The following post is in partnership with Mirum Agency.
Life as a new mother is exciting, but let’s be honest, it’s also scary, stressful and intimidating. Here we are caring for an itty bitty person we love more than ourselves, and we don’t know what to do, it’s frightening! But, being a new mom doesn’t mean you can’t handle it like a pro. Here are a few tips from moms who’ve had newborns and understand what you are going through.
Shhhh, the baby is sleeping
The whole ‘be quiet’ while the baby is sleeping is overkill. Seriously, think about it. A womb is a loud place. Of course, you don’t want to stand next to your baby screaming at your other kids, but newborns are used to noise. You don’t have to tiptoe around to avoid waking the baby up. When I brought my kids home we did everything from watching TV to vacuuming. If you have other children in the house, keeping everyone quiet because the baby is sleeping is not going to happen. My youngest slept better when everyone went on about their business. It was when things got quiet she woke up, probably because she wanted to know what was going on.
Relax you will make mistakes, learn to forgive yourself
Nobody knows what the heck they are doing in the beginning and even experienced moms make mistakes. Being a new mom can drive you nuts, things will get easier, you will learn and create routines.
I think this is one of the best tips I ever received. We are human, we will make mistakes and it’s important to forgive yourself for these mistakes. I was hard on myself for a little while but then I realized how much time I was wasting on things I couldn’t change. If you make a mistake, don’t be too hard on yourself, learn from it and move on.
Taking care of yourself and needing time to yourself does not make you selfish
Having a child changes everything and I mean everything. It will take up most of your time and you may find yourself emotionally drained. It’s important to take a little time for you. Do your toenails, make a hair appointment, or take a long bath. It doesn’t make you a bad mother to need a little time to yourself now and then; it gives you a chance to breathe, relax, and regroup. You will be a much better mom if you take a little time to take care of yourself.
Plus, who knows, your baby might want a little time to bond with other loved ones too.
You are not a bad mom because you need help
Don’t be scared to accept or ask for help. You are not less of a parent for accepting help with your baby. If someone offers to help, accept the help. It’s likely they are offering to help because they care and understand how difficult the first few months can be. And, do not be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Listen to your gut
With all the information about becoming a new mom and how to raise your child things can get stressful. Take all the information with a grain of salt, you don’t have to do things like everyone else. At the end of the day, you know your baby best. Trust yourself and your own instincts, you’ll be okay.
Don’t listen to all the formula feeding myths
Breastfeeding was my first option, but it didn’t work out the way I had hoped. I didn’t produce enough milk and trying to do what was best for my baby ended up not being what was best for either of us.
At first, I felt guilty and like I was being a bad mother. I tried both breast and formula feeding my baby, while talking with lactation consultants and trying all their tips, like pumping. In the end, I had to toss the pump and stopped feeling guilty.
By formula feeding, I was feeding and nurturing my child. It’s silly to think feeding and nurturing my baby could make me a bad mother. Regardless of why you choose to formula feed never feel guilty for feeding and loving your baby.
Today’s formula is closer to breast milk that it’s ever been. For example, love & care Infant Formula is inspired by mother’s milk and contains complete nutrition tailored for infants, dual prebiotica, DHA vitamins and minerals, and ingredients that are NOT genetically engineered. Plus, it is gluten-free and Certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union.
Infant formula is a nutritious alternative to breast milk and remember, the important thing is to make sure your baby is fed, cared for and given lots of love. Plus, formula feeding means you can share the bonding experience with your partner or other loved ones while you get some much-needed rest or time to yourself. So don’t feel bad, ditch the mommy guilt!
Saving money doesn’t mean you are trading quality
As parents, we want the best for our children and it’s easy to go with well-known brands because you think paying more means better quality. But this just isn’t true. Did you know love & care Infant Formula is comparable to the quality and nutrition of Enfamil Premium Infant Formula but costs less?
Paying less doesn’t mean you are not getting a nutritional formula tailored for infants. There’s no reason to pay more for a brand name formula, or pretty much anything.
Consider shopping online can save your money time and stress
Shopping online saves time, money and you can avoid the stress of running out of necessities for your baby.
One of my friends on Facebook suggested shopping online and taking advantage of subscription options on things such as infant formula, diapers and wipes. You can purchase love & care Infant Formula on Amazon.com and save money, get 2-day free shipping with Amazon Prime and use their subscription options so you never run out of the formula. Try it and leave a review on Amazon to help other new moms navigate this aspect of motherhood! This infant formula is going to be added to the Amazon Family program, details of that program here.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card from ModernMom to help with your online shopping!
Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to be a “grown-up”
Don’t think being a mom means being a boring grown up. It’s okay to have fun, be silly, and stay who you were before becoming a mom. Sure life changes, you have a baby now but playtime is important for you and your baby. You’ll both be happier, your journey through parenthood will be a lot more fun and you are more likely to value the little things that matter if you are happy.
If you are venturing into motherhood for the first time, take a deep breath and stop stressing. You will be okay, focus on what matters and be confident you will find your groove. And welcome to the tribe!
Tell us in the comment section below:
What was a great piece of advice that you got from another mom?
