There is no way to be ready for the chaos that will follow a new mommy’s journey, particularly if this is her first kid. Caring for a helpless child all day, every day—sometimes on very little sleep—rather than just yourself is an adjustment that takes some getting accustomed to.
While there is no lack of knowledge and accurate advice on infant care in parenting books and internet resources, there are instances when you may use some wise words combined with a dose of truth. Because becoming a parent is both an incredible and difficult experience, I have compiled some tips from moms who have been where you are. Reading these pearls of wisdom will provide practical, realistic, and reassuring advice if you are a first-time parent. Some of the things to do with a newborn are listed below.
1. Trust Your Instincts
The adage “there is no instruction manual for raising a child” has been around for a long time and has had various iterations. Of course, reading every book ever written just like the rough night parents guide on parenting and new mommy journal would give you a comprehensive grasp of the subject. However, you should only become a parent after gathering as much information as possible. Having a kid in your arms will activate your natural maternal instincts, even if you don’t know it yet.
Feeling completely bewildered is a normal reaction at first. It is normal to feel that way; your parenting abilities will grow with time and self-assurance. It is perfectly OK to seek help from a healthcare provider, a relative, or another parent if you are unsure how to prepare for your child. Your parenting style will emerge as time goes by. To start believing your instincts, I gifted this book to my wife, “You Got This, Mama!” and I think it helped her a lot.
2. Get As Much Sleep As You Can
Exhaustion is the one thing that can burst the happy, rough night parents guide bubble. The caliber of your slumber influences your disposition, self-assurance, and capacity to endure. Working as a pediatrician for thirty years has given me firsthand experience with the despair that may arise when a parent cannot get enough rest. Feeling ill, lonely, inept, and frustrated are some of the signs of sleep deprivation.
Make sure you memorize the easy procedures for soothing infants; they are the most important things to do with a newborn. You may also get some rest; they are a tried-and-true way to put your child to sleep. My SNOO smart sleeper, which won many awards, helps babies sleep better by using three of the five S’s: secure swaddling, continuous swinging throughout the night, and responsive shushing or white noise that continues throughout the night. The final result is that you will get an extra hour or two of sleep every night.
3. Make Sure To Use Pacifiers
This is a very important point for every new mommy. Pacifiers may gradually be introduced to a breastfed infant once a regular nursing pattern has been established. Babies find solace in sucking since they are unable to do it independently. Another way pacifiers help reduce sudden infant death syndrome is that babies can’t suffocate on them. After a healthy meal, feel free to give that pacifier again, and don’t stop feeding it every two or three hours. Use the best of the best; here are some top recommended pacifiers:
Tommee Tippee Ultra-Light Silicone Pacifier
MAM Original Matte Baby Pacifier
Philips AVENT Soothie Snuggle Pacifier Holder with Detachable Pacifier
4. Accept All the Help You Can Get
Caring for a newborn as a new mommy has never been demanded of parents. Many members of the extended newborn family lived nearby or were permanently able to help support children in the past. Unfortunately, that “village” is gone, and new parents are navigating the transition process at home alone. When both parents have jobs, it becomes much more apparent.
So, what would I tell expectant parents? Get assistance when you’re stuck, and try reading rough night parents guides. Feel free to pay for the help you need if you can afford it; you deserve it. Several approaches could lighten the burden of parenthood. You may ask around, use SNOO, hire a postpartum doula, hire a babysitter, have food kits delivered, or rely on friends and newborn family for that additional helping hand.
5. Exercise Patience
After you bring a baby into the world, tending to their every need and things to do with a newborn (feeding, changing diapers, cleaning, comforting them) may seem like your whole world. Plus, you shouldn’t be surprised if you don’t get much sleep. You just need to be patient since this won’t last forever, no matter how bleak things seem. Even in the next several months, your life will appear different due to the changes brought about by your growing child.
When your kid turns one, you won’t be able to keep up with them; they’ll be racing around the house at full speed. As a bonus, the two of you will see it as a thrilling new adventure. How about you ask your parents and friends for advice on handling a toddler? Things changed so suddenly. You will only realize it once you’re trained to adapt. Whether you want to return to old habits or establish brand new ones, life will never be the same beyond the first weeks of adjustment. To practice patience and manifest it, read this book, “Patience.”
6. Avoid Comparisons
No matter how difficult it gets, you should never compare your infant to others, as this is one of the most important things you can do with a newborn. Does it already go to sleep without waking up at one-month-old? That is something other than knowledge that would be useful to have.
All the good and bad things about being a human are a part of your new little one’s distinct personality. Babies are different; some sleep more soundly in a rocking rocker or cuddled up to an adult, while others are more comfortable in a car seat. If you don’t compare your kid to others, you won’t establish unreasonable expectations for them.
7. Take Your Baby Outside
Taking a stroll outside with your baby is a fantastic and risk-free idea; you should consider it now. Cover the stroller with a lightweight blanket or sheet to keep your little one cool; ensure enough ventilation around the sides. Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion, such as profuse perspiration or a broad feeling of being hot, and take appropriate measures, like removing clothing as needed.
8. Cut Baby’s Nails
Baby fingernails develop rapidly and sharply, and as a new mommy, you need to cut them so they don’t hurt the baby. Trimming your baby’s nails using little clippers is very safe, even if it may seem odd. Nails that are adhered to fingers are typical in infants. You should wait to trim your baby’s nails until you see that the tips are coming undone. Do your nail cutting in a well-lit room for the best results.
This is one of the most important things to do with a newborn, as it may be most convenient when the infant is asleep. When their kid gets a little cut or scratch and starts bleeding, most parents don’t worry. Cause for concern? No way! Your child will likely be OK with it, especially when weighed against the impact on you. Pressure applied for just a short period will halt the bleeding. Babies might choke if their fingers are wrapped in bandages. If you have difficulty cutting nails, buy this “Frida Baby Electric Nail Trimmer.”
9. Bathe Your Baby
Ensure your home’s water temperature does not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit before you wash your infant. Water at a temperature of more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit may cause severe burns quickly.
Water shouldn’t be hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the healthiest possible infant. Bathing a baby too often in the first year might cause skin dryness. Babies only need warm baths every three to four days under adult supervision once the umbilical cord and circumcision have healed, if applicable.
Make sure that you have all the essentials for your baby’s first bath and then the regular ones. A few things that every parent should have in hand include baby bath essentials like a bath rinser, bath kneeler, bath spatout cover, and bathtub elbow rest. The Skip Hop Moby Baby Bath Essential Set has all these things and is convenient for new parents!
Next, you should also be sure to have grooming essentials like a nasal aspirator, thermometer, combs, etc. It is a smart choice to pick a kit set instead of buying everything individually. This Baby Healthcare and Grooming Kit is a top choice among parents!
Place the Crib Near Your Bed
As a newborn family, placing the bassinet or cot next to your bed can help you sleep better after tending to your infant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, sharing a bed with a newborn is a charming but risky behavior because there is a higher chance of suffocation. If you are still looking for great-quality crib suggestions, buy this “Aden 4-in-1 Convertible Mini Crib In White.”
Look After Yourself and Your Baby
Your health should take priority during the first few months of your baby’s existence. You must prioritize self-care during this time since your body is already dealing with a lot of stress from things like recovering after giving birth and not getting enough sleep.
Previous pregnant ladies will advise you to eat healthily (and save money by preparing meals in advance), get plenty of sleep, and spend lots of time outside. It is within your reach to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Giving them a supplement rich in probiotics, for example, may aid in developing their digestive system.
Know That This, Too, Shall Pass
Even though being a first-time parent in a newborn family is a huge adjustment, most Mumsnetters will assure you it improves. Most of the time, the folks who say, “It’s just a phase!” are correct.
Remember how I promised you a better day? The rough night parents guide is another area where this phase will soon end. Additionally, there are instances when a baby’s crying will not subside. Even while a cluster feeding session or tantrum by a toddler can seem like it will go on forever, that’s usually not the case.
