Life as a new mother is exciting, but let’s be honest, it’s also scary, stressful and intimidating. Here we are caring for an itty-bitty person we love more than ourselves, and we don’t know what to do; it’s frightening! But being a new mom doesn’t mean you can’t handle it like a pro. Here are a few tips from moms who’ve had newborns and understand what you are going through.
Shhhh, the baby is sleeping
The whole ‘be quiet’ while the baby is sleeping is overkill. Seriously, think about it. A womb is a loud place. Of course, you don’t want to stand next to your baby screaming at your other kids, but newborns are used to noise. You don’t have to tiptoe around to avoid waking the baby up. When I brought my kids home, we did everything from watching TV to vacuuming. If you have other children in the house, keeping everyone quiet because the baby is sleeping is not going to happen. My youngest slept better when everyone went on about their business. It was when things got quiet that she woke up, probably because she wanted to know what was going on.
Relax, you will make mistakes, learn to forgive yourself
Nobody knows what the heck they are doing in the beginning, and even experienced moms make mistakes. Being a new mom can drive you nuts, but things will get easier, and you will learn and create routines.
I think this is one of the best tips I have ever received. We are human; we will make mistakes, and it’s important to forgive ourselves for them. I was hard on myself for a little while, but then I realized how much time I was wasting on things I couldn’t change. If you make a mistake, don’t be too hard on yourself, learn from it and move on.
Taking care of yourself and needing time to yourself does not make you selfish
Having a child changes everything, and I mean everything. It will take up most of your time, and you may find yourself emotionally drained. It’s important to take a little time for yourself. Do your toenails, make a hair appointment, or take a long bath. It doesn’t make you a bad mother to need a little time to yourself now and then; it gives you a chance to breathe, relax, and regroup. You will be a much better mom if you take a little time to take care of yourself.
Plus, who knows, your baby might want a little time to bond with other loved ones, too.
You are not a bad mom because you need help
Don’t be scared to accept or ask for help. You are not less of a parent for accepting help with your baby. If someone offers to help, accept the help. It’s likely they are offering to help because they care and understand how difficult the first few months can be. And, do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Listen to your gut
With all the information about becoming a new mom and raising your child, things can get stressful. Take all the information with a grain of salt; you don’t have to do things just because everyone else does. At the end of the day, you know your baby best. Trust yourself and your own instincts; you’ll be okay.
Don’t listen to all the formula feeding myths
Breastfeeding was my first option, but it didn’t work out the way I had hoped. I didn’t produce enough milk, and trying to do what was best for my baby ended up not being what was best for either of us.
At first, I felt guilty and like I was being a bad mother. I tried both breast and formula feeding my baby, while talking with lactation consultants and trying all their tips, like pumping. In the end, I had to toss the pump and stopped feeling guilty.
By formula feeding, I was feeding and nurturing my child. It’s silly to think that feeding and nurturing my baby could make me a bad mother. Regardless of why you choose to formula feed, never feel guilty for feeding and loving your baby.
Today’s formula is closer to breast milk than it’s ever been. Infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk, and remember, the important thing is to make sure your baby is fed, cared for and given lots of love. Plus, formula feeding means you can share the bonding experience with your partner or other loved ones while you get some much-needed rest or time to yourself. So don’t feel bad, ditch the mommy guilt!
Saving money doesn’t mean you are trading quality
As parents, we want the best for our children, and it’s easy to go with well-known brands because we think paying more means better quality. But this just isn’t true. Paying less doesn’t mean you are not getting a nutritional formula tailored for infants. There’s no reason to pay more for a brand-name formula, or pretty much anything.
Consider shopping online to save your money, time, and stress
Shopping online saves time and money, and you can avoid the stress of running out of necessities for your baby.
One of my friends on Facebook suggested shopping online and taking advantage of subscription options for items such as infant formula, diapers, and wipes. You can purchase infant formula on Amazon.com and save money by getting 2-day free shipping with Amazon Prime and using their subscription options so you never run out of formula.
Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to be a “grown-up”
Don’t think being a mom means being a boring grown-up. It’s okay to have fun, be silly, and stay who you were before becoming a mom. Sure, life changes, you have a baby now, but playtime is important for you and your baby. You’ll both be happier, your journey through parenthood will be a lot more fun, and you are more likely to value the little things that matter if you are happy.
If you are venturing into motherhood for the first time, take a deep breath and stop stressing. You will be okay; focus on what matters, and be confident that you will find your groove. And welcome to the tribe!
