Hi Lovelies!
Do you know that becoming a mom for the first time can be both scary and exciting?
There are a lot of unknowns, and while we want to do our best for our kids, it’s just not easy to know exactly what to do, even if we prepare as much as possible. If you’re anything like I was, you’re eager for information, especially from parents who have been there before you.
Undoubtedly, most first time moms read pregnancy books, or browse pregnancy forums, or google every little movement or non-movement in anticipation of their first bundle of joy. It doesn’t always occur to preggo ladies to read what to do with the baby after delivery. For first time moms, or even second and third time moms, here are some lists of tips and truths that’ll help you along this journey we call motherhood;
· You will become an expert with the car seat/stroller/sling. Keep practicing now. You’ll need it for when you will actually have to wrestle your child into it.
· Your baby sure is cute but let’s face it; she’s kinda wrinkly-looking. Not exactly the gerber baby quite yet. You take pictures, but they all look the same, because baby doesn’t really do much right now. Take them anyway. And be sure to include yourself in the photo too!
· Speaking of pictures, you are now the most popular person on your social media sites. Everyone is eagerly anticipating photos, so if you have the time, post all you want.
· And you might as well have your phone nearby because you’ll have the urge to google every little thing about your baby or your body to make sure it’s normal. Whatever you do, don’t ask social media! Use the phone to call the nurse line if you’re concerned.
· Baby’s umbilical cord looks weird. You’re hoping it falls out soon, because you’re afraid that you’ll pull on it and hurt her.
· At first, you want to jump at every little wince, grunt, or whimper the baby makes. Resist the urge. Wait 30 seconds to see if she settles and then check on her This is to save your sanity.
· Bath time is a toss-up. Some have babies that enjoy bath time from the get-go (aren’t you lucky?). Those that don’t, have babies that scream bloody murder. Hurry up and get it over with.
· Her poop is reason enough to fascinate or disturb you. You will find yourself pondering the color, frequency, amount, smell, and his faces when making these poopies.
· Your shirt will become a napkin, burp cloth, drool catcher, and if you breastfeed, dark clothing and patterns are your friends.
· Diaper blowouts… disgusting, stock up on diaper wipes, changing table covers, and laundry detergent.
· Somewhere down the line you will accidentally scratch, bump, or gently and accidentally hurt your kid. Prepare yourself for the intense guilt to follow.
· Someone plans a meeting/party/gettogether that you really don’t feel like going to… enter new-parent-excuse… “I would but…”
· Around 3 or 4 weeks, or earlier if your baby develops colic, baby is going to get really fussy. That little angel will become a ornery little demon. And you will call him names that are not very nice. It’s ok for now, he doesn’t understand… yet
· Nothing is more frustrating than setting the same child down to sleep and watching her wake up immediately
· Nothing is more rewarding when you do get her down, and she stays down
· The first time that baby smiles at you will be an unforgettable feeling. Your heart will melt. And you’ll want to give him the world if you could.
· Keep changing her clothes with all of the new clothes she received as gifts. A) She grows out of them so fast, that you’ll want to play dress-up so he wears everything at least once B) You’ll get more practice changing her (long sleeves are the worst!)
· You’ll secretly compare the beauty of your child to other people’s babies… and yours will always win.
· Come prepared with a list of questions for the doctor. And ask all of them no matter how stupid they may sound.
· Leaving the house takes for-ev-er.
· White noise rules! Don’t bother with expensive machines or blowing out your vacuum. Remember how I told you to have your phone nearby? Use youtube or download “white noise” sounds to calm baby down.
· Going anywhere with the baby alone the first time is scary. You’ll spend time picking out his outfit (will he be too cold, too hot?), checking and rechecking buckles, overloading on diaper bag supplies, and probably drive like a grandma.
· Stock up on food. Non-perishables, freezer meals, and the crock pot are your new best friends.
· Resist the urge to buy lots of 0-3 month clothes. It’s ok if baby is in jammies. It’s ok if you’re still in jammies at this point too.
· The sleepers with a zipper and the nightgowns with the elastic at the bottom are the best. Button and snaps get annoying.
· Keep baby’s laundry separate from everybody else’s, or you will, I repeat, will lose socks and/or mittens.
· You will learn how to operate almost anything with one hand. Bonus points if you learn to operate with your feet. Lol!
· You’ll learn to grab the remote/phone/snack/water BEFORE you sit down to feed the baby.
· Eating/peeing/pooping/showering/getting dressed is on his time now.
· You’ll start to learn the difference between a real cry and a fake cry (as in just a whine).
· The first time your baby sleeps through the night will be amazing. Even more amazing if YOU had actually slept through the night but you kept checking on him to see if he was still breathing.
· When baby is more active and alert, be sure to develop a quick trigger finger for picture taking. At least 5 will come out blurry before you get a good one.
AND FINALLY,…
· Baby farts are louder than you think. LOL! And omg does it smell?
Well, I hope you found this post helpful. Gotta run now… Mum duty calls#winks. More to come in a bit.
XOXO!!!
Nikimandi
