Transitioning into motherhood is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and endless learning opportunities. As a new mom, navigating this exciting chapter can be overwhelming at times. However, armed with practical advice and support, you can thrive in your role. Here are 25 invaluable tips to help you navigate the early days of motherhood with confidence and grace.
1. Prioritize self-care
Remember to take care of yourself physically and emotionally to be the best mom you can be. You cannot pour out of an empty cup. If this sounds daunting, my advice is to make a list of the 3 things you need to do to get yourself in the right headspace. My three things are working out, reading my bible, and having quality time with my husband. Give me these three things, and you’ll set me up to be a happy mama who can tackle anything!
2. Accept help
Don’t be afraid to ask for or accept help from friends and family members. Your loved ones love you, so if they’ve offered to help, then they actually want to. It takes a village!
3. Sleep when the baby sleeps
Rest is crucial for your well-being, so this popular new mom advice is try to nap when your baby is sleeping. If you’re like me and cannot nap during the day, then treat yourself to some other kind of relaxation activity, such as reading a book. Don’t save your to-do-list for nap time, because nap time is so unpredictable and will eventually stop.
4. Trust your instincts
You know your baby best, so trust your instincts when it comes to their care. Remember, YOU were chosen to be the mama of this special, unique little individual. You are the boss when it comes to healthcare, diet, routines, the lot! Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty if those decisions come from a place of love and intentionality.
5. Establish a routine
Creating a predictable schedule can help both you and your baby adjust to a new routine. Don’t stress out about times, just give yourself a generic morning activity, afternoon activity, and evening activity. We do not have a strict routine, but generally we do chores in the morning, reading and quiet time in the afternoon, and the bedtime routine in the evening. I find that compartmentalising my days like this keeps them consistent and predictable, but flexible at the same time. I get stressed out if my days are too regimented!
6. Stay organized
Keep essentials like nappies, wipes, and burp cloths within easy reach to streamline caregiving tasks. Of course, this really depends on how big your house is. I never had dinky little baskets of nappies and wipes in every room, simply because our house is so small. But having them in a place where you tend to spend the most of your time is really handy!
7. Join a support group
Connecting with other moms can provide valuable support, advice, and companionship. In my first year as a new mom, I attended a group with moms whose babies were born within a 3 month period. This was a lifeline for me, as our babies went through key developmental stages together so we could cry together and laugh together. Loneliness can be such a trigger of depression and anxiety, and knowing that others are going through a similar thing gives you better perspective.
8. Practice patience
Parenthood is a learning curve, so be patient with yourself and your baby as you navigate this new journey. Even though I watched a whole lot of YouTube videos on caring for a newborn, when my little one actually arrived, I discovered I knew nothing! If this is how you are feeling right now, mama, know that it is pretty normal to know nothing about something you have never gone through before! Those first few weeks with a newborn are ROUGH, but it’s not going to be like that forever. Give yourself grace, sleep in, and just focus on loving your baby. This is how you will be super-mom!
9. Take breaks
It’s okay to take short breaks when you need them. Even a few minutes of alone time can recharge you. When your husband comes home from work, have a nice long shower. At the weekends, go for a walk by yourself and listen to an inspiring podcast. This will prevent you from getting burnt out and unnecessarily bitter towards your loved ones.
10. Stay hydrated and eat well
Proper nutrition is essential for your energy levels and overall health, especially during this demanding time. Get a special drink bottle to get you in the mood for drinking water! Make sure you eat 3 meals a day! When I was a new mom, I found that I would get so busy, I didn’t eat till the afternoon. This is not a good idea, especially if you are wanting to keep up your milk supply. Plus, having low blood sugar is not good for your attitude and perspective.
11. Be flexible
Plans may change, and that’s okay. Stay flexible and adapt to the needs of your baby and yourself. Sometimes it’s great to have the excuse to not have to leave the house, sometimes it’s a bummer to be stuck at home with a fractious baby. Being kind to yourself and remembering to slow down will help you to cope when plans change and to remember that baby is number one.
12. Don’t compare yourself to others
Every baby is unique, and every mom’s journey is different. Avoid comparing yourself to others. This is really hard to do, especially if you belong to a moms group with babies all the same age. Something that helped me was to define for myself my personal “success parameters”. For example, getting dressed, making the bed, taking the baby for a walk. I kept them simple and small so that I felt like I was winning, even when things were hard. It’s so important to cultivate a “winning” mindset, because beating yourself up is not going to do you or your baby any good.
13. Invest in comfortable clothing
This new mom advice is invaluable. Comfortable, practical clothing will make breastfeeding and caring for your baby easier. Make it oversized and make the fabric nice to wear. It is so hard to accept to your post partum body, and clothes make all the difference! Tight clothes are just going to make you feel insecure and self conscious, which is not what you need right now! Loose clothes are much more flattering and will help you to feed your baby comfortably and discreetly.
14. Keep baby supplies stocked
Regularly check your baby supplies and stock up on essentials to avoid last-minute trips to the store. No one needs that kind of stress!
15. Take care of your mental health
If you’re struggling with feelings of sadness, anxiety, or overwhelm, talk! Talk to the other moms in your group (chances are they’re feeling the same), family members you can trust, and most importantly, your partner. Find a podcast that boosts your mindset and is empowering towards motherhood. It is SO hard to be a mom, and I listened to podcasts all day, every day in the beginning, to get those motherhood affirmations rooted in my mind.
16. Keep a Baby Essentials Basket in your Car
Put together a basket filled with baby essentials that you can store in the car. Include items like burp cloths, pacifiers, extra onesies, and nursing pads. Having these essentials in the car will save you if you need to get somewhere in a hurry or if you have a poonami on your travels!
17. Practice babywearing – or not
Using a baby carrier can make it easier to bond with your baby while keeping your hands free for other tasks. Now, don’t worry if your baby doesn’t like to be worn! My first didn’t, but my second definitely loved being close to me (which made it SO much easier!). Figure out what your baby likes, and don’t count it as a failure if they don’t like certain things. It’s just their unique little personality! My first was happy to lie on the floor on a rug with some toys while I pottered around.
18. Don’t be afraid to say no
It’s okay to decline visitors or invitations if you need time to rest and bond with your baby. Remember your number one priority is baby (and you), not your friend, so don’t feel guilty for staying home, resting, and letting your baby rest and settle. Having a chaotic schedule will only unsettle your baby further.
19. Communicate with your partner
This new mom advice is so important, yet something I never anticipated having to do. Keep the lines of communication open with your partner and share parenting responsibilities. My husband and I are communicating all the time on parenting methods our sons temperaments, how we can do things better, and encouraging each other on things we do well. It’s so important to be a team, because together, your parenting needs to be consistent.
20. Find ways to relax
Whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or listening to music, find activities that help you relax and unwind. I have also trained myself to relax AROUND baby. If you feel like you need to get away from baby to relax, it’s setting yourself up for scarce moments of replenishment! For me, I set aside time in the afternoon to relax with a hot drink and a book. My boys will play around me, or sometimes ask me to read for them. Afternoons have become a time of bonding and relaxation that I find truly peaceful.
21. Accept imperfection
Parenthood is messy, and mistakes will happen. My advice for new moms is: don’t be scared of imperfection, but just focus on doing your best.
22. Get out of the house
Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for your mood. Take short walks with your baby when possible.
23. Keep a journal
Recording your thoughts, feelings, and baby’s milestones in a journal can be a meaningful keepsake. You forget so much about the small moments! Looking back through a journal is so helpful to see how far you’ve come as a parent, and also to remember those special words spoken. When I was a new mom, I recorded every time I breastfed, which is HILARIOUS to look back on! First, I can’t believe I was so anxious as to record the particular side and length of feed, and second, I cannot believe how constant it was!
24. Prepare Freezer Meals
Before your baby arrives, consider preparing and freezing meals in advance. Having a stash of ready-to-eat meals will save you time and energy during those hectic early days of motherhood. Plus, it ensures you’re still getting nourishing food even when you’re too busy to cook. And don’t stop after your baby arrives! Always cook in bulk and freeze leftovers – that way you will always have a meal. This new mom advice will save you on those inevitable days when you just don’t get around to it!
25. Enjoy the journey
Despite the challenges, parenthood is a beautiful journey filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. The best new mom advice I can give is to choose to enjoy every moment with your little one. The hardship makes it all the more special, and parenthood is a journey you will never regret opening the door to!
