One of the “scariest” things that I experienced in my life (after my wedding of course) was becoming a first-time mom. The unknown was somewhat daunting, and no matter how many books I read and how many people offered advice, it was still up to me to keep this little person alive and thriving. The great thing about my relationship with my baby was that I soon learned to read the cues he gave me, and we worked together to create our very special bond that we continue to share today.
I was lucky enough to have my mom in my life who, after having five kids of her own, and helping to raise her other grandchildren, was there to support me and help me in anyway that she could. So what are the best tips that she gave me?
- Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle – the baby loves that feeling, and will absolutely help them sleep better.
- Always make sure that you fully burp the baby to help relieve any discomfort due to gas bubbles.
- Fresh air is key for the baby, so lots of walks and outside time with them will help them grow and be healthy.
- You can never spoil a baby, so never ignore their cries, no matter what.
- The baby is your number one priority – everything else, including housework, can wait.
Of course, my mother has been a wealth of knowledge in every aspect of motherhood, but I couldn’t possibly take note of every single helpful hint that she has offered me over the years – I don’t have enough space on this blog. My mother is superwoman to me, but there were some things that I would have loved to know about motherhood that sometimes can only be understood once experienced. Such as:
- Fatigue – I have never known fatigue and sleep deprivation like I did when my son was born. He did not sleep through the night for the first 33 months of his life (no I am not exaggerating), so I now know that I should have been napping every time the baby was napping. SLEEP IS KEY TO YOUR SANITY MOMMIES!!!
- Don’t feel bad about wanting your alone time and not wanting to be social during this time. Carve out as much time as you need with your baby, and enjoy it. Everyone will understand, and if they don’t, who cares.
- Try to have date nights/date hours/a coffee date with the old ball and chain (the husband) whenever possible – even an hour of time together will help keep the dream alive
OK Mommies – Go to http://www.momcentral.com/cms/103748/pampers_a_parent_is_born to enter your own tips! You will be entering for the chance to win one of 25 gift cards ($20 each) or the grand prize of $500!!!! You will be asked to offer a tip in one of two themes – How to cope with going back to work or Baby/Mommy sleep tips.
You can enter your tips at MOM CENTRAL until December 10th so HURRY!!!! ENTER NOW!!!
PLEASE NOTE: I partcipated in this blog tour as part of Mom Central’s Blog Campaign, and in doing so, will receive a $20 Amazon gift certificate.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Nothing can prepare you for when you first become a mom… it is such a life-changing moment!
I agree 100% with Loukia.
I like what you said about people understanding, and if they don’t who cares. I’m dealing with some of the non-understanding type of people this week, and it really sucks. I’m trying to remind myself that as a new mom, I’m doing the best that I can.
Absolutely. Only you truly know your baby and what his needs are. Tell the haters to bite it!
We were so lucky to have our mothers there to help us, weren’t we? My mom didn’t have a mother for the most part (she passed away very early on) and I don’t, for the life of me, know how my mother ended up to be so amazing. Funny though, she didn’t know what swaddling was at all and thought that it couldn’t possibly be comfortable for the baby! So very untrue. Swaddling saved us, too. AND my son didn’t sleep for the first 25 months on his on, so I hear ya sister. Sleep deprivation is awful.
I could use some extra sleep right now. Sleep deprivation is currently my middle name, so to speak. OY!
Good tips though. You REALLY don’t know what’s it’s like until you experience it for the first time…
My tip – don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for help, especially those first few months of having a baby. Even an hour to take a nap or a long bath, ask someone to watch your baby and take that time for yourself to rest – you need it!
Maria thank you for the authentic advice. I am entirely scared of letting go of a right I cherish, the right to say “no.” Babies don’t care about my/our need for alone time, fun time, cry time, confused time – they just need you.
We think we are ready. We think we are not.
Having a great support system is essential to your mental well being when you are a mom. I’m very jealous of those of you that have supportive mom’s. It’s not that my mom isn’t full of advice but when it comes to the being helpful part there isn’t much to desire. I would love to have even a quarterly date night with hubby but I think we’ve had only 8 nights out in four years and those I had to schedule months in advance.
Take the time if you can get it ladies and if you can’t well…try to get in a schedule for early bedtimes
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