Here I am just a few short weeks after having my third baby and it’s hard to believe. I feel like I just brought my first baby home and yet it’s been years.
During those years of motherhood, I have learned a few tips that would have made bringing my first baby home so much easier.
Do you ever wish there was a handbook with all the things you need to know about raising kids? I would love a special one that comes with each kid on how to raise that particular child.
But since that handbook doesn’t come with the baby we all just do our best and learn as we go.
Things to Know Before Having Your First Baby
If you’re having your first (or third baby) here are a few things I wish I knew before I had my first baby. I hope these tips help you have a smoother transition into motherhood.
Your Plan Will Change
From your birth plan to how you parent the one thing you can plan on is your plan changing.
Your plan probably won’t change 100% but you will make little changes here and there as you learn and figure out what works best for you, your spouse and your kids.
So here is to taking a deep breath and being ok with changing your plan and figuring out a new plan over and over again.
Use Onesie Flaps
Did you know that onesie flaps are designed so you can pull the onesie down instead of having to go over your little ones head?
This is an important thing to know especially when your little one has a blowout. This prevents getting the blowout all up their back and in their hair!
Gowns are the Best
When we had our first baby and I told my husband I wanted to get some sleeping gowns for him. My husband did not want our little boy to wear dresses.
But after the first couple of weeks he started loving how easy it was to change diapers during the night when the baby had a gown on.
Plus it was so much easier to put on the baby when he still had the ambilocal cord stump.
There are several different types of baby gowns the onesie type gown with elastic at the bottom of the gown has been around for a long time and right now the knotted gowns are really in style and so cute.
Dress Baby From the Toes Up
Remember those onesie flaps I mentioned above? Because of those flaps you can dress baby from the toes up by pulling the onesie up to put it on.
This can be a much easier way to dress a newborn, as the baby gets bigger it will eventually becomes easier to dress them from the top down.
But those first few weeks it has been easier for me to dress the new baby from the toes up.
Related Post: Must Haves for the First 6 Months
Don’t Get Pajamas with Snaps!
With our first baby, we seemed to worry about the cuteness of the outfit more than the functionality. Let me save you from some of the struggles, don’t get pajamas with snaps!
Pajamas with snaps might be cute but who wants to have to match a million snaps in the middle of the night. Because let me tell you it will feel like a million when all you want to do is go back to sleep.
To save yourself time and be able to get back to sleep faster get pajamas with a zipper.
Swaddle that Baby
It’s surprised me how many of my friends when they had their first baby didn’t swaddle the baby.
A swaddled newborn is typically happier since they feel more secure. Remember they just spent 9 months inside where they were very snug.
If you aren’t sure how to swaddle your little one ask the nurse before you leave the hospital to show you how. They are the pros at getting a tight swaddle.
If you’re already home and not sure what to do you can always look up a youtube video showing you how to swaddle your little one. Or you can get a swaddle wrap like the SwaddleMe.
I personally love all the cute swaddle blankets but the wraps are another good option.
Related Post: Quotes About Motherhood
Start a Baby Journal
You might think you will remember all the things from the first few weeks with your little one but the lack of sleep will make it hard.
Start a journal where you can write down the things you don’t want to forget, including the birth story.
There are a lot of cute baby journals you can get many of them you can start while pregnant. Or if you don’t want something that has set things to write about you can always get a regular lined journal and write whatever you want.
Take Pictures/ Videos
Ok so this one might not really need to be said but take all the pictures and videos. They grow so fast so try to capture all those little things you love about each stage.
It’s always so fun to look back and remember those times with your little ones. Plus the kids love seeing themselves when they were younger.
Sleep
For some new parents it can be hard to sleep with a newborn. Worrying that you might miss something they need or not hear them.
But don’t stay awake worrying, they will wake if they need you and you will figure it all out. It just takes a little time to figure all this new parenting stuff out.
It Goes Fast
While the newborn stage can seem like it’s never-ending at times it really goes fast. So enjoy those newborn snuggles and let other things go.
They are only little for a short time and it goes so fast. Remember the days are long but the years are short.
Even while you enjoy it don’t feel bad if some days you’re just done. We all have those moments and that’s totally fine. Just take a deep breath, have daddy watch the baby and go take a long hot shower.
You’ll be amazed at how much joy you can find in motherhood when you make sure to take care of yourself as well as your family.
What newborn tips do you wish you would have known sooner?
These are all great tips, it does go by so fast.