10 Helpful tips for first-time mom

As amazing as it is, becoming a first-time mom can be very challenging. But don't be surprised if everything feels intense. It is proven by science that becoming a first-time mom is more intense for both physically and emotionally.  

We have a few tips that can help first-time mom feel confident in taking care of their newborn. 

Asking for help when you need it

Being a first-time mom can be very hectic and overwhelming, do not hesitate to ask for help during this time. While you're still in the hospital, feel free to talk to the experts around you, they will be able to help you on what to do to get started nursing your baby. The medical practitioners can also help you and show you how to hold, burp, change and care for your baby. For in-home help, approach your partner, relatives, friend. Enjoy warm meals, stay hydrated, and rest when possible, especially the first couple weeks. Dishes, cleaning, or other house chores can be delegated. 

Identify what really works for you. 

As a new mom, you'll be getting tons of advice, some of it will work for you and some will not. they are why you need to identify which works and which doesn't. Every newborn baby is different, same do moms. Just acknowledge it and embrace it, don't dwell if a piece of advice isn't working for you.

Do not obsess about germs

All mom wants the best for their kids, we don't want them to get sick, who does, right? But sanitizing every time you touch something, such as a doorknob, is a little too much. Just relax and just keep your baby away from sick people. It'll be very hard at first, but if you'll keep your baby inside your home all day will not help their immune system to build up, and will just make them getting sick even more. Just don't get obsessive, just be smart. 

Don't feel like you need to get everything done. 

It's okay if you didn't get everything done. There will be times that it feels like it's taking forever to finish something and will end up like your house is a whole lot of mess. Just always remember that it's Okay! On those days, just don't panic and just relax. It's no big deal. You are a mom. You are doing a hard job, and you are still rocking it. It's okay if you're not finishing everything on your to-do list, you're just a human, and you're still AMAZING!

Write things down

I have figured out that it is essential to write everything down on your notebook or smart devices, such as doctor's appointments, questions, dates. Something I have figured out that after giving birth, our memory gets worse, and tends to be forgetful. So it's important to write things down because it will help you later.

Enjoy the nap time.

You don't need to feel guilty if you love nap time. The best time to nap is while your baby is napping. Napping is one of the times that you can do things without holding your babies and without getting interrupted. Just enjoy it while it lasts.

Trust your instinct

As cliche as it sounds, but if you think something is not right, check on your baby. If you don’t feel good, or if you're not comfortable about something, don’t do it. You know your baby more than anyone else. If you think something doesn’t feel right, never ignore that feeling. Listen to it.

Pay attention to symptoms of Postpartum Depression

First-time moms can be very overwhelming, and you need to be aware of postpartum depression, it happens to a lot of moms, not just first-time moms. You need to be very aware of what's going on, if you feel like you don't enjoy things, you're not happy, you're stressed out and you don't like talking to people, step back, and realize what's really going on and what's happening. Ask for help before it gets worse. You don't need to be ashamed of it, there are a lot of moms out there who are suffering from postpartum depression that you know.

Social media disconnect.

Little did we know that social media is ruining our family time. We don’t want our children to grow up thinking that their mom and dad are always on their phones. So whenever you're with your baby, spend time and be with your baby, not just half of your attention is on your social media. Don't get me wrong, social media is a great platform to share your happy memories with your baby and your family with your relatives who live miles away from you, but don't get caught up in spending your time scrolling through someone else's status whom you haven't met for a while. Your baby needs you and your whole attention, and putting your phone away while you're with your baby is something that you will never regret.

Love yourself and your body.

Your belly is going to be big, baggy and squishy, and you will feel flabby all over. You have to always remember that you pushed an angel out and you brought a blessing to this world. Jello-like belly happens to every new mom. You have to always remember that your body is incredibly amazing and there was a baby inside it that you've carried for nine amazing and memorable months! Be nice and gentle to your body.