Having a newborn can be so incredible and amazing. And yet, it also can be challenging and exhausting.
When I became a new mom I felt like I knew the basics:
– Sleep when baby sleeps
-You will be tired and that’s ok
– Swaddle your baby
-Change the Diaper every 2-4 hours
And the list goes on.
Well, there was still A LOTTT I did not know about having a newborn, so hopefully this can be helpful to you!
THINGS I WISH I NEW BEFORE HAVING A NEWBORN BABY
- Everyone parents differently, because EVERYONE has different children. Don’t listen to everyone’s “advice,” take them into account and do what is best for YOU and YOUR baby.
- Give your babies vitamin D drops everyday.
- When your baby sleeps, you can get a few things done if it’s stressing you out. HOWEVER, if you can catch up on rest and sleep while the baby is sleeping–DO IT!
- You shouldn’t work out for 6-8 weeks after having a baby. But if you can go on short walks, just enough to move around and get outside it helps. Moving your body is so key to a healthy mental state.
- Pay to get newborn pictures taken. Babies change so fast and getting nice pictures of them is priceless.
- Having a baby is time consuming. It’s such a beautiful stage of life, but it can be enduring. Make sure you take time for some self-care. Have a hobby that you are working on, go to the store alone, or dinner with friends. Being a new mom is wonderful, and yet, completely changing ALL the norms is hard. It’s important to take care of YOU so that you can be a happier mom for that sweet baby.
- If breastfeeding is hard, enduring and not working well, don’t do it, and don’t feel guilty about it. Period.
- Take care of your baby’s bum to prevent diaper rash. Be faithful about putting ointment on their bum so that they are not sore and miserable.
- If your baby is crying most the day, take the baby to the doctor. If things are not changing and the baby is still crying, let the doctor know it is getting overwhelming. Try second opinions such as chiropractors, chiropractors know some great things for colicky babies
- Invest in an owlet if at all possible. It’s a foot monitor that can give you peace of mind that your baby is breathing and sleeping well.
- Keep some type of journal or log of your baby’s growth and development. It is so much fun to look back on baby milestone, and it reminds you what a blessing it is to have your sweet little baby!
Enjoy the moments with your little one, it’s a heavenly experience in so many ways.
And as always, if you have more items you would add to my list, let me know in the comments below.
Until next time!
xoxo,
Christy Lee