Being a new mom is hard. You may have read millions of books about motherhood, but being a new mom comes with many problems you won’t expect. It is quite common for new moms to make mistakes that may affect their life and their children.
Luckily, you don’t need to worry. I have decided to share the 10 mistakes I made as a new mom in order to prevent other moms from making them. If you are interested, keep reading.
10 Mistakes I Made As a New Mom
I’ll say it again – being a mom is hard and all moms make mistakes, no one is perfect. Making mistakes is how you learn what works and what doesn’t for you and your child. Here are a few of the mistakes I personally made as a new mom:
Mistake #1: Not Following a Routine.
This is a big mistake. Without routines, you and your babies will be exhausted. Children thrive on schedules and routines. You can create a routine after the first two weeks of your baby’s life. I personally follow the Moms On Call Schedule. By placing your baby on a routine and following a feeding schedule, your day and night will become more organized and productive.
Mistake #2: Not Letting Others Help You.
Being a new mom is hard. You need the help of others. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t accept help from others, you need to change. If someone like your partner, family member, or friend wants to help you, let them. Do not feel guilty for it. You are human and need help, and you get tired too!
Mistake #3: Not Picking What Was Easiest for Me.
There are going to be so many choices to make when you become a new mom. For example, are you going to breastfeed? How long do you want to do that for? Choose what is easier for you and what makes you happy. This is your baby and your body.
Mistake #4: Stopping Your Vitamins
If you do not want to lose your hair, keep taking vitamins. After birth, your body will lose a lot of nutrients. Eat well, hydrate, and keep taking your prenatal or postnatal vitamins. This will also help you to breastfeed.
Mistake #5: Believing Breastfeeding Prevents Pregnancy
This is a common mistake. Breastfeeding does make conception a bit harder, but there are so many new parents who get pregnant while breastfeeding. It is not a contraceptive. So, if you don’t want kids, use a different type of protection. Also, don’t freak out if your period is late. It doesn’t mean you’re pregnant. Breastfeeding can cause changes in your cycle.
Mistake #6: Not Giving Attention to Your Partner
You and your partner will have problems if you do not give each other attention. Let others help you so you can have some time with your spouse. It is very important for you and your partner’s mental health.
Mistake #7: Not Giving Your Baby Tummy Time
Tummy time is so important for your child. Don’t keep caring for your child. Tummy time helps children build strength in their necks and their arms. They learn about their surroundings and learn new skills on their own by just being on their tummies. Children should ALWAYS be supervised when on their tummies. Never leave them on their tummies alone.
Mistake #8: Not Taking Care of Yourself
Nap when your child naps. Take an hour for yourself. Relax, take a shower or bath. Take care of yourself because you will suffer mentally and physically if you don’t. If you feel depressed, talk to your doctor before it gets worse. Take care of yourself as much as you take care of your child. You need to be in your best form when taking care of a child.
Mistake #9: Comparing Your Child With Other Children
This is a huge mistake. Every child develops at his/her own pace.Just remember some children walk earlier than others. It is totally normal. Never compare because you will tire yourself for nothing. If you have concerns, just talk to your doctor about them.
Mistake #10: Not Searching for Moms Hacks
You can find everything on the internet. Learning different mommy hacks can help you overcome common obstacles moms face.
New Mom Hacks That Changed My Life
As I mentioned before, I found some mommy hacks online that really changed the way I navigated my first months of motherhood. These hacks helped me maintain my sanity, sleep, eat, and just get into good routines that made life a little bit easier. Here are a few new mom hacks that I learned:
Hack #1: Basket with Diapers In Every Room
Keep a basket filled with diapers and wipes in every room and car, so you won’t have to go to the nursery room every time.
Hack #2: Onesies Removal
During blowouts to avoid getting poop on the baby’s head, pull the onesie downward by expanding the shoulder area.
Hack #3: Moving Baby From Lap To Bed Easily
Warm up the baby’s bed with a warm compress or heating pad. Make sure to remove the heating pad before placing the baby in the crib, and make sure it is not too hot.
Hack #4: Know the 5 S’s
The 5 S’s are swaddling, shushing, swinging, sucking and side-stomach position. These can help calm a child fast and get your baby to sleep when you need sleep too.
Hack #5: Pacifier
Pacifiers or “binkys” have been associated with decreasing the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and can provide relief as a mom. If you’re struggling, play around with different brands and styles of pacifiers.
Hack #6: White Noise
Use white noise or meditation music to keep your baby sleeping longer. You can find white noise machines and toys on Amazon or at your local shopping center – most are under $20.
Hack #7: Dress Code for Baby
Dress your baby in an extra layer than what you are wearing, or find a guide that shows you exactly how many layers your baby needs based on the temperature like this one.
Hack #8: Backpacks Are More Practical
Backpacks are more practical than diaper bags. It is much bigger, and you can wear it on your back. If you have more than one child, you will not be able to fit your two kids’ necessities into a diaper bag.
Hack #9: Beddings
Place two sheets over each other. That way changing sheets would be so much easier. Babies spit up a lot; don’t waste too much time on beddings.
Hack #10: Plan Meals Weekly Not Daily
Prepare meals once a week, and make the meals simple and nutritious. You will not have the time to cook, clean and take care of a baby. Choose a day for shopping, and choose a day for meal preparations.
In Conclusion
Parenting is hard, but you can learn from the mistakes I made. I am sure after reading this post, you will face less challenges and be more confident in being a mom.
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