What is the best advice you can give to a first time, new parent?

Answer 1

Sleep when the baby sleeps. The house, laundry, dishes can wait. You need as much rest as you can get to be better able to emotionally handle the parenting.

Answer 2

Sleep when you can, and when you can't remember that babies are so little for so short a time. Try to be patient, in the beginning you will get nothing but cries, screams and silence but when you get that first smile at one or two months, your heart will be so full!
Do read books, I've seen many who comment that 'experts' don't know what they are talking about, but they must not really read their books. Many books will answer your early questions, reassure you that your baby is 'normal', give you tips on how to get your baby to be a good sleeper, and lots of good general advice. I recommend "Healthy Sleep, Happy Child" "Baby Hearts" and "What to expect: The first year". Also a great website is www.babycenter.com.
Finally, ask your pediatrician about ANYTHING! New parents are always afraid their questions will be 'silly'. They are not, and your pediatrician is there to answer so don't feel bad!
Good Luck, God Bless and Congratulations!!

Answer 3

The best advice I can give is to not let anyone tell you how to be a parent to your child. Everyone has an opinion and thinks its their place to chime in, but its not. You will know how to be a parent and exactly what your child needs. Dont feel guilty if you dont do things just as someone else says they would, its not their business or child.
The second best advice is to give your child all of your love and respect.

Answer 4

Go by what you think is best for your child not what people say is the "norm" if your child is hungry feed it.

Learn from your mistakes and believe me everyone makes them because there is no such thing as a perfect parent.

Follow your heart: If you want to pick up your baby and give it a cuddle then do that. They don't stay small for very long so enjoy it while it lasts.

Just remember when they get bigger to let them live their life the way they want to. You are there to guide them and keep them out of trouble. Just let them be themselves and enjoy every minute of it! :)

I am a new mum myself. I know I don't know everything but I also know that, that is ok because I will learn as time goes by everything I need to know about my child.

Answer 5

Don't listen to the person that said to only have one because you will love the first one more-this is ridiculous! However many you have you will have enough love to go around. My advise would be enjoy every minute and try not to rush everything. I couldn't wait until they did everything and time really does fly by and it will all be a blur. Try to enjoy each stage of childhood and don't let other mothers tell you your baby should be already doing this or that yours will do it when he or she is ready and they all develop at different speeds but it is normal. Enjoy your baby and keep laughing even though you will want to cry plenty of times!

Answer 6

The best advice I can give you is to relax. As long as the kiddo is loved, fed, changed, and bathed regularly, he'll make it through. :)

Too many new parents are way too stressed. It's not so bad - don't worry about every little thing!

Oh, and a tip for diaper rash...if the wee one gets a really bad case of diaper rash, dip a cotton ball in Maalox and dab it on the diaper area. It helps break down the acids in urine to prevent it from causing even more damage, and it gives it a chance to heal.

Answer 7

There is no such thing as too much love, too many hugs, or too many kisses.

It's okay to pick them up when they cry. They need to be secure in the knowledge that you are always there for them.

Always jump in mud puddles with them.

Say "yes" more than "no".

Always remember that your child is a person and an individual with legitimate feelings.

Always smile when you see them. Let them know how glad you are to see them.

It's okay for them to eat mac and cheese for a week straight.

Respect goes both ways.

Have fun, because that baby will be 12 before you know it, like mine.

Answer 8

Sleep when they do when they are tiny and so scary.
Always listen to your instincts and common sense.
Find a great doctor and communicate...the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask.
Laundry, dusting, vacuuming and dirty dishes are not as important as your child is...they get done eventually.
Don't rush potty training....it is easier and quicker if you let them take the lead.
Don't let them see you cry when you send them off to school that first day....suck it up til they are gone then sob your heart out if you need to.
Remember always you want them to be strong and independent. So you have to learn how to let go...and let them grow.
Bumps, bruises and scraps heal, broken hearts don't.
Play in the rain...and the mud...it all washes off!
Teach them faith and belief.
Teach them responsibility and honor.
Teach them the beauty of art and reading and music...all forms.
Teach them history of the world and of family.
Teach them the value of what they have...not what they want.
Teach them the difference between want and need.
Teach them compassion and giving.
Teach them that color of skin is unimportant. We all bleed red.
Always try to reach past your own fears so they don't have them too (like of a dentist or flying or testing).
Remember they really are their own person...treasure their differences...don't try to change them!

Above all else Love them. They grow up so fast!!!

Answer 9

Doctors aren't always right. Trust your instincts! You spend more time with your child than the doc. If you have a feeling something isn't right, do not rest until you are satisfied.

My son's GERD went undiagnosed ( and untreated) until he was almost 4 months old. I had to research his symptoms and bring the printed material in to get the doc's attention. (yes, we are changing doctors!)

If you have a high-maintenance child, check out www.askdrsears.com He's saved my sanity more than once with his tips on easier night nursing, and how to deal with a fussy baby.

Answer 10

As an early intervention specialist, I work with physcial therapis and occupational therapist. Our number one advice to parents is floor time. Children develop motor control from head to toe (cephal-caudal) and from outside the body in ( priximal-distal), After a few weeks of age a infant should spend on fifth of his wake time on his stomach on the floor.

Answer 11

Sleep when the baby sleeps and if the baby sleeps through the night dont get used to it because it probably won't last but enjoy it when it does happen. Enjoy every minute because they don't stay little for long.