Becoming a mother is an experience like no other! It’s no longer me, myself & I, you are responsible for this little being 24/7 non-stop! What you eat, drink, when you sleep (or not!), where you go & the things you do now are all changed! Babies truly are a gift from God and what you do with that “gift” will determine what kind of little human you decide to raise. Newborns are very smart and observant so the things you do and say will make a huge difference in the long run!
When an expectant mommy asks me what one piece of advice I can give to them, I would say try to relax, breathe & enjoy every moment! One thing I’ve noticed in the MANY years of working with babies, is that every anxious new mom leads to high-maintenance babies! The more chill, relaxed moms (and dads), produce the easiest, lower temperment, laid-back babies!
Definitely accept the help that people offer, even if it’s just to take a well-deserved nap or shower!! Take some time for yourselves once in a while, trust me, your baby will survive!
Nursing moms need approximately 500-800 of extra nutritious calories and at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. So make sure to eat your 3 well-balanced meals, have snacks at your breastfeeding stations and let that tumbler of water become an extension of yourself!
If you are fortunate enough to have grandparents or day nannies there for the first few weeks, let them do all the housework, laundry, cooking and errands so you can just focus on you, baby and getting as much rest as you can! And yes, “sleep when baby sleeps”, naps will become you’re new favorite thing to do LOL!
Of course, for those who would like someone like us to take care of baby overnight so you can be alert and well-rested for the next day, book some overnight care! Most parents say that even 1-2 nights a week help tremendously!!
