Bringing home a baby creates a whirlwind of emotions, schedules, and a little bit of insanity. In that mix it gets hard to remember what's important - your new baby! Here is my top 10 list of things for new moms to remember.
1. The most important thing (I think) - Your baby is only at this age one time. Relish in it, because it goes by entirely way too fast! Take a ton of pictures so you can remember later. The first few weeks may seem to go by in a blur.
2. Not everything has to be scheduled! Leave a little room for the unexpected.Your never know what could come up, and you may have to change your plans. Also, if your baby wants to eat, then let it eat - even if it is an hour early.
3. Recruit help! Your not Superman. If you have someone around to come help clean the house or help make dinner, then let them. It won't make you look like a bad mom, it will prove that you know your limits and your not ashamed to ask for help!
4. Get great cleaning products that prevent germs. Babies immune systems are not totally developed right off the bat, you need to have cleaning products that you trust to get rid of harmful germs. (I personally use Lysol... on like everything. BUT that's because I'm a germaphobe)
5. Get things ready before the baby comes home. Sterilize your bottles, prepare the nursery, and disinfect all your baby products beforehand, so you have less to do later and you can enjoy your baby.
6. Nap when the baby does! You will need those few extra winks. When the baby lays down, you should do the same. More than likely it will not throw off your sleeping routine, because the baby will do that for you :)
7. Keep all your important information in one place that it easily accessible. I don't know how many times I lost my daughter's shot records before I finally started putting it in one spot. My advice: get a binder or planner and keep important info in there.
8. Ask your mom/stepmom/mother figure. More than likely they have been there and done that. If you have a question don't be afraid to ask. I just tried to remember that there is never a stupid question. You may find a new found respect for your mom, I know I did.
9. Trust your gut instinct. I know I just said that you should ask your mother figure, but also don't be afraid to go with what you feel is right. Your the child's mother - ultimately things should be done the way you want them. Don't be afraid to tell the doctor/family/whoever NO. They don't call it a Mother's Insticnt for no reason :)
10. This too shall pass. I said that over and over when I first brought my daughter home! There are stages for everything. Just like your getting used to being a new mom, you baby is getting used to just being! It will be a work in progress, and that's good! You can put down your baby, and walk away when the crying gets to be too much. Breath alone for a few minutes, and go back to your baby. It's okay for him or her to cry!
Those are my 10 tips! Hope that it reaches someone that can use it, I know I wish I would have known these things when I was first bringing home my daughter - it would have helped with my sanity :)
“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Lysol® Wee Wisdom blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”
1 comment:
You nailed it. I wish I had had that list when my daughters were small, thirtyish years ago. Wouldn't that make a cute little book to give as a baby shower gift?
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