Start maternity care before you plan pregnancy. There might be moments when you don’t feel the support and love from the close ones. No matter how hard it is, never let it bring you down. Connect with new friends and people who makes you feel special, who understands the value of maternity. Babies develop, so should the parents. As long as you never stop developing and learning as a parent, you will always be the best parent!
So much, but just a practical one that always crosses my mind during squiggly diaper changes. I wish someone had tole me.. Don't get any clothes with poppers, zippers for the win. Saves so much time!
@Esther appreciate this very much!
It's okay not to connect with your baby right away. With all the hormones and postpartum stuff. It will come. So don't feel bad if you don't feel the instant mom love.
Ask for help when you need it!! Pack diaper bag appropriately!! Just what you use in a few hours not a week!! No need to kill your back carrying the baby car seat and diaper bag that all weigh a ton after 30 min! 😘
It is one of the hardest things you'll ever do but it is also absolutely the best as well. Enjoy every moment, be tired later, one day they'll be too old for cuddles. 💛
Don't read any books. Trust your instincts. The answers are all within you (but read SOME stuff if you want just don't overdo it to the point of paralysis lol) ---signed a recovering info junkie
Everything around you can wait. But your baby won't be little forever, make the most of the precious times
Never give up. There are days that are harder than others, but always remember that no matter what, you are loved by your baby and never feel like a failure cause us mothers can do a lot ❤️
All babies are different and some are easy and some are more challenging, if yours doesn’t sleep in a Moses, doesn’t sleep through the night, doesn’t eat like another mum says hers does, it isn’t your fault and you haven’t done anything wrong x
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Dont read too much on Internet. Dont try to be perfect mom from instagram. You are the best for your baby, so trust your guts.
Take one day at a time and if that feels overwhelming take it hour by hour. There will be days when it's amazing and days when it's rough but just remember you got this and to be kind to yourself x you're amazing
Take a deep breathe Your allowed to cry when the baby cries too. Take your time your birth recovery and motherhood journey is yours you don't have to rush anything
Take the pressure off yourself. Nothing has to be perfect; not the schedule, the nursery, the diaper changing set up, the toys, etc. You’ll figure out what works for you, your baby and your family as time goes on.
Ask for help!!
Take the help and don’t feel guilty for wanting some me time! Xx
Never be afraid to ask for help. Accept any help from family or trusted friends whether it be to take baby for 20 mins so you can take care of yourself, shower, nap etc or whether it's to clean up for you. Don't feel bad if you need to walk out of the room for a few minutes to recompose yourself. As long as your baby is in a safe space. The first few weeks will feel like years; but you will soon wish you had those back! Take a change bag with you everywhere. You've got this!
Take the help
Wing it everyday. You’re doing your best, even when you feel like you’re not 💜
Ask for help, remember every baby develops at their own rate and wont necessarily be a “textbook baby”. Also remember you know your own baby better than anyone else will. Take time for yourself as well
take time to breathe & center yourself. be patient with yourself. there is no parenting manual, but you got this.
Ask your partner for help. Get a therapist for your mental health and postpartum. Take those prenatals after the baby because your body needs it. Hydrate and eat every chance you get. If you don’t make time for it, your overall health will suffer noticeably.
Please make sure your mental health is 100%. Well as much as it can with a newborn and first time mom. I let mine get so horrible and it made me forget most of the memories of when my baby is so tiny. YOURE NOT GOING CRAZY! It is natural and there is help! Do not get in that dark corner! Also, do not use baby powder ( get some baby powder, top the top off. Throw the actual baby powder away and put pure cornstarch into it and pop the top back on! Best. Thing. Ever. When you see that bum getting red just a lil on there and its gone overnight! My baby has never had diaper rash bc of this! Oh and leather is an AMAZING teether!
Don’t rush them into growing up, I was so excited for the “next stage” that I almost felt as thought I rushed it too soon. Savour each moment!
This is such a good idea, when I welcomed my first 4 years ago I was like a deer caught in headlights. Would of appreciated something like this. My best advice would be listen to gut, as others have said as well, but also to not compare yourself to others. Every child is different and everyone’s circumstances are different, doesn’t mean what you are doing is wrong. Just because something looks perfect on social media etc doesn’t mean it actually is ❤️
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@Ty ohh I thought it was because their little eyes come irritated from the birth process they put that to relieve it.
Also ‘you’re not doing anything wrong if your baby doesn’t sleep through the night’ it’s completely normal for babies to wake constantly and some babies don’t nap well either! There’s so much blame put on mothers that they aren’t doing ‘this and that’ so is the cause. It’s just human biology.
Babies hair can fall out. Like not just a bald spot, everything! I was not aware of this and thought I’d somehow poisoned my son lol. Just would have been nice to have been aware of it beforehand, not when I mention it to the health visitor for them to turn around and say ‘oh that’s normal’….Gee thanks for telling me lol
If you are wanting to breastfeed prepare yourself with the knowledge and tools that just might make the journey easier on you and your breasts. I wish someone had told me that it could be challenging and painful. This quote resonated with me while i was into my journey. My birth instructor said this”¦ The breast is like a muscle you haven’t used yet. ”˜Remember taking up a new sport?’ she asked”¦ ”˜Remember how much the new set of muscles you used surprised you by aching so much?’ Well, she said, that’s what it’s like to use your breasts, for the very first time, for the purpose they have been awaiting all your life. -Julia Glass
Put yourself first. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Listen to your child. Find the need beneath the surface. It’s overwhelming but it isn’t forever. Give yourself Grace. Your baby is unique and so are their needs. Use your instincts to guide you and just follow your baby’s lead
@Scarly they administer the ointment to prevent bacterial infection resulting from a mother having gonorrhea. To be better safe than sorry, they give all babies the ointment... Even if the mother does not have gonorrhea. Symptoms from the ointment can result in rashes, temporary or permanent blindness, and more. If you don't have an STI or STD,. Your baby doesn't need the ointment. It's a personal decision ultimately, but that's my take. I also saw a lot of my cousins have bad reactions to it when they were born.
Be patient, enjoy every stage and listen to your instincts. Don’t give a crap about other people’s opinion at the end it’s YOU AND YOUR BABY that matter.
You can do everything right and still be wrong, please don’t beat yourself up about. It’s life and as long as you do it with logic and love you’re doing great. Ended up giving myself postpartum depression, having tried my best on everything for my daughter and still being clueless and wrong about so much. I felt defeated everyday, I wish someone would have told me this.
@Ty why not the eye ointment im curious , they put that on my baby
Your relationship will change, you may dislike how your partner doesn’t involve themself in everyday tasks when taking care of their baby. As the default parent you will be feeling like it’s all on you. Cooking, cleaning, running errands, feeding, burping, bathing, nappies, grooming, life admin. SPEAK UP. Ask for help. You don’t have to be the image of a ‘superwoman’ who does everything. You will burn out otherwise. Also, it’s important to take time for yourself, without needing a reason to!!
I would say to follow your instincts and remember that the articles you read about milestones were not written about your baby. Just relax and enjoy your baby.
An older mother said to me "children are like popcorn, not every kernel pops at the same time" Don't be too hard on yourself, we all try to be the 'perfect mum' (whatever that is) remember you and your baby are learning new things together. Enjoy the ride, the ups and downs. Finally, just as you think you get into a groove, your baby develops and brings new goal posts. I always explain my son as a beautiful whirlwind
Ask for help. It's a lot, and at times it will feel overwhelming. You will have a newborn on top of everything you already have: work, housework, cooking, laundry, etc. Ask for help & ride your partner's butt to get things done lol
FTM here I would love to read that article too I feel so lost 2023 has just been a roller coaster of a year I wish someone had told me how time would go by so fast and anxiety is going to kick in and might feel like your losing it
Everyone will give you advice, listen, try it. But at the end of the day it’s your child, only you will know what works and what doesn’t.
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If you drop more then a drop of breast milk on the ground it’s okay to cry… trust me!
@Tilly definitely. I had my 1st son who was fast at everything. Sleep.weaning good at primary.potty trained at 2 n half.then my second was slow at everything. But my second child went to college got a good job etc..my first didnt..so it doesn't plan out there future from how they were as a baba x
Dont forget yourself.Get out as much as you can ..
Ive got 6 kids and got told alot of different things on each pregnancy the dos and donts.i just went with my heart and guess what all mine survived lol x
Babies cry. Make sure they are fed, clean, burped. But a lot of times they are still gonna cry and it’s gonna be okay.
Don’t be ashamed to ask for help!