Are you having a baby soon? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of being a parent?First, take a deep breath. Everything will be okay.
The best thing to do is to prepare yourself with all kinds of tips and tricks that’ll help you along the way. Take in the advice from parents who have all done this before you.
Listed down below are some of the best new parenting secrets that’ll aid you every step of the way:
Sometimes Babies Need to Cry
It’s alarming to hear the sound of your precious baby crying. Our instincts are to think that something must be wrong, but sometimes babies cry because they can. It’s a way to communicate even when they’re content.
The times to start worrying are when the crying goes on for over an hour and your baby also is vomiting or has a fever.
You’ll know the difference if something is truly wrong.
Place Boxes of Tissues Everywhere
Tissues and paper towels are invaluable tools in any parent’s toolbox. They help clean up all manner of different messes at any time. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as not being able to wipe away something when you don’t want to step away from the baby.
It’s a good idea to place a box of tissue in every room, that way you have them available no matter the circumstance.
Sleep When the Baby Sleeps
Feeling energetic and rested are vital attributes for new parents. You’ll have a lot going on and you need as much sleep as possible. Without a proper night’s rest, you’ll start feeling sluggish and angry, and no one wants that when dealing with a newborn.
That’s why it’s a good idea to get some sleep whenever the baby sleeps. Even a short nap is often enough to make a huge difference in the way you tackle the next problem.
Learn Serving Sizes
Despite knowing that babies are small, sometimes it’s difficult to know how much to feed them. A regular portion for a baby eating solid foods is nothing like what we’re used to dealing with as adults. We want to make sure the baby is getting enough to eat, so it’s easy to overfeed them.
Research the recommended serving sizes for a baby’s particular age, and make a chart outlining each step. Place this chart in the same place as you make the meals for your child. This way you’ll always have a good reference chart to use whenever you start veering off the right portion size.
Use Loud Clocks
The sound of a ticking close is something most of us can’t stand. However babies love the sound, as it reminds them of the steady heartbeat of their mother. It’s a comfort to them and makes sleeping easier.
Placing a loud ticking clock inside of the baby’s bedroom might be a great way to help soothe the little one to sleep. It’s a small trick that doesn’t carry over as the baby gets older, but for the first few months, it’s a huge help.
Find a Way to Vent
Being a new parent is a tough job that is both very rewarding and also very stressful. To keep on track, you need to find ways to vent out all of that stress so that it doesn’t drag you down. It’s easy to lose your temper with your family when everything feels like it’s riding on your shoulders.
Finding spare time isn’t always easy, but it’s important to make that time for yourself. Even if you’re only able to get fifteen minutes of alone time, make good use of it.
That small break could make a huge difference in your mental state and allow you to keep a cool head.
Expect to Keep Odd Hours
For the first several months, your baby is not going to maintain a steady schedule and neither are you. You’ll be up at all hours in the night and it’ll feel like you’ll never get to sleep again.
It’s not easy to rewire your sleeping schedule but that’s why it’s a good idea to enlist the help of friends and family. When you need to catch up on sleep, it’s a good time for your baby to visit their grandparents. Take things in shifts with your spouse, or ask friends to come over for a couple of hours.
Always Be Prepared
Reading lists like this one, as well as books and other articles, are excellent first steps in preparing yourself for parenthood.
Don’t forget to ask questions from friends and family. Hearing what other parents went through with their first child is often a relief for new parents. Try to keep all of this information in mind as you run into problems.
It’s also important to make sure to prepare yourself for anything and everything that’s to come. Add in emergency contacts into your phone so that you don’t have to go looking for them in the heat of the moment. Stock up on different supplies so that you never run out of necessities, like diapers.
These extra steps make your life a whole lot easier in the long run.
Not Knowing What to Do is Okay
All of the preparation and reading in the world isn’t going to inform you of every single situation. Every baby is different, and every situation is different. You can’t expect to know everything, and that’s okay.
Making mistakes doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent. Instead of fretting over it, ask for help. Your own parents could have great insights to help with your problem. Talking to your child’s doctor or your local fertility clinic are other good ways to alleviating certain questions.
There’s always someone out there who’s able to help you.
Don’t Get Bogged Down By New Parenting Secrets
Even with all of these new parenting secrets to guide you, there’s no ‘one size fits all’. They’re helpful, but sometimes you’ve got to throw all caution to the wind and trust your instincts.
As long as you try your best and you love your child, you’ll find the right way to tackle any problem that comes your way.
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