Advice - New Mums - Pipin Pear

Helpful Recommendations For New Mums

No one really knows what they’re doing when it comes to parenting.

The amount of responsibility, love & affection and just plain attention that these tiny humans require can sometimes be hugely overwhelming. But the rewards massively outweigh the night feeds, the tantrums (yours and the babies!) and the tears, when you look at your gorgeous baby asleep (after what feels like 3 straight years of crying) or they look at you with the kind of love that can’t be replicated, you know you’ll be okay.

We put together a few recommendations that we wish had been said to us sooner as we journeyed into Motherhood, if you have anything to add, please let us know!

There’s nothing wrong with wearing your PJs all day every now and again. When you have a new baby, the last thing on your mind is sorting yourself out. But remember, in order to look after your baby, you’ve got to look after yourself too. Force yourself to get a quick wash and put on some clothes; something as simple as a nice blouse. You’ll feel 1000% better and more in control. It’ll do wonders for your own mental health and when you feel good, baby will feel good too!

Be prepared to do a whole load of baby washing in those first few weeks. For such tiny things, babies can make a BIG mess!

They do always say sleep when baby sleeps. That’s easier said than done, trust us, we know. When the washing is piling up or the dust bunnies start to bounce around, it can play on your mind to do housework whilst the baby is sleeping. If you don’t look after yourself, then you can’t take care of your baby. The dust bunnies can wait.

If you’re breastfeeding, make sure you factor in time to eat. In order to produce the amount of milk you need, you’re going to have to load up on food, great excuse to keep eating some yummy quiches and pies! If you’re still pregnant, load up your freezer with home cooked meals. They’ll be a lifesaver for you when your little one arrives.

Keep all the tags on any new baby clothes. Make sure they fit before you start removing the tags, you can always bring it back to the shop and get a bigger size!

Take time to bond with your baby. Don’t rush things. Whether bottle or breast feeding, give baby all the time they want for feeding, burping and coming back for seconds. This point in time will go by in the blink of an eye, enjoy every second.

Only invite round people that are willing to change a nappy. If you want to bask in my beautiful babys new born baby smell and bounce him on your knee then you can change their nappy as well. Fairs fair, right?!

If you’re lucky enough to still have your own mum and dad around, ask them any and every question! They did raise you after all, and they did a pretty good job at it!

Trust your instincts! You carried this little one for nine months, all by yourself. If you feel something isn’t right, tell someone, ask for help. If this is your first time, you won’t be perfect. Ignore the horror stories from some mums and the ‘perfect’ mums especially. Everyone struggles in those first few weeks, regardless of the amount of experience that they have.

Take as many pictures as humanely possible. Stock up on SD cards to carry more pictures. Make sure you take the time to have someone take a picture of YOU with the baby. When baby is that young, they grow up more and more every day – even 3 months after they’re born they’ll look completely different. You’ll be thankful in the years to come to have this treasure trove of memories. Plus they’re great to whip out at family dinners years afterwards, at weddings, graduations or when they bring their first girlfriend or boyfriend home! Think of the embarrassing tales you can regale your guests with then!

The most important recommendation we have?

Listen to all the advice given to you, read all the books, research all the articles. And then, just go with the flow. You’ll only remember 5% of what you’ve read and half of that won’t even be relevant when your new baby arrives!

You know best for your baby. We all learn on the job. You’re doing great Momma, keep doing you!