For a recent giveaway, we asked Northwest Arkansas moms if they’d share some advice they wished someone had given them before their first baby was born.
Below a list of the advice, wish is so, so good. (So good that Shannon printed it out, added a little ribbon and gave it to a mom-to-be at a recent baby shower):
Q: What advice do you wish someone had given you when you were about to have your first baby?
Renee: Heating the crib a little with a heating pad before you put baby in will often keep a warm sleeping baby from waking up, and keep a blow dryer by the changing table, if you dry their little bottoms when you change them it will help prevent diaper rash.
Stacye: Don’t let anyone make you feel like a bad mother (relatives especially) and remember, this is YOUR baby, not theirs.
Lisa: Always have a bottle of water in your diaper bag, you never know when you will need it!!!!
Jan: Sleep when the baby sleeps!
Holly: You and your partner should agree on the way you will parent. The fact that both of us wanted a parent-led environment, wanted to keep her on a routine and neither of us wanted to co-sleep meant we had a super easy time adjusting to having a baby. We were married 13 years before getting pregnant and it wasn’t a difficult adjustment for us.
Stacey: If possible, have your husband or someone else stay with you for longer than 2 days once you get home from the hospital.
Desiree: Every parent is different just because one does it in a certain way doesn’t mean you have to do it that way…. Also, you will learn the different cries as time goes by.
Velva: Best advice I ever got was to hang a shirt you had worn that day over the edge of the crib. Baby thinks you’re nearby and sleeps longer. Worked like a charm on our twins.
Cori: It’s okay for the baby to cry! Put them in a safe spot and take a breather.
Lindsay: I wish someone had told me how little of sleep I was going to get. I was mad that my relatives didn’t warn me!
Abby: Listen to your instincts. Even though this is your first child, you know best.
Jordan: Don’t mess with sleepers with snaps or buttons, stick with gowns or zip sleepers ONLY!
Jamie: Babies sense stress! If you’re stressed or nervous, your baby may easily get upset. Just relax, breathe, & think “everything is gonna be alright!” Also, you can read all the parenting books in the world but nothing prepares you more until once that baby is in your arms! Go with your gut & instinct!
Brandy: First-time moms tend to get quite a bit of help in the beginning from family, church, friends, etc with all kinds of things (food, cleaning…) and when that ends it can be overwhelming at times. It’s okay to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed!! I wish I had known, people are willing to help!
Sandra: I wish someone would have told me that the baby stage goes so fast…. to enjoy the middle of the night feedings when all is quiet and seems perfect. There will be time to catch up on sleep later… just enjoy all the sweet embracing.
Christie: A lot of people will give you advice, but always go with your gut feeling and what your pediatrician says!
Carolyn: Chill out.
Shannon: Buy lots of Mylicon. You will need it! Oh, and don’t let anyone tell you you’re going to “spoil” your baby by picking him up too much. It will help him grow up to be a secure person 🙂
What advice would you give a mom-to-be?
