Every year, more than a million women become moms for the first time. While you're in your house with a baby in your arms, it can be hard to remember that so many other women are learning the ropes for the first time too. Every mom has to start somewhere, and it's up to the parenting community to share its best tips and tricks to help women like you navigate the first year.
Even so, there are always a few tips that don't come up in casual conversation, and they are often the ones that help the most. We've compiled a list of 11 first-time mom tips they'll never tell you. We hope you'll embrace these nuggets of wisdom and pass them on to the next frazzled new mom you come across.
See also: Top 9 Tips on Preparing for Fatherhood
Read on to learn eleven tips that can restore sanity, simplify your routines, and help you understand what to expect during those early days with your little one.
1. Embrace Flexibility
Are you the type of new parent who loves to plan? Just because you've sat down and created a schedule for every part of your baby's day doesn't mean your baby will be on board. Babies are bosses, and they might not follow that perfect feeding and nap schedule you spent so much time drafting and color coding.
Remember that babies are individuals, and each will have different needs, quirks, preferences, and routines. You can make a plan and talk to your partner about delegating responsibilities, such as night feedings or diaper changes. Make sure you're ready to make changes if your sweet baby has other ideas.
2. Babies Are Sharp
Your baby may be bright, but we mean physically sharp! A baby's tiny fingernails grow rapidly, sometimes overnight. After all, those newborn fingers are itty bitty, and babies grow and change by the second during the early days.
All that to say, your little one doesn't have control over their hands yet and can accidentally scratch you or themselves. Keep the baby nail clippers in a handy location, and use those baby mittens. Your little one might need a daily manicure for a while.
3. A Normal Diaper Doesn't Look Normal
You might think you know what a baby's diaper should look like, but "normal" means something different during the first few days of life. Newborn stool contains meconium, a strange cocktail of the things your little one swallowed while in the womb. It makes the stuff in their diaper look pitch black, which can be alarming if you aren't expecting it.
Be assured that nothing is wrong. Your baby is adjusting to life outside the cozy world of your tummy, and that takes time. The contents of their diaper will shift, too.
4. Nighttime Calls for a Bigger Diaper
Keep this tip in mind for when your baby is a little older and begins sleeping for several hours at a time. Buy a few diapers the next size up for use during the night. It can help prevent leaking and messes and save you from having to do a bleary-eyed late-night blowout diaper change.
Your baby will eventually grow into the next size, so they won't go to waste. When your little one gets big enough, you'll be able to buy overnight diapers in their size, which have the extra room built-in.
5. Video Baby Monitors Are Game Changers
The Pixsee smart baby monitor will be the perfect companion for your baby's growth journey. It uses crystal clear FHD video and two-way audio to help you keep an eye on your little one, even in perfect darkness. As a first-time parent, you'll fall in love with safety features like covered face detection, built-in temperature and humidity alerts.
Plus, as a tired new mom, you might struggle to find the time to share updates and pictures of your sweet new baby. The award-winning Pixsee smart app helps you share images, video clips or milestone cards with loved ones. Your Pixsee automatically captures between 6 and 12 photos each day, so you'll never miss a milestone, a smile, or a sweet, silly face.
6. Don't Google It
Google is handy, but it's not your pediatrician! Many new moms feel like they're being "annoying" when they call their baby's doctor with medical concerns during the early days. We promise you aren't bothering anyone, and you'll get an answer that won't send you down an anxiety rabbit hole.
7. Warm Up Baby's Towel
Some babies hate to come out of the bath because the air is cold and uncomfortable. You can use a heating pad to warm up your baby's bath towel (and even the crib or changing table) so that it's nice and cozy when they come out of the water. Little ones love this, and it helps them sleep so much easier.
8. Use Unscented Detergent
You can save time and money by buying unscented laundry detergent instead of special baby detergent. You can do the whole family's laundry together without waste or extra expense. It's also more eco-friendly.
9. Save Fancy Frocks for Photos
Don't forget that social media isn't real life. It might look like your friends have their babies in cute, perfect outfits every day, but we promise those little ones spend most of their time in practical onesies. Save the fancy baby clothes and accessories for your photos and choose ease when necessary.
10. Go Outside
If your baby gets fussy or you're starting to feel claustrophobic, grab the stroller or carrier and hit the streets. The fresh air and sunlight will do wonders for you and the baby. Don't trick yourself into believing you're trapped in the house once the baby comes home.
11. Trust Yourself
This blog isn't the only place where you'll find tips as a new mom. Everyone will have advice for you, and it can be overwhelming to take it all in. Remember that you don't have to listen to everyone, and it's okay to trust your gut—you know your baby best.
The 11 First-Time Mom Tips They'll Never Tell You About
Parenting is a tricky but worthwhile job, and you'll love getting paid in giggles, snuggles, kisses, and cuddles. With these "11 first-time mom tips they'll never tell you," you'll make that job a little bit easier. Be sure to share these tips for new moms with other new parents in your life so you can all succeed together.
While you wait for your precious baby to arrive, why not add a few time-saving items to your Amazon wish list? Start with the Pixsee smart video baby monitor. Visit our Amazon online store and Pixsee Shop to discover why every first-time mom adores Pixsee.
