Being a first time mum is HELLA hard.
We spend weeks and months preparing for birth but what comes next? What are the parenting tips for new mums that you REALLY need to know?
Suddenly you’ve got a real life newborn that is completely dependent on you for survival. Add to that the post birth hormones, boobs that rival Bessie the cow (in size and milk capacity) and a pad the size of a surfboard in your knickers and it’s no wonder first time mamas often have a haunted, ‘kangaroo in the headlights’ look about them.
The thing is, despite feeling like you’ve got no effing idea what you’re doing, your mummy instincts have kicked in. And listening to them is just about the best thing you can do, according to a new survey of 1000 mums.
The best new mum advice from those who’ve been there
The BabyLove survey asked mums to think about everything they’d learnt as a parent, and nominate their top tip for first time mums.
The most popular tip?
“Listen to your instincts/No one knows your baby as well as you do.”
Midwife and Maternal and Child Health Nurse Cath Curtin who has delivered 10,000 babies in her 43 year career, agrees.
“Intuition often lets us know as parents when something isn’t quite right, and yet often first-time parents may not have the confidence to listen to their gut feeling, so it’s great that so many mums – especially second and third time mums – are sharing this advice with new parents,” says Cath.
“As a midwife, I often advise new parents’ not to overthink the newborn stage and discourage them from logging onto countless websites and blogs as it can lead to confusion and anxiety,”
YASSSS, you’ve got the force inside you mama! You’ve just gotta learn how to trust it, something that takes time!
The mother ‘hood’
The survey also uncovered the natural affinity that exists between mothers. Debra Smith, from BabyLove, says many of the tips offer encouragement and assurance to women in the new role as mothers. “There is a great sense of affinity, empathy and mutual support between mums,” she says.
Best of the rest
So what are these pieces of advice that experienced mums have for first-timers? Alongside the number one tip, the other 11 are:
- Relax/ Don’t stress the small stuff/Go with the flow
- Enjoy every moment because it is over in a flash/Enjoy your moments with the baby
- Don’t worry about what other people think
- Do what is right for you/your family
- Everything is going to be okay/ Hang in there/ Take it a day at a time
- Every child is different/ What works for one won’t work for the other
- Ask health experts for advice/ Consult with other mums/ Seek/ Listen to advice
- Be patient
- Rest when you can/ Get enough sleep/ Sleep when baby sleeps
- Be kind to yourself/ Be gentle with yourself
- Ask for help/ Don’t be afraid to ask for help
We think it’s all pretty darn good advice!
Want more, new mum tips and advice? Check out our real mum’s guide to surviving the first three months
