Being a new mom is a whole new territory. You are probably a mix of excited and terrified, or maybe one of the emotions is overwhelming the other. Either way it is a huge life shift and a great time to reach out and get some awesome new mom tips from friends, family, and even this post.
Why You Need Some New Mom Tips in Your Life
You’ve finally done it. You’re a parent now. Congratulations! Parenting is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have in your life, but it’s also ridiculously challenging.
Being a mom is amazing.
It is miraculous, wonderful, and rewarding. It is also terrifying, exhausting, and frustrating.
Any time you are undertaking something brand new in life it is best to absorb any tips and tricks that you can from people who have already been there.
If you have a lot of younger siblings or spent all of your teen years babysitting, becoming a mom might not be full of too many surprises and questions. But for most of us being a new mom is a major change from anything we’ve ever experienced.
That’s why having a handful (or more!) of tips for new moms is so helpful.
Top New Mom Tips
While this is not by any means all the tips you will need as a new mom, this is a great starting place for tips to remember and get you off on the right foot.
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New Mom Tips #1: Get plenty of rest – you’ll need it!
It is SO EASY to choose to stay up late after your baby is finally down for the night, or to rush around tidying up the house when he has a nap – but seriously, force yourself tp REST.
A good night’s sleep is important for many reasons. It helps to restore the body’s energy levels, repair damaged cells, and supports the immune system. While most people need around eight hours of sleep per night, everyone is different.
Some people feel well-rested after just six hours, while others may need nine or more. The best way to find out how much sleep you need is to experiment and see how you feel after different amounts of rest.
This is so much easier said than done as a new mom. Unless you have a night nurse, you will be exhausted at first. Split up night duties as much as possible with your partner (this is really tough if you are breastfeeding.) You might even be lucky enough to have your mom or mom-in-law come stay overnight to help out.
If they offer, let them!
If you’re consistently tired during the day, it’s a good idea to try getting more sleep. In addition to feeling better mentally and physically, you may also find that you’re more productive and have a better mood.
Getting more sleep might look different from how it did pre-baby. But some ways to squeeze in some extra Z’z are:
- Take naps (Whether that means having your husband take the baby for a walk, having your mom come over, or napping when the baby naps, just give it a try!)
- Turn in earlier. (Yes there are probably clothes in the dryer and dishes in the washer, you’re allowed to sleep anyways I promise!)
- Try methods to fall asleep faster like meditation, positive sleep affirmations, guided meditation, or taking some melatonin.
New Mom Tips #2 Stock up on diapers and wipes, you’ll go through them fast
There are a lot of things to think about when you’re caring for a new baby, and one of them is diapers. Diapers are expensive and the need for them never ends. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to save money on diapers and wipes.
First, try to buy in bulk. Most stores offer discounts when you buy multiple or large packages of diapers, so it’s worth it to stock up.
Second, look for coupons. Many manufacturers offer coupons on their websites, so it’s worth taking a few minutes to look for them.
Finally, consider reusable diapers and reusable wipes. They save you thousands and save the environment from thousands more diapers being stuck into the earth too. Reusable diapers are really cute and very affordable. By investing about $150 a single time you can diaper one or multiple children until they are potty trained.
New Mom Tips #3: Accept help from friends and family – they want to help, let them!
One of the hardest things to do in life for most of us is to ask for help. So while this may be the toughest now mom tip to take, it might also be the most important.
We all want to be independent and self-sufficient and admitting that we need assistance can be difficult.
However, it’s important to remember that our friends and family want to help us, and they are often just waiting for us to ask. In fact, letting them help you can actually help them to feel better and more fulfilled, so you are actually doing them a service by accepting help.
Whether we need help with a project around the house, support during a tough time, a shoulder to cry on, or an hour of sleep like tip #2 suggested, our loved ones are there for us. So next time you find yourself struggling, reach out to your friends and family. You may be surprised at how willing they are to help you out.
New Mom Tip #4: Learn to Increase Your Breastmilk Supply
Let me preface with: fed is best. If you have chosen not to breastfeed or are not able to that is completely ok and your baby will be just fine and grow beautifully. But if you ARE breastfeeding, learning how to increase your breastmilk supply can make the entire job a lot easier.
Breastfeeding is more comfortable when you have a higher supply. Pumping is much easier when you make more milk. And if you are wondering if your baby is getting enough, it helps to relieve that worry as well.
New Mom Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from other moms
Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs on earth. Not only are you responsible for caring for your children, but you also have to juggle work, home, and family obligations. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and alone.
You are a NEW mom. It is ok that you don’t have it all figured out. It’s actually great to seek out tips and advice from other more seasoned moms. I’ve been at motherhood for years and I’ll be the first to admit I am still figuring it out over here every single day.
There is no shame in seeking advice from other moms. In fact, it can be one of the best ways to find support and understanding. Talking to other moms can help you to feel less isolated, and it can also give you some great ideas for dealing with difficult situations.
So don’t be afraid to reach out to other moms for advice from friends, family, or even people from a mom’s group you joined whether in your town or virtually.
New Mom Tip #6: Realize Everything is a Phase
No matter how exhausting and frustrating whatever it is this week that your little one is going through you need to learn that with babies everything is a phase. Always remind yourself, “this too, shall pass”.
Though they feel like they are dragging on forever a lot of baby phases last around two weeks. While other things like teething may take months there is a better chance that whatever is ailing you about your little one will pass before you know it.
New Mom Tip #7: Take care of yourself, even if that means taking a break from the baby every once in a while
As any parent knows, taking care of a baby can be a full-time job. Even with help from a partner or family members, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of feeding, changing, and comforting a child. It is important to remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your child.
This means making time for things like showering, eating regular meals, and getting enough sleep. It may also mean taking a break from childcare duties every once in a while. This can help you to avoid burnout and maintain your energy levels. It’s not selfish to take a break or focus on a bit of self-care as a new mom. In the long run, a healthy and well-rested mom is better equipped to take care of her child.
Wrapping Up The Best New Mom Tips
The first few months with a newborn can be challenging, but they’re also an amazing time. Remember to take lots of pictures because though the days feel long they do pass by fast.
By using these new mom tips you are well on your way to a happy and healthy motherhood journey. Just remember to take care of yourself and ask for help when you need it. Congratulations on your new arrival!