Becoming a Mom can be a dream come true for so many women! Although this accomplishment brings indescribable emotions (both positive and negative), it can also bear a heavy weight. How do you know you’re doing a good job? How can you refrain from comparing with others, while still feeling the need to interact and learn from other mothers?
Friendly Reminders For First-Time Moms
There is no foolproof method to avoid these feelings.
However, we take our chance to give our 2 cents on this and share advice for new Moms we’ve learned throughout our experience dealing with families.
1 – Have A Support Network
As you’re venturing into motherhood, the path might feel a bit lonely. Not everyone can understand how beautiful yet challenging this experience might be.
The feeling of being alone and having no one to talk to can be very distressing and have psychological consequences. Having a support network is essential to share opinions, insecurities and feelings that can lead to heavy anxiety and burnout if bottled up.
Choose and find people you can trust to be by your side when you feel like you need support. The very presence of these allies might help you remember that you are not alone when it comes to facing the challenges of being a new mom.
2 – Ask For And Accept Help
It’s very common for new moms to try to figure out everything on their own. Sometimes we feel shame for not knowing what to do, or we can feel not trusting of other people’s advice. It’s ok to feel like you want to solve every single problem, but this habit can drain and exhaust a woman over time.
Find people you trust and don’t be afraid to ask for help, advice or support on practical chores. Allow yourself to be helped as well, so whenever a trusted one offers a hand, accept it without overthinking.
This might be even when it comes to small day-to-day things, such as having a friend bring over dinner to you and the family; or letting your Little One spend time with a family member they feel comfortable with – which gives you a few moments to rest, or invest in other tasks.
Choose those people by assessing if they are supportive of your feelings and participate without causing you to feel judged or lessened. Invite to your inner circle those who respect and trust your choices as a Mom, and make you feel supported.
3 – Choose Your Online Research Wisely
This is the best time in history to find information about any kind of subject. The internet is filled with content and it is an amazing place to find good advice for new moms.
Do your research through blog posts and subscribe to forums and social media groups where there is a lot of specific information available.
However, be careful not to take what’s being exposed for granted or as an unquestionable truth. Remember that people filter too much of their lives and realities online, so be careful not to do comparisons.
4 – Learn From Other Mothers
Relying on other people who have experienced your current situation is one of the best sources of information for new moms.
Look for community groups that support new moms, or as mentioned above, join motherhood social media groups.
By connecting with other moms, you may learn that your present struggles are nothing but a phase, and even feel inspired to try different approaches than you’d be used to.
These forums could be a place in which members will be happy to support other women going through this phase and the further challenges, especially education.
5 – Babies Have Phases: Understand The Current One…
This applies not only in grasping developmental stages and milestones that set the stage for the next phase, but even when it comes to investments like clothes, toys, and other gadgets such as cribs, swaddle blankets, and even feeding bottles.
Resist the urge caused by content creators or social media that makes you feel like you have to own a baby arsenal to take good care of your child.
Invest in basic items (especially if recommended by the pediatrician) to ensure your baby is well taken care of, and your family’s financial help stands preserved.
6 – … and Enjoy Your Child’s Present Stage!
Just as a baby’s clothes and toys will eventually become outworn, the good and the challenging moments you’re currently experiencing will also pass.
Enjoy your baby’s moment, because they’ll grow and develop quickly. Spend quality time with them, appreciate their new breakthroughs, cuddle and laugh with them as much as you can!
Trust us when we say you’ll miss the good-ol’ days when they’re gone! So create lovely memories to hold on to.
7 – Invest In Your Own Motherhood Style
Sometimes, being too invested in a topic might be overwhelming.
As we’ve suggested before, talking with other moms and learning from other people’s experiences can be inspiring. There’s interesting and uplifting advice shared online by other Moms, and health specialists such as doctors.
However… too much advice might cause you to make negative comparisons and try to mirror your life to unreal expectations.
Create your own motherhood style by applying rules that suit your own reality. Get to know your child, and learn what kind of activities and investments are adequate for your family dynamics.
Don’t follow “motherhood trends” or advice indiscriminately: learn what your baby needs, how you can give it to them, and always prioritize sustainable choices for you and your loved ones.
8 – Give Yourself Permission To Be Imperfect
Last but not least: one of the most important tips on being a first-time Mom, is to give yourself permission to be imperfect.
As difficult as it can be, we need to remind ourselves that we are not perfect and we are going to make mistakes, inevitably. However, remember that eventually getting it wrong doesn’t mean you don’t love your child. It only means that you are human and trying your best and learning as you go.
If you ever feel in doubt about the best way to go, choose to consult with your rock-solid advisors as the people who’ll rely upon for advice, and actually take it because you know you can trust them.
This includes pediatricians who choose to stick by your side and watch your baby develop.
First-Time Moms, Your Journey Is Exciting And Beautiful!
Society tends to preach advice for first-time Moms about how this moment is magical to perfection, that we will have it all figured out, but this might not always be true.
Being a new Mom is often a time to be vulnerable for not exactly knowing what to do. Don’t you worry, because you’ll have enough time to correct the course and prepare your baby for the world.
As much as possible, try to refrain from feeling guilty and insufficient. Without those negative feelings, you will lift a huge load over your shoulders and make better use of your time by strengthening the bond with your child.
We hope you’re feeling more secure and supported after seeing our advice for new Moms specially crafted for first-timers!
Continue your growth on learning how to make the best choices for your Little One. Next, read about how to choose a daycare and find a safe space for your child’s growth!
