You’re about to embark on the most amazing journey of your life: becoming a mom.
This tiny little bundle of joy is about to change your entire world.
You’re going to be bombarded by countless amounts of advice for new moms from loved ones that mean well and doctors that make a living off of guiding parents through those first precious years of life.
While it may seem overwhelming at first, our top ten list of must-know tips for new moms will have you well on your way to rocking this whole mom thing.
1. Build your village
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that is certainly true. While new moms might want to do it all on their own, no one person can tackle such a big job. Surround yourself with loving and supportive friends and family who aren’t afraid to step in when times get tough.
But who also knows when it’s time to back off and let you make the decisions regarding your own child? Take people up on their offer to babysit. Have play dates with fellow moms where you can vent and exchange parenting stories. Lean on your friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, and other parents who have been down the path you’re walking on.
Knowing that you’re not alone on this incredible journey will make it all seem a little more manageable.
2. Look to the one who loves you the most—your mom.
No one loves like a mother does, and while you are so focused on starting this new journey, your own mother is watching her child get ready to embark on a monumental life change. She’s witnessing your body change and wants to be there to support you however she can. If you’re lucky enough to have your mom or a special mother figure in your life, lean on her.
Ask for advice, don’t turn away her attempts at helping, and try to remember that her heart is in the right place—even if sometimes it seems like she’s trying to tell you what to do. Remember that you never stop being a mother—even when your child becomes an adult and has a baby of their own.
Her years of experience will help you get through the rough waters of being a parent.
3. Include your companion.
There are some things only a mother can do, but there are so many things that your partner can lend a hand with. Diaper changes, baths, bottle feeding, playtime, soothing—the list of ways they can chip in is virtually endless. While a new dad’s body may not be changing, their hearts and minds are getting ready to welcome this new life into theirs. Let them be involved as much as possible because the bond between your baby and its father is just as important as the bond you and your baby will share.
Ask them to come to appointments, hold their hand in the delivery room, don’t push them away when they try to help with feedings in the middle of the night, and try not to get discouraged if they make a few mistakes. They love your child just as much as you do, and they need reassurance that they’re doing a good job, too.
4. Don’t overload your brain with too much information.
It’s great to read a few parenting books and ask for advice from family, friends, and doctors, but too much knowledge is not only overwhelming—it’s unnecessary. The moment your baby is born, you’ll have everything you need. Your motherly instincts will kick in, and no amount of internet searching can compare to that.
If you keep filling your mind with facts about babies, you will not only feel mentally tired, but too much information can also be confusing. Your obstetrician and pediatrician are the best people to seek advice from. They have years of real medical experience to help guide you on your parenting journey.
5. Go with your gut.
A mother's intuition is genuine. Mothers are connected to their babies from the moment their little hearts start beating in their wombs. It’s a bond that no one can describe; you just have to feel it for yourself. If you think something isn’t right with your child, trust your instinct. It's better to get it checked out and find out it's nothing than to avoid seeking help for fear of overreacting and finding out it's something.
Pediatricians expect a lot of phone calls from new moms, so take comfort in knowing you aren’t the first one to ask about that unusual rash or wonder why your baby isn’t latching properly. If something doesn’t feel right, get it checked.
6. Make time for yourself.
It’s easy to get caught up in the busy daily activities of a mother. You may look down and suddenly realize you’ve been wearing the same pajamas for two days, and you can’t recall the last time you took a shower. While your baby will certainly be your main priority, don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way. Your child needs a mother who is healthy and happy in order to take great care of them.
Schedule time for a shower each day and a few moments of quiet time where you can do something you enjoy, like reading a book or exercising. Set aside some time each week to get out of the house for a little while, too. Every mom can use a little pampering or time with their girlfriends now and then.
7. Sleep as often as you can.
You’re going to find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep during those first few months.
Babies only sleep a few hours at a time, which means broken sleep for mom. Catch those z’s as often as you can, whether it’s while the baby’s napping or when your partner can keep an eye on the little one for a while. It might be tempting to take care of other tasks during those moments instead of sleeping, but your health has to take precedence over laundry and dishes. A messy house isn’t the end of the world, but being sleep-deprived might make you feel like it is.
8. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be the "perfect" mom. News flash: No mom is perfect. We all make mistakes, and that’s okay. Your child will still turn out just fine. All babies really need is love and care, so as long as you’re providing that, you’re doing a great job. If you have a moment where you feel like you’ve messed up, forgive yourself and learn from it.
Being a new mom is hard work, and with that challenge come a few growing pains. As long as you’re getting up and showing up each day for that sweet baby, you’re doing a great job.
9. Make motherhood fun!
Yes, the messy diapers, chapped nipples, and stretch marks aren’t pleasant, but motherhood offers so many chances to have fun! The first smile, the first coo, the first tooth, the first steps—your baby is going to have so many exciting milestones, and you’re going to be right there to experience them all. What an amazing blessing it is to have this special little person put into your life for you to love and guide.
Attend those Mommy & Me classes, make all the cute crafts you see on Pinterest, wear matching outfits, take your child to museums, parks, and zoos, or do whatever you can to enjoy this remarkable time in your life that will never happen again.
10. Take it all in.
It’s overwhelming, this whole motherhood journey. You’ll be exhausted, stressed, and worried. But you’ll also be so in love with this tiny miracle. You’ll be amazed at every little thing they do. Your heart will grow bigger than you ever could have imagined.
And the time will go by so incredibly fast. Do your best to enjoy every moment. When you feel like breaking down, smile even through those tears. Look at your sweet angel baby and realize that you were chosen to be their mom.
What an extraordinary blessing that is.
The best advice for a new mom is to breathe in that soft baby scent, lay gentle kisses on that delicate cheek, and absorb all those tiny snuggles. Before you know it, your baby will be a toddler, and your toddler will be in primary school, and your little one will no longer be little. Those chubby hands and feet will fade away, and in their place will be stinky teenage socks and painted toenails. The little baby you doted on will be a young adult that will still look to you for guidance because you’re their mom. The one who loves them more than anything: Be their mom, and you will always be more than enough.
Chloe Joie Anti-Stretch Mark Cream acts as a preventive measure or to stop the appearance of stretch marks. It helps to reduce stretch marks that you already have and prevents them from getting worse by improving your skin’s texture. It promotes healthy and glowing skin that looks firm, toned and youthful. Click HERE to buy!
Cradle Me Baby's Pregnancy Seat Belt Adjuster secures the seatbelt on your legs around your abdomen. This reduces the risk of injury from sudden braking or an accident. Click HERE to see the offer!
Our pregnancy Belly Band is made of a new, super-soft, lightweight material that targets, prevents, and gets rid of common aches and pains of pregnancy like no other product. Click HERE to see the offer!
With our prenatal doppler, you can monitor your baby's heartbeat at any time, anywhere. In minutes, you will be able to hear your baby's heartbeat thanks to the device's ease of use and simple instructions. Click HERE to see the offer!
Check out our Cradle Me baby Shop!!