Here are the tips new moms felt they really could use:
New moms get a lot of advice, most unsolicited, but some of it turned out to be really useful.
- SLEEP WHEN THE BABY SLEEPS
“Forget the laundry. Sleep when the baby sleeps—no matter the day or time”—was the best advice received as a new mom.
- BE FLEXIBLE
“The best advice I received was to forget your preconceived notions of what is good vs. bad and simply make the best choices for your family, prioritizing your health, sleep, and well-being. Flexibility will keep you sane.”
- ASK FOR HELP
“The best advice ever: our culture focuses too much on a birth plan when you need a ‘newborn plan, as in, make sure you have lots of help lined up.”
Ask for what you really need. You may find that there’s a line of people waiting to help you hold the baby…and no one who wants to make dinner or clean the bathroom.
- KNOW THAT YOUR BABY IS UNIQUE
“Every baby is different. What works with one won’t for another. Moms with more than one kid can tell you that even babies in the same family are very different from one another. Even the best advice is worthless if it won’t work for your baby—and you’re the expert.
- SCHEDULES CAN WAIT
“All bets are off for the first few months,” says Patty, an event producer.
“That baby needs love and food and a clean tush. Don’t try to enforce sleep schedules and eating schedules or any other schedules. You’ll make yourself crazy.”
- SHAKE OFF THE GUILT
“Let go of the mom guilt. Take time for yourself; it’s OK. Hire babysitters just to get me-time.”
- TRUST YOUR GUT
“Make sure you really, really trust your OB/midwife because you are going to be in the thick of it with them and you need to trust that they are making the best decisions for you if things have to change. The same goes for pediatricians, childcare providers, and babysitters. If you have a bad feeling, or the trust isn’t there, listen to your instincts.”
- PLAY THE LONG GAME
“When something about your kid is driving you crazy, ask yourself: is this still going to be a problem in a year? Almost always, the answer is no. It helps put things into perspective.”
- GET OUTSIDE & TAKE A WALK
“In those early days, I recommend trying to get out of the house once a day, even if it’s just a quick walk around the block. Fresh air did a lot for my mental health!”
- DON’T FALL FOR SOCIAL MEDIA MOTHERHOOD
“Don’t hold your life up to what you see on social media. Remember that everybody is just doing the best that they can. And anybody who looks like they have it all together – just wants it to seem that way.”
Home4Birth clients, pick up a free prenatal yoga pass at our office for Source Yoga’s Sunday 1:30 p.m. classes. After that first free class, Home4Birth will pay for part of the first three class bundle. You pay just $15 (reg drop in rate is $15). So, it’s like getting another two classes for free! Postnatal clients are also encouraged to attend! Class taught by Lauren Windle, Certified Yoga Instructor, (317) 915-9642, barefootgirl@comcast.net.