When you’re expecting, everyone seems eager to share their opinions: what to eat, how to exercise, the best sleeping positions, and even how to guess your baby’s gender. This avalanche of advice doesn’t stop after the baby arrives; people continue to offer their thoughts. However, I found that much of it wasn’t particularly useful. Here’s what I wish I had known:
- Breast is best, but formula is just fine. I had hoped to breastfeed, imagining myself as a natural, nurturing mom, but it just didn’t work out. The initial weeks with my daughter, Mia, were filled with challenges. I received plenty of tips on feeding techniques and milk production, but no one mentioned that using formula was perfectly acceptable. Mia thrived, and we still bonded beautifully.
- Savor your hospital stay. Don’t rush home from the hospital. You have attentive nurses, room service, and fresh linens—all without lifting a finger! Enjoy this time; things will be different when you return home.
- Keep it simple. Remember, it’s a baby, not an alien. You don’t need every fancy gadget out there. For months, I agonized over changing tables, only to find that I ended up using the kitchen counter for all three of my kids. It’s the perfect height, and everything you need is right there.
- Say yes to babysitting offers. Friends and family love newborns and will jump at the chance to hold your little one while you take a shower or grab some sleep. Take advantage of these offers now; they won’t last forever.
- Diaper direction matters. If you have a baby boy, point the penis down in the diaper to avoid leaks—seriously, why doesn’t anyone mention this?
- Limit infant clothing purchases. While it’s hard to resist adorable baby clothes, you’ll receive plenty as gifts. Stick to a few essentials and don’t remove the tags until you really need to. I washed and organized a whole wardrobe for Mia, only to find she barely wore any of it.
- Avoid complicated outfits. Those cute clothes with numerous snaps and buttons? They’ll only frustrate you at 3 a.m. Stick with simple, elasticized outfits for those first few weeks.
- Prepare an emergency diaper kit for the car. I remember arriving at Mia’s first pediatric appointment without diapers or wipes. It takes time to get used to carrying all that baby gear, and diaper blow-outs are inevitable!
- Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Once you become a mom, you enter a community of support. It’s perfectly fine to ask another parent for spare wipes or to lend a hand when needed.
- Embrace the experience. The early months may feel exhausting, but they’re also some of the easiest. If you have another child, you’ll likely marvel at how you once thought managing a newborn was tough!
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In summary, cherish the moments, accept help, and remember that it’s perfectly okay to not have everything figured out as a new mom.