Becoming a mom is one of the most beautiful experiences in the world. It’s joyful, overwhelming, and heart-warming, however, it’s not easy. Especially in the beginning. All of a sudden, you have to figure out how to keep a little human alive, and although many things will come naturally, it’s beneficial to hear from those who have gone through it before. From accepting help to giving yourself grace, and getting outside as much as possible, here’s the best advice for new moms from new moms.
Best Advice For New Moms From New Moms
1. Don’t Be Afraid to Accept and Ask for Help
Being a new mom is one of the most magical and incredible things in the world, but it can also be scary, overwhelming, and downright difficult. Accept all the help you can get, whether loved ones offer to bring over food, do errands, or walk the dog. Your friends and family are offering because they truly want to help, so let them! And if you feel like you can’t handle things on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help either. As they say, it takes a village.
2. Take Care of Yourself
Giving birth and learning how to take care of a tiny human for the first time is a massive life transition. You need to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself so that you can be the best mom for your baby. Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat healthy meals, exercise and get as much sleep as possible. Taking time to focus on your own physical and mental health is so very important.
3. Don’t Compare Yourself (or Your Baby) to Others
Every baby is different and there are so many various parenting styles. Sleep training works for some, while others refuse to try it. Some moms choose to exclusively breastfeed while others use formula from the beginning. Some babies start crawling at 6 months, while others don’t start until 10 months. You’ll feel happier and more confident if you don’t compare yourself to others. The most important thing is that you’re doing what feels right for you and your baby.
4. Date Your Partner
If you have a partner, it’s important for the two of you to preserve a strong and healthy relationship. Having a baby can be a crazy time and a ton of work. Unfortunately, it’s easy for your relationship to suffer if you don’t make the effort to maintain it. Have someone you trust babysit once or twice a month, get dressed up, and go out for dinner. Dating your partner after baby is so important to sustaining a fulfilling relationship and fostering your connection.
5. Stay Off Social Media
From fancy product recommendations to non-stop advice, it’s best not to fall into new mom traps on social media. It can be so easy to mindlessly scroll Instagram during your nighttime feeds and impulse buy the latest “must have” baby trend. Not to mention, a lot of the time social media shows an idealized version of motherhood that’s not realistic. This can lead to comparison, low self-esteem, and feelings of inadequacy. Given that postpartum can already come with mental health challenges, it can be helpful to avoid social media as much as possible.
6. Give Yourself Grace
Postpartum is one of the most intense experiences a woman goes through. You’re recovering from childbirth, your hormones are all over the place, you’re sleep deprived and so in love with your baby. Many women experience “baby blues” after child birth, which includes mood swings, anxiety, and crying spells. Be kind to yourself and give yourself so much grace. Let go of being perfect, forgive yourself if you mess up, and know that you’re always doing better than you think.
7. Fed is Best
There’s a ton of stigma around moms who don’t breastfeed their babies, but the truth is, breastfeeding can be extremely hard for some people and take a significant toll on their mental health. If you feel like breastfeeding is impossible or if it’s negatively affecting you mentally, try not to feel guilty about formula feeding. Some moms decide to formula feed from the very beginning, while others do a combination of pumping, formula and breastfeeding. A fed baby is best. Try not let other people’s opinions get to you.
8. Figure Out the Best Way to Get Sleep
We all know that sleep deprivation is a part of new parenthood, but sleep is incredibly important for your physical and mental health, especially as you’re recovering from childbirth. If you have a trusted person willing to watch your baby, take a nap during the day. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps (the cleaning can wait). And figure out a nighttime schedule that allows you and your partner to get as much sleep as possible. Life will be chaotic the first few months, but sleep is crucial.
9. Get Outside
Spending time outdoors can be incredibly beneficial for new moms (and their babies!). It can boost mood, reduce stress, and walking is a great source of gentle exercise. This helps with postpartum recovery and improves your overall physical and mental health. Nature and fresh air can be really soothing, and can also improve the baby blues. It will make you feel happier, breaks up your day, and can even improve sleep. Make it a priority!
10. Remember, Everything is a Phase
Remember that nothing lasts forever. Everything is a phase and hard times won’t always be so hard. From sleep regressions to resisting the stroller, constant crying, and refusing to eat certain things, there will be times where you feel like the tough phases will never end. But they will. Try to be calm and go with the flow. It’s easier said than done, but the more you’re able to let go of expectations, the happier you’ll be.
Being a new mom is roller coaster of emotions. If you’re looking for some guidance, we hope this advice was helpful. You got this!
This post contains affiliate links.
Did you enjoy this roundup of the best advice for new moms? We’d love it if you shared this post on Pinterest!
Looking for more new mom tips? Make sure to follow our Life with New Baby Board on Pinterest!
