New Mothers Can Benefit from 21 Pieces of Advice that are Priceless
Being a mother brings about one of the most profound life changes. You become someone else’s universe the moment you hold a newborn baby in your arms. This new role comes with incredible love and joy but also with a steep learning slope, sleepless nights, and moments of self-doubt. Know that you are not the only mum on this journey. You are doing much better than you imagine.
Here are 21 heartfelt pieces of advice from mums who have been there. They’ve cried through 3 AM feeds and rejoiced in their first gummy grins. And they’ve learned the hard way that perfection isn’t the goal. Love is.
1. You are the Only One that Babies Need – and Sometimes, it is Just You
Your baby was in the most comfortable environment possible during pregnancy — surrounded by warmth, soothed and fed continuously without effort. It’s not surprising that your baby may only want to be with you after birth.
Sometimes, they may only settle in your arms. They will use your smell, heartbeat, and touch as safety signals. Do not let it overwhelm you. You can let go of washing the dishes or doing the laundry. Or even responding to the text. This intense need to be with you won’t last forever. One day, you will long for those moments when they didn’t let go.
2. Sleeping Doesn’t Come Easy
Sleep when your baby sleeps is a well-meaning but unrealistic advice. Each baby’s sleep journey is unique. Sleep becomes fragmented for many new mothers, and it can be difficult to establish routines.
It’s okay. In the beginning, you should focus on healing, bonding, and finding your rhythm. When and if you decide to introduce routines or sleep training, be sure that you and your partner have the same goals. Consistency is important. In the early days, even a few hours of solid sleep can be a victory. Celebrate it.
3. Babies Don’t Mean to Frustrate You
Some days, nothing will work. Every attempt to calm your baby will fail. You may feel frustrated or even helpless.
Remember to take a deep breath and remember that they are not trying to upset you. They are not trying to manipulate you. Both are new mothers. They cry because it’s their only means of communication. They cry because they want you. Sometimes, they simply need to cry. It doesn’t mean that you are failing, but it does mean you and they are both human.
4. All Advice Must Be Taken in Stride
Everybody will have something interesting to say, from strangers in the supermarket to your mother-in-law. Some advice may be useful, while others could feel like criticism. What is the best thing that you can do? Smile, thank them, and put it away.
You know your baby best. You are the best person to know your baby. You should keep an open mind, but also filter all information through your own unique experience. Not all tips will be suitable for every family. It’s okay.
5. Babies Cry and It’s Okay
You can be moved to tears by a crying baby. You may feel as if you are doing something wrong, but their crying is the language they use. They cry to express “I am hungry,” “I am tired,” and “I am overwhelmed.”
You’ll eventually learn to distinguish between the different sounds: the frustrated scream, the tired wail. For now, you just need to be present, hold them close, and let them know that you are listening. It’s more important to be there than to have all the answers.
6. Your Partner is Just as Tired as You
It may not seem like it. It might not feel like it. It doesn’t make them any less tired.
You will both have to adjust to being parents. Communicate openly. Early on, resentment can easily build up. Allow each other space to rest, vent, and feel human again. You are a team, so support each other.
7. Babies Make All Kinds of Sounds
Your baby may sound like a small farm animal when they are hiccuping or farting. This is often done in their sleep. At first, it can be alarming, especially when you are feeding your baby at night.
These noises are part of normal development. Many of these strange sounds will eventually pass, as their digestive systems are still developing. You can always ask your pediatrician if you are ever in doubt. Chances are, the sounds will pass.
8. Plan Your Household if You Want to Be Organized
For some mums, order and structure are the foundations of their lives. Do what you can in advance to prepare. Hire a cleaner, if you can afford it, and prepare meals in bulk. Set up feeding stations and changing stations around the house.
Let yourself off the hook when things become chaotic. Babies don’t care how the laundry looks — what matters is that they are held, fed, and loved.
9. Skin-to-skin contact is powerful
Skin-to-skin is a magical experience. It regulates the temperature of your baby, promotes breastfeeding, and stabilizes his heart rate.
Spend as much time cuddling your baby as possible, especially during the early days.T ake the baby’s diaper off and cuddle him under a blanket. This is a grounding exercise for you both.
10. Create a Feeding Area
You’ll spend a lot of time at one place, whether you’re bottle-feeding or breastfeeding. Make sure it’s comfortable.
Set up an essentials corner: water bottle, snacks, and tissues. It’s your refuge during long feeding sessions.
11. Do Not Stress Out About Sleeping Problems
It’s possible that you won’t always be able to sleep when your baby does. That’s okay.
Rest instead. Close your eyes and lie down. Breathe deeply. Even if you are racing in your head, let your body remain still. Rest itself is restorative.
12. It Can be Difficult to Feed Your Baby, Both for You and the Baby.
It’s not always easy to breastfeed. The bottle feeding process is not without its challenges, from choosing the right formula to coping with colic and spit-up.
No matter how you feed your baby, remember that fed is the best. You, your baby, and your sanity will benefit from doing what you find works. If you need assistance, you are not alone. Reach out to lactation specialists or pediatricians.
13. Go Outside
Fresh air is good medicine. Even a 10-minute walk around your block can change your mood, calm down your body, and help you reconnect to yourself.
Strap your baby in a pram, sling, or carrier and go outside. Nature is a great reminder that life goes on, even if we are knee-deep in nappy soiled clothes.
14. Bulk Wipes – Buy them in Bulk
Your new best friend is baby wipes. Keep them in your car, every roomm and in every bag.
You’ll never know when they will be needed. You’ll be grateful to have a supply on hand when your child inevitably spits out the moment you change into a new shirt.
15. Give Yourself Time for Recovery
Your body just did something amazing. Your body deserves patience and rest after a vaginal or C-section birth.
Do not rush the healing process. Don’t rush the healing process. Allow others to help. Ask for help. Ask for help.
16. Every Baby is Different
Even siblings can differ from one another. A baby may sleep through the night at eight week swhile another wakes up hourly by ten months.
Comparison steals joy. Accept your baby’s personality and unique needs. Your journey is not a failure because it looks different.
17. It’s not the Right Way To Do This
Each family is unique. Each baby is unique. What works for me is the right way.
If it feels right to you and is safe, it’s the right thing.
18. There Will Be Good Days and Bad Days
Some days are full of smiles and naps. Some days are noisy, me,ssy, and emotionally draining.
That’s normal. Do not let a bad mothering day make you feel like you are a bad parent. Take a minute to think about one positive thing that happened during the day.
19. Find Humour In The Chaos
You will spill milk. You will have spit up on your clothes. You’ll forget the day.
Sometimes the best thing to do is just laugh. Even though it may seem like they will never end, these moments won’t last forever. Start practicing today so you can laugh one day.
20. It is Only this Little Once
The days may be long, but they are few. It’s a cliché because it’s real.
Takcuddlecudd
les. Take as many photos as you can. No to unneeded plans. The dishes can wait. Your baby will not remember the mess in the house, but they will remember how much you loved them.
21. Do Not Doubt Yourself
It’s not a book. You will make mistakes and learn from them. To your baby, you are perfect. You are the whole world to them.
Be kind to yourself. You’re doing a great job, even with cracked nipples and unwashed locks.
Conclusion
This journey is sacred, hard, beautiful, and exhausting. No gold medal is awarded for “doing it right” — there’s only joy, connection, and love.
Mama, you’ve got it. Take it one day at aa time
