7 Best Bits of New Mother Advice

We asked some mothers, “What was the bestthat I could get some sleep.
new mother advice you received when you hadDon’t Worry
your first baby?”  While one might assume thatThe best piece of advice that I received as a first
the majority of the advice would be practical babytime mother was to not worry! Babies all have so
care tips, the advice that made the greatestmany ranges as to what is "normal" in their
impression on most of these mothers had nothing todevelopment. You must definitely educate yourself
do with the baby. The best advice was directedon the stages and make sure your baby is following
toward the mother and how she treated herself.the guidelines of developmental stages. However,
Here’s a break down of the advice by category,don't assume just because another child walks at 12
and then the personal testimony from one of themonths that yours should be doing the same.
mothers:Let Your Baby Teach You
Sleep/RestI think the best advice I heard was “let your
“When I became a first time Mother, the bestbaby set its own schedule.” There are so many
piece of new mother advice that I received was tobooks out there that tell you how to schedule
sleep when the baby slept. That way, I wouldyour baby, but if you give your baby a couple
be able to get as much rest as possible, consideringweeks it will schedule itself. Keeping the baby on the
newborns generally don't sleep through the night forschedule they set is important. Since they know
the first few weeks, or even months. The advicewhat to expect, it sets a routine that makes them
given to me really helped- even though I was tired, Ifeel secure.
would catch naps here and there when my daughterChoose the Advice that Suits You
slept. It would give me just enough energy to make“The doctor told me not to listen to everyone
it through a night full of feedings and also helpedelse! Best piece of advice I got. He said that it was
keep the baby blues away!”OK for my baby to sleep with me until 4 months.
RelaxBut at that point he should be in another room so as
“It would be from my Lamaze teacher who saidnot to make it a habit. The other thing he said was
‘just relax and trust yourself and your instinctsthat “you can't spoil a baby!’”
after all who has been closer and more intimate withEXTRA: Specific Tips
your baby than you’.”Gowns are Invaluable: When my children were
Take Care of Yourselfnewborns, my mother in law suggested that I use
When I became a mother for the first time, the bestgowns because by using them, it was easier
piece of new mother advice I was given came fromto change their diapers and change their clothing (if
a friend’s mother. She reminded me that while Ithey should spit up). She was right, especially when
would be anxious to provide the best care for myyou first come home from the hospital and you're
baby, I should be just as anxious to provide theextremely tired and have to take care of a newborn
best care for myself. She said that I would only bewith very little help. Now I buy gowns for the baby
the best mother possible if I was also taking carewhen someone I know is having them.
of me; which in some cases might be setting limitsRock-a-bye Baby: The best piece of advice I
on when, where and with whom to share my timereceived, was how to get a new baby to go to
and attention.sleep. It works like a charm. When you put your
Accept Helpbaby to bed, put a light cloth over his eyes (not the
I received a lot of advice, but the best piece ofnose) and the cloth will work to eliminate visual
advice I got was to accept any help that wasstimulation. Most of the time, this is what prevents
offered. Since I am a very private person, I didn'tnew babies from falling asleep. Once you baby falls
accept all the help I was offered, but I did let myasleep, remove the cloth. Works every time.
mother watch the baby for a little every day so