Parenting advice is a lot like love. It’s hard to get, and easy to give.
What follows is a list of 17 survival tips for new parents (and those who love them). These are things that I wish someone had told me when I was first starting as a parent, or at least before I had my second child. Hopefully, if you’re just starting, you’ll find some value here. If you’re not a parent yet, maybe you’ll find some inspiration for the future.
And if you’re further along on the parenting journey than I am (or hope to be), perhaps there’s something here that will help put things in perspective for you too.
Moms and dads, here are some tips to help you survive the first year of parenthood.
#1. Ask For Help
You’re not alone. Whether it’s changing diapers, making bottles, or wiping noses, ask for help when you need it. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength because it allows other people to help take some of the load off your shoulders so that you can get more sleep, eat healthier food and spend more time with those who matter most to you (your baby).
#2. Establish A Bedtime Routine
Baby should go down at roughly the same time every night, giving everyone in the house a chance to get ready for bed at the same time and making bedtime less stressful for everyone involved.
This routine also helps establish healthy sleeping patterns for your child, so she’ll sleep through the night more easily as she gets older.
#3. Be a Good Listener
This is the most important survival tip for new parents. When your baby starts crying, your first instinct might be to make it stop, but that’s not always possible.
If you can’t immediately figure out what’s wrong, don’t panic! Just listen carefully so you can identify what’s upsetting her.
#4. Learn to Sleep When Your Baby Sleeps
This is especially important if you have another child already at home or if you have multiple children (it’s hard enough to keep one child quiet).
Get help from other family members, including older children and grandparents, who can watch the baby while you take a nap or get something done around the house.
#5. Don’t Expect Yourself to Be Perfect All of the Time
There will be times when you feel overwhelmed and exhausted, and that’s okay! It’s normal for new parents to feel this way sometimes, whether they’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding their babies.
Just remember that you’re doing an amazing job being a parent no matter what anyone else says about it.
#6. Make Healthy Choices
It’s very easy to get into the habit of eating junk food when you have kids. Your child will constantly be asking for snacks or meals, and they don’t care that they’re making bad choices, they just want something to eat.
But if you are going to be able to stay healthy and not gain too much weight, then you need to make healthy choices for yourself as well as for your children.
Don’t give in just because it’s easier, set an example by making good choices for yourself and your family.
#7. Be Ready for Sick Days
If your child gets sick, you’ll likely have to stay home from work and miss out on money for doctor’s visits and medicine.
Make sure you have enough money saved up to cover these expenses because otherwise, you may find yourself in debt, which could affect your relationship with your partner and your child.
#8. Set Aside Time for Yourself
It’s easy to fall into a routine of spending all your time with your child and forgetting about yourself, but this isn’t good for anyone involved. You need time to recharge your batteries and avoid burnout.
This is especially true if you are a single parent who is raising kids on their own or if you work outside of the home full-time, as I do.
#9. Take Care Of Your Mind And Body
It’s easy to neglect your health when you’re busy with a new baby, but taking care of yourself is crucial for your mental and physical well-being.
#10. Be Ready for Sick Days
Your baby will get sick at some point, so prepare ahead by having diapers, formula, and other essentials on hand. If you don’t have enough diapers, you may have to go out to buy more in the middle of the night or early morning when stores aren’t open yet.
Also, keep a few extra changes of clothing in case your baby has an accident or gets sick from something like salmonella from contaminated food or water sources.
#11. Remember, You’re a Role Model
And not just for your kid, but for everyone else too. Your child will look up to you for guidance on how to live his or her life and act in social situations.
It’s up to you to set a good example for them so that they can learn from it later on in life.
#12. Limit Visitors (Or Not)
Having friends over can be lovely, but if they keep coming over while you’re still recovering from childbirth or dealing with newborn exhaustion, it might not be such a good idea after all.
#13. Get Your Partner Involved in Parenting Too
I know it’s tempting to just throw all of your responsibility onto him/her when you have a newborn but this is not fair and only makes things harder on yourself and your relationship.
Your partner can help out by taking over more responsibilities around the house while you take some time off from work, or maybe he can take care of things while you take care of the baby so that neither one of you feels stressed out or overwhelmed in this new phase of life.
#14. Go Outside Every Day
It might be tempting to hole up in the house but don’t give in. Go out at least once a day and let your baby experience the world and its many wonders.
Even when it’s cold or rainy, this will help your baby develop more quickly than if you stay inside all day long.
#15. Go Nap Whenever You Can
Babies are exhausting. Naps are one of the best things about being a new parent because they give you time to recharge and get ready for round two with your little one.
Take advantage of every nap opportunity, even if it means taking naps at different times throughout the day or even in different rooms (if it works with your schedule).
#16. Trust Your Instincts as a Parent
When in doubt, trust yourself: If something doesn’t feel right about your baby, or about how he or she is behaving or reacting, don’t ignore it, seek help immediately.
You know your baby better than anyone else, and if something doesn’t feel right to you, it probably isn’t.
If there are signs that your child is not developing normally or meeting milestones (or if he or she has any other medical concerns), talk to your pediatrician about what can be done.
#17. All Babies Are Different
All babies are different even within the same family. One may sleep through the night from day one while another may wake every hour for weeks on end. One baby might be a great eater while another may not want anything but breast milk or formula for months on end.
Some babies love being outside while others hate it and prefer to stay inside as much as possible. Babies are individuals, just like we are all individuals and they should be treated as such, with love, respect, and understanding.
Conclusion
Parenting is an adventure. Following the above tips and learning from other parents can help you sail through the waves that come your way.
