Are you expecting your first little bundle of joy? Well, you’re really in for a treat! However, the first year of parenting can be super stressful, so it’s great to know what requires your attention and what doesn’t. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Forget about what others say
When you come back home with your baby, everyone will act like they’re the expert on parenting. However, you shouldn’t worry about them. Find out what works best for you and your baby, and you’ll all be just fine. Most of the issues that your child might experience later in life can’t be traced to anything you did or didn’t do.
Sleep whenever you can
In those first few weeks you will be utterly exhausted, so getting as much sleep as you can whenever you can will help get you through night feeds. Luckily, sleepless nights don’t last forever. Still, if you can, try getting one of those white noise machines. Babies are used to constant white noise in the womb, so the sound will be very soothing for them.
Babies actually don’t need much
While some people love shopping for baby things, if you find it stressful, you can skip almost 90% of items. The Finnish government provides new parents with something called the Finnish baby box with only a box, sleeping bag, clothing, bedding, toiletries and diapers—that’s it! But, getting those baby toys can be very fun for both babies and parents, so you can always find cute toys on this website and grab a few adorable items. Even when they get ready for something new, you can still keep their first toys as mementos.
Don’t stress about breastfeeding
Breastfeeding doesn’t work for everyone, so don’t stress about it too much. If you’re really struggling, but still want to provide mother’s milk to your baby, you can see a breastfeeding specialist that can help. Pro tip: if you need a breast pump, contact your insurance company and you can snag a free machine. It will save you a lot of money and time.
Accept all the help you can get
If a family member or a friend offers to give you some alone-time for grabbing coffee or making dinner, make sure to say yes. Accept all the help you can get—it will do wonders for your mental health.
Don’t ignore baby blues
Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t make you a bad parent. Actually, most new parents feel like this, especially mothers going through some tough hormone changes. Finding someone to talk to can be very helpful. Also, make sure to get some exercise. Even if you had only a few hours of sleep, some physical activity will release endorphins and help you banish baby blues.
Get out of the house
Those first few weeks can make you feel completely isolated from the world. Even if you like your little bubble, it’s still healthy to go out, take a short walk, soak up some sun and fresh air and enjoy the world around you—it’s a great way to achieve balance.
Reconnect with your partner
Even those little things like holding hands, cuddling or chatting over dinner can make both of you feel included and loved. It will strengthen your bond and make everything just a little bit easier.
Having a baby is a miracle of nature that can sometimes be hard to handle. Luckily, with these tips, you’ll remember those days as the happiest time of your life!
Article by Nemanja Marinkoff. Marinkoff is the editor-in-chief @ Walkjogrun.net. He was raised in Srpski Itebej and since then he’s lived in many different countries. You can find him on Twitter.
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