from new moms to moms to be
Hello everyone! I haven't been here for awhile..my not-so-little Cael is now about 4 1/2 months old and we're all doing great, but I'd like to ask for a bit of help, and at the same time, perhaps give a little :) Awhile back, I posted a little list of tidbits of advice/inspiration/encouragement that got me through the first couple weeks of motherhood. Well, now a very good friend of mine is expecting soon and I'd like to make her a little book of these...a couple on each page with some illustrations I think. Anyway I couldn't find a new mom community that has been kept up, except for parenting101 but I have to wait to be accepted. So I figured meanwhile, there are definitely some mothers here that can help me out. Here's some of the things I have thus far, maybe you could add any little somethings that you think would be helpful? It's just going to be a nice, light-hearted, sometimes serious sometimes not little handbook. And...first time mom-to-be's...this is def a good read! Most are from me, some are from books, some are from friends..etc etc(PS - i know all of mine are in masc. form..I'm not playing favorites; she's having a little boy :)
Warning! This list is very long, and I'll probably only be adding to it :)
#1. Breathe. Repeat.
2. your house will be messy for awhile. it's okay.
3. showering is optional
4. if nothing else, keep your sense of humor
5. you may have spent hours agonizing over the organization of your baby's nursery, closet, etc. but chances are it will go from cute to chaos in 2.3 seconds. Don't stress over it.
6. The first week is the hardest. It is overwhelming, exhausting and there is simply no way to prepare for it. That being said, feel better about not doing it perfectly. I don't think anyone does.
7. Receiving blankets. Have alot of them. They are great for swaddling, spit-up, laying him on any surface, warming him, drying him, cleaning him...taking care of a newborn is much like hitchhiking across the galaxy in that you should always know where your towel (blanket) is :)
8. It gets better. Soon. I promise :)
9.that smell/sound/discharge is probably normal
10. Remember, you are now the world to someone..how great a feeling is that?
11. Yes, your baby is indeed the most beautiful baby ever :)
12. You will soon learn to utilize all extremeties almost simultaneously. Be proud of being able to pick up those socks with your toes while cradling him in one arm and switching the laundry with the other.
13. Don't forget to eat. I'm serious..it happens :)
14. wipies are awesome at cleaning EVERYTHING (including yourself)
15. for gas? bicycle kicks are magical....
16. You are still you. Never forget it, never feel bad about it
17. sweatpants can be sexy too
18. Don't be so critical of yourself..you're doing great!
19. Always bring extra clothes (for the both of you)
20. If someone wants to help out, let them
21. If you need help, ask
22. Take lots of pictures
23. Your brain is taking a little vacation. Maybe a long one. It happens :)
24. Your body is not the same. And nobody expects it to be..be proud of your battle scars, do what you can, and accept the rest
25. "Mommy brain" is an acceptable excuse for almost anything
26. Five minutes on the exercise bike is a GREAT workout. good job!
27. When possible: Long hot showers, long warm naps
28. Record EVERYTHING
29. When changing a diaper, ALWAYS breathe through your mouth
30. Always have a spare, clean sheet and changing pad cover
31. Trust your gut
32. Date night is a necessity
33. Don't think you have to stop having fun bc you have a baby, Have fun WITH your baby!
34. When in doubt, call mom
35. Don't worry, to all those people without kids, you totally look like you know what you;re doing :)
36. Take a minute for both of you to just look at him, together. It's amazing how close this brings you
37. He'll be even bigger tomorrow!
38. Do NOT attempt to try on your old clothes right now. It can only bring anguish.
39. Fall in love with your partner falling in love with your baby
40. Be a little selfish sometimes
41. Go for a walk with him
42. Don't make any big plans. You'll just stress when they change :)
43. Sometimes you need to let yourself trust his parenting.......Maybe you've read more books, but afterall, you've both had the same amount of real life parenting experience
44. you're still gorgeous!
Warning! This list is very long, and I'll probably only be adding to it :)
#1. Breathe. Repeat.
2. your house will be messy for awhile. it's okay.
3. showering is optional
4. if nothing else, keep your sense of humor
5. you may have spent hours agonizing over the organization of your baby's nursery, closet, etc. but chances are it will go from cute to chaos in 2.3 seconds. Don't stress over it.
6. The first week is the hardest. It is overwhelming, exhausting and there is simply no way to prepare for it. That being said, feel better about not doing it perfectly. I don't think anyone does.
7. Receiving blankets. Have alot of them. They are great for swaddling, spit-up, laying him on any surface, warming him, drying him, cleaning him...taking care of a newborn is much like hitchhiking across the galaxy in that you should always know where your towel (blanket) is :)
8. It gets better. Soon. I promise :)
9.that smell/sound/discharge is probably normal
10. Remember, you are now the world to someone..how great a feeling is that?
11. Yes, your baby is indeed the most beautiful baby ever :)
12. You will soon learn to utilize all extremeties almost simultaneously. Be proud of being able to pick up those socks with your toes while cradling him in one arm and switching the laundry with the other.
13. Don't forget to eat. I'm serious..it happens :)
14. wipies are awesome at cleaning EVERYTHING (including yourself)
15. for gas? bicycle kicks are magical....
16. You are still you. Never forget it, never feel bad about it
17. sweatpants can be sexy too
18. Don't be so critical of yourself..you're doing great!
19. Always bring extra clothes (for the both of you)
20. If someone wants to help out, let them
21. If you need help, ask
22. Take lots of pictures
23. Your brain is taking a little vacation. Maybe a long one. It happens :)
24. Your body is not the same. And nobody expects it to be..be proud of your battle scars, do what you can, and accept the rest
25. "Mommy brain" is an acceptable excuse for almost anything
26. Five minutes on the exercise bike is a GREAT workout. good job!
27. When possible: Long hot showers, long warm naps
28. Record EVERYTHING
29. When changing a diaper, ALWAYS breathe through your mouth
30. Always have a spare, clean sheet and changing pad cover
31. Trust your gut
32. Date night is a necessity
33. Don't think you have to stop having fun bc you have a baby, Have fun WITH your baby!
34. When in doubt, call mom
35. Don't worry, to all those people without kids, you totally look like you know what you;re doing :)
36. Take a minute for both of you to just look at him, together. It's amazing how close this brings you
37. He'll be even bigger tomorrow!
38. Do NOT attempt to try on your old clothes right now. It can only bring anguish.
39. Fall in love with your partner falling in love with your baby
40. Be a little selfish sometimes
41. Go for a walk with him
42. Don't make any big plans. You'll just stress when they change :)
43. Sometimes you need to let yourself trust his parenting.......Maybe you've read more books, but afterall, you've both had the same amount of real life parenting experience
44. you're still gorgeous!