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BEST PARENTING ADVICE FOR FIRST TIME MOMS

BEST PARENTING ADVICE FOR FIRST TIME MOMS

Aug 30th 2019

There are thousands of parenting books and blogs out there offering parenting advice for first time moms and it can seem a bit overwhelming for newbies. We’ve compiled a list of 10 tips or pieces of parenting advice that we wish we knew before we had our first baby. And yes, it really does go that quickly so love that baby often and love yourself, momma.

PARENTING ADVICE FROM SEASONED MOMS:

1. Let Go of All Expectations and Embrace the Chaos. It’s ok if your house is not as clean as it used to be,ordering in works perfectly for dinner these days, your baby weight doesn’t need to come off in the first 3 months. Be kind to yourself and embrace this new little human that you brought into the world and embrace the chaos.

2. Listen to Your Baby (The books aren’t always right and same goes for your mother-in-law). When someone offers parenting advice, listen, smile and do what you want to do or what your baby is telling you.

3. Don’t worry about breaking the “bad” habits. They will in their own time. They are not going to go to college with their binky in their mouth and their lovey with them.

4. You’ll like your spouse again (once you both get some much needed rest). If possible, sneak away for a coffee date (because yes, you are going to need that coffee and some baby-free time). Take others up on their offer to watch your baby so you can have some time with your partner. Those first few months are tough and your spouse will annoy you but hang in there.

5. Follow your instincts. Trust your gut. You got this. There is no right or wrong way to do things. Trial and error, baby.

6. It’s a hard transition going from working woman to staying home with the baby. If you have the baby blues, don’t hide it or be ashamed, talk about it. Get help if you need to. You are not alone. Find new friends (other moms who are now home with their baby too). These friends will end up being your best friends and you’ll tell them everything if you promise to be open. Not sure where to find them (join a music class or swim class for infants). Here’s a tip, these classes aren’t really there to teach your 6 week old how to swim or play the drums, they are for moms. You’ll look forward to that hour eachweek. See what happens.

7. Be kind to yourself. Feel no “mommy guilt”, if possible. Acknowledge it and let it go. A happy mom makes for a happy baby.

8. Cover up your “good” clothes before you go out. You’ll quickly learn that babies tend to spit up always when we are on our way out the door. Put a big shirt over your clothes, a jacket or a windbreaker or an oversized burp cloth. There is nothing worse than being covered in spit-up on your way out the door.

9. Get yourself outside at least once a day because you’ll feel so much better with a little fresh air. A walk around the block, a grocery store trip, treat yourself to a manicure, grab a cup of coffee, go for a car ride. It’s amazing how a change of scenery makes all the difference in the world.

10. Don’t care about what anybody else thinks. Do whatever you need to do to make you and your baby happy. The sooner you learn this, the better off you will be. Trust us, we are old moms telling you this.

One more thing, as a new parent, we are sure you will be introduced to the blog Scary Mommy, which has some helpful and hilarious parenting advice too. Check out this blog post for some of their picks on this too. My favorite on this blog topic is, “Google doesn’t have children.” Yes, Amen!!

Finally, we could go on and on with lots of parenting advice for all the first time moms out there but what matters most importantly is that you trust yourself. Your baby wants you to be happy and to know that you will figure this out. If you are still unsure, know that there are books and experts out there on every topic possible. If you are looking for even more wisdom, check out this blog post compiled from parents just like you, Words of Wisdom for New Parents.

Happy Parenting, Moms. You got this!