I'm pregnant with number two, but feel this is a good question for first time moms to read.
Some of my advice:
- sleep when the baby sleeps, hard to do but you really need to
- vaseline! At every diaper change. It keeps the wetness and poo away from baby's skin so that it doesn't get diaper rash. Apply it liberally after each and every diaper change.
- get help when you need it. When I was a first time mom, I wanted to be super-mom, and didn't want help from anybody, but there's nothing wrong with help. Even if it's just with a meal here or there or with a diaper change or feeding. Nothing wrong with a little help!
Please add your suggestions to the list, I'm interested in seeing what we can all come up with!
Thanks a lot! :)
2007-02-16 05:22:04 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My first recommendation is the book "On Becoming Babywise" by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam, M.D. It teaches so much about babies sleeping patterns (just because they're making noise doesn't mean they're waking up), and helps parents flexibly schedule a babies day to get plenty of sleep, food, and waketime. And, it is possible for babies to learn to sleep through the night with more than just "luck" (my not quite 3 month old went from 8:30pm to 6:30am last night)
Second, the vaseline is a good idea, just make sure you don't go overboard or you might make the diaper waterproof and end up with leaking diapers.
2007-02-16 05:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
-baby cloths, don't buy to many of one size. I always heard that babies grow fast....but WOW, I never though that it was going to be that fast.
-always ask for help!! It is so hard being a mother! Doing everthing really wears you out and fast!
-Breastfeeding: I wasn't prepared for how time comsuming it would be. Especially for a newborn. Don't get me wrong, I would never change that I breastfed, but it is very draning. You need to drink plenty of fluids and eat right!! The baby will want to eat every 2 hours. You are breastfeeding for about 30 minutes (if you're lucky) and then all of the burpings and diaper changes....and then you have to start all over again. I loved every minute of the bonding though!
-Don't buy the changing table.....believe me you won't want to go to it for every changing. And in the beginning, there is A LOT of diaper changes!!
-Make time for you! When baby is sleeping, take a nice bath, have sex with your husband/boyfriend (I know this doesn't sound like a good idea, but it relieves a lot of stress!), fix yourself up.
-Try to keep up with the baby book. It's hard but you and your child will enjoy it later. (I even take a hand and foot print at the end of every month. I have a little scrapbook where I keep them all. I love looking back everytime I take a new one. I sometimes get choked up looking at the first few prints...they were so tiny!)
Hope this helps the list!
2007-02-16 05:51:00 · answer #2 · answered by g's mama 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be aware that the first few weeks/months can be a real challenge but rest assured that you will get through it.
I remember thinking I was going out of my mind in the first few weeks when my newborn baby boy had his days and nights mixed up, cried all the time, and slept for what seemed to be short stretches only. At 8 weeks, he seemed to cry less, sleep more, and became a generally happy guy. He is now almost 4 months and I find myself reminiscing about his newborn days and missing the sounds he used to make and how small he felt when I held him. They change so quickly and every stage they go thru does not last for long. Write down as much as you can in a journal, take a ton of video and pictures. Cherish every second you share with your baby.
2007-02-17 12:51:52 · answer #3 · answered by missyB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of vaseline for each changing and I have 2 children..babies wont' get diaper rash if you change them often, and change them right away when they poo...
That being said...try to nap (though I don't) and sure ask for help, if you have that option, which I didn't...LOL..I'm not much help here...
What I can say is spend alot of time talking, singing, reading to your baby, even at the beginning. Babies love it and it helps them develop...
For some of the younger pregnant girls or mothers, when you are stressed out, crying, and dealing with a screaming baby that is fed and clean, just lay her/him in a safe place (crib) for a couple minutes and allow yourself to cool down. There is too much baby death in the world.
2007-02-16 05:29:57 · answer #4 · answered by Christine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have to make one bottle, make several. I would prep powdered formula for my son so that all I had to do was add water to the bottle. It really made those 3am feedings much easier.
Trust your instincts. You are the momma. If you get stupid advice, just smile and nod and forget about it.
Cover that little penis with a washcloth when you change his diaper!
Baby Einstein videos and CDs are a godsend. The music is soothing to little ears.
Keep a small notebook handy so you can record the special moments and milestones.
Take a TON of pictures.
Be sure to schedule time for yourself.
It's okay if the house is messy. Your baby is what's important.
Cornstarch is great sprinkled on little bottoms.
Enjoy it. They don't stay little for long!
2007-02-16 05:31:02 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda M 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have a 13 month old and I wish I would have listened to all the advice I got !!! Those 3 you said are sooooo true. ALL first time moms REALLY listen!! My advice is
- DO NOT PUT THE BABY IN THE BED WITH YOU!! ( I did it adn just got her out two months ago...by the way she is 13 months)
- Listen to all experianced moms!! they all have good adivice remember they have been there.. adn know more than you :)
- Do not hold the baby all the time..it is ok to hold them some but DO not over due it or you will be paying for it for years to come
oh ya stock up on dipers they are the things you need the most!!
Also, babys might get diper rash no matter what you do!! Mine had it because she pooped like 10 times a day for the first week or so till we figured out she was allergic to all milks...event soy!!
So not blame yourself for anything.
2007-02-16 05:29:14 · answer #6 · answered by mommy of 2 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I disagree about the Vaseline. The skin wont breathe. Dry and clean keep diaper rash away.
One piece of advise I have is to be clear what you expect from your husband. Remember he is a parent too and should partake in caring for the baby as well. (feeding, diapering, bathing)
2007-02-16 05:30:05 · answer #7 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said not to try to be a supermom. Your baby is only a baby for such a short time that it's way more important to spend time with your baby and help them grow and develop than to have a spotlessly clean house and an amazing dinner on the table every night. That can all come later or be done by someone else but only you can be a mother to your baby.
2007-02-16 08:49:53 · answer #8 · answered by kelly R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good advice so far, especially from those who said place your child in the crib and let them cry for a few minutes after you've done everything you can for him/her.
Relax and play with you child as much as possible. Sometimes
it's okay to keep your pajamas on all day!
Other days it's good to get out. I had a friend who didn't take her child grocery shopping with her until her daughter was 6 months old. As for my daughter, she stayed strapped in her snuggli next to me while we shopped, played putt putt, and so on.
Take up those offers from family and close friends - they love to babysit for a few hours! You still need your own time by yourself and with your spouse every now and then.
Carry an extra outfit for yourself and baby - accidents happen.
When you cook a meal, make extra and freeze the leftovers. (It's actually a good idea to do this while your still pregnant.)
Enjoy every moment with your child. Take walks and talk to your baby, take baths together, and just have fun. The first year passes by very fast!
2007-02-16 09:05:39 · answer #9 · answered by bgirl79 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
be careful about what you do and say around your kids cause what seems harmless coming from an adult can be very terrible when a small child says or does it. They copy everything we do.
read to your kids alot even if it doesn't seem like they are paying attention, it will benifit them so much in the long run.
if you need to clip you newborns finger nails, wait till they're fast asleep it's easier to do when they aren't moving around.
don't over dress your baby it will make them hot and uncomfortable. a rule of thumb is that they are usually comfortable wearng the same amount of clothes as you.
2007-02-16 05:29:49 · answer #10 · answered by clbaiz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋