Being a new mom everything is uncharted territory and frankly it can be overwhelming.
Why is my baby crying? Am I doing this right? Do I have what I need when the baby comes? There are lots of questions when you are a new parent that you will figure out I promise. However, in the meantime here are a couple of things I have figured out over the years that I wish someone would have told me before I became a momma.
#1 Enjoy the moment: your babies are not babies for very long. The days can seem long but I promise you the years are fast. Take the time to snuggle your newborn. The dishes and laundry will always be there.
#2 Breastfeeding takes time & patience: being a new mom we all want to give our perfect babies the best start possible. Breastfeeding not only is amazing for the baby but it’s also great for you. Breastfeeding will help you lose your left over pregnancy weight and creates an unbreakable bond between mom and baby. With that being said when you start it can be tricky. Don’t get frustrated! This takes time trying to figure out the correct hold for both you and baby. If you can stick with it I promise you will not regret it.
#3 Newborn Clothes: Did you know most newborn gowns and shirts are designed with wide necks so they don’t have to be pulled over the baby’s heads? This is a game changer! Trying to dress a newborn when you have to pull things over their heads can make for angry babies. Also it isn’t uncommon to have multiple outfit changes in one day. Between spit up and blown out diapers newborn outfits can get pretty messy and pulling them over the baby’s head isn’t always an option. If the shirts or gowns don’t have buttons or snaps try sliding the garment down the body. This makes clean up faster and less messy. This is the same for dressing the baby, simply pull the gown or shirt up over the baby to avoid pulling over their head.
#4 Nighttime Diaper Changes: Baby’s like to be warm and wet diapers can cause for fussy babies. However, with that being said most diapers are designed to keep babies dry for hours not minutes. If your baby wakes in the night to feed and falls back asleep don’t wake them again by changing their diaper. They will let you know I promise when need a new diaper☺.
#5 Bath Time: Newborn babies are used to being bundled up and can become nervous when they are unclothed. This can make bath time not always enjoyable. Try taking a warm wash cloth and putting it on your child’s chest prior to putting them in the tub/sink. This will provide some form of security and help keep the baby calm during the bath time. By introducing the wash cloth before placing the baby in the water it reduces the shock factor and helps keep the baby happy. If you need to remove the cloth to re-warm simply place your hand on their chest until the cloth can be replaced.
Parenthood does not come with an instruction manual and sometimes you will wish it did however, that’s what makes it fun. Being a new parent is like going back to school. It takes time and maybe even a couple sleepless nights, but by studying your baby they will teach you everything you need to know.
Stay positive and remember every day is a new day!
You got this!
Kirstin Ashley
Diaper Shower Co-Founder
