Motherhood is the opportunity of a lifetime! Not only do you get to raise wonderful young ones into independent, good-natured adults, but you’ll also learn a lot about yourself and become stronger every step of the way.
Somehow you just know when you’re talking to a mother instead of someone without kids. They always seem to have that internal strength, pride, and a deep sense of kindness that doesn’t just happen on its own!
If you’re a brand new mom, you’ve got your work cut out for you, but we’re here to help make things just a bit easier. Here are a few tips from Mon Coeur for being the best mom you can be.
Preparation is Everything
In the months and weeks leading up to the big day, you’ve got a lot on your mind, and maybe you aren’t feeling 100% from a physical standpoint. Use this time to prepare mentally and get as many ducks in a row as possible, because your focus will soon shift to non-stop childcare.
This could mean stocking up on diapers, buying groceries in bulk, setting up a designated space for the baby in your home, or simply organizing your personal space to make things more clean and serene for the new guest of honor.
We all know how great it feels to be on top of our stuff when organizing for work and personal affairs, and that applies tenfold to when you have a baby in the picture.
This is also the time to do as much reading and learning as possible – just like you’re doing right now! Get through that stack of baby books or ask questions to family and friends to get a range of different insights and opinions.
Nothing can fully prepare you for being a new mom, but these tips will put you in a better position to stay healthy and happy throughout the most challenging stages of early parenthood.
Maintain Some Semblance of Schedule
If you’re the type of person who thrives on routines and daily planning, be ready for quite a change of pace. With a newborn or infant in the house, your schedule will rarely be consistent from one day to the next.
This doesn’t mean you should throw all your good habits out the window or neglect your own needs. It’s just going to take some more flexibility on your part.
The baby will set the pace for your days and nights for at least a couple of months, so learn to go with the flow and let them structure your routine. Don’t expect them to match your schedule – they are the stars of the show right now, and you’re the key supporting cast member!
The first few days will be a bit frantic, but things will even out after several weeks, and you can start to follow a schedule that feels semi-normal for an adult.
The big events of the day will be feeding, playing, sleeping, diaper changes, and maybe some quiet time. It’s a lot of repetition, but you’ll get a feel for the cycle of activities and learn to anticipate the baby’s needs ahead of time. That makes things so much easier.
Some apps even let you track the frequency and timing of these key activities, so use tech to your advantage and learn from previous patterns to stay on top of your schedule.
Give Yourself a Time-Out
As moms, it’s in our nature to move at a million miles an hour, every single second of the day.
Juggling household chores, shopping, schedule coordinating, side hustles – it all adds up, and even the most productive mommies need a break from the chaos every so often!
Maybe for you, that means asking a relative or a friend to come over and lend a hand—it really does take a village! Plus, that’ll give you an excuse to show off your little one to someone, and it’ll give you a moment for yourself.
A quick trip to the coffee shop or a walk in the park can be such a refreshing and enjoyable experience. Other easy activities include:
- Meeting a friend for lunch
- Treating yourself to a massage
- Attending a relaxing yoga class
- Getting a facial or spa treatment
- Browsing around your favorite store
- Taking a quick nap with headphones
- Watching an episode of a funny show
These activities might only fill a half-hour, but a half-hour of me-time can be invaluable
When you get back home and regroup with your little one, you’ll have a fresh battery and be ready for more.
Learn to Soothe the Right Way
Most of your tasks as a mom will be pretty intuitive at first. Breastfeeding, diaper changing, playing peek-a-boo – it can be done. When your baby is crying and won’t calm down, that’s when things get trickier, and you need some effective ways to soothe them quickly.
Experts like Dr. Harvey Karp suggest that you cycle through the five main calming moves, which include swaddling, shushing, swinging, side-stomach positioning, and sucking.
Read up on each one to get the details, and be sure to practice each one safely. There won’t be a perfect explanation for why some techniques work better than others or why some children respond preferably in different scenarios.
The point is to have all these methods in your tool bag and put them into action without hesitation! If you keep trying them all, there’s one combination that is sure to take effect.
Bring Friendly Faces into the Mix
Your baby is going to want a lot of one-on-one time with mommy, but it’s also smart to introduce new faces to your young one now and then to help them socialize and adapt to new situations.
Make sure dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents have a chance to be up-close and personal with the baby when they are in a calm and happy mood. It’s good to have them hear new voices, see different faces, and experience skin contact from loved ones.
It won’t always be the right time for social hour, so be aware of when your baby just wants some solo or alone time. When you start bringing more friends and family around, this will also help you catch a break and maybe get some coffee!
Create a Cute and Comfy Wardrobe
How you dress your baby is more important than you might think! The best baby clothes are super-soft and allow your little one to feel extra happy and cozy throughout the day.
There will be some accidents, of course, and you should always have a steady rotation of fresh onesies, t-shirts, and blankets ready to go. Make sure the clothes you buy are durable and ready for many journeys through the washing machine and dryer.
As your child grows up, dress them in cute, quality clothes that they will love to wear. Invest in items that are built to last and can be passed down through the generations, rather than simply tossed away.
You’ve got the makings of a great mom already, so embrace the adventure and enjoy every minute!
Sources:
The Best Advice for New Moms - and what we could do without | Parenting From the Heart
The 5 S's for Baby: A Guide for Soothing Your Little One | Healthline
What You Need to Know About Establishing Baby Schedules | The Bump
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