8 Tips and Tricks for First Time Mums
Saying that being a first-time mum can be a nerve-racking experience, would have to be the understatement of the century! 😊 It can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of our lives, and of course you want it to be as problem-free and joyous as possible. But with so much to think about, first time mums can often become overwhelmed - causing stress and anxiety.
Let’s do away with some of those worries, shall we? Below, we’ll go over some top tips for first time mothers - everything from how to structure your sleep schedule to where to find support for any of your motherly needs. Without further ado, let’s get started...💖
1. Read, Read, Read
A great way to alleviate stress around your first pregnancy is to get yourself informed on the process and what to expect. Many blogs, books and other online resources often include personal experiences that can help make the information much more relatable to your situation, thereby making that knowledge a lot easier to apply.
But a quick word of caution - although there are (literally!) thousands of resources online that discuss various topics on pregnancy, just be careful with where you’re getting that information from. Make sure that they’ve cited credible sources and if you’re not sure whether an article/site is reliable or not, you can always fact-check a lot of these articles yourself. 😊
2. Embrace Change
So you’ve got a bun in the oven and you’re preparing for birth - there’s some serious change headed your way! A lot of women expect to be back to their regular work, sleep, and social schedules not long after the birth, but a baby is a full-time responsibility and it can take some time to get back into the swing of things. That’s totally okay so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. 🩰 Give yourself the time you need to recover and enjoy every little moment - it’ll be great for you and your new bundle of joy and as they say, “they grow up too fast!” 😊
3. Tweak your Schedule
Your schedule prior to pregnancy may not be as conducive to life now that baby is here! Welcome to a world where you do need to balance the constant pressures that are on you (financial, work commitments, etc) & spending time with your little darling. Minor tweaks to the schedule can work wonders so as to create extra time to sort out whatever you need done. ⏳😊🦸♀️🦸♂️
4. Listen to Your Baby
New-borns and mothers have an innate bond that is formed from the second they pop out of the womb; tune into that. If you recognise your baby’s verbal and non-verbal signals (including crying and hand movements), you’ll soon be able to translate that into what they need; milk, nappy changes, bedtime, etc. As you become familiar with these, you will be able to meet their need quicker, resulting in a happy baby and happy mummy! 😊
5. Sleep When You’re Baby Sleeps
Speaking about tweaking your schedule, consider adding sleep times to the mix. Many mothers think that they should only be making changes to their social schedules but sleeping patterns too, are of paramount importance.
If you’re constantly tired it could effect your mood, indecisiveness and cause you to be a little erratic; these are all things that you don’t want to be when taking care of a new-born. You need to be calm, controlled and resourceful - a state of mind which requires that you are well rested. Try syncing up your sleep schedule with that of your baby’s (as much as possible, of course). 👶
6. Link Up with Mothers’ Groups
Talking through your experiences with someone/a group of people who are in the same situation can be incredibly helpful - they can understand any problems you might be facing and can give you differing opinions on solutions to problems, offering general support too. With modern technology, joining a mother’s group has never been easier so get those fingers walking! 😄
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Some of us think it’s embarrassing to ask for help or support from friends/family and medical professionals. It’s not. Especially when experiencing motherhood for the first time. There are plenty of ways to receive help.
If the problems you’re facing cannot be aided by family and friends, think about maybe reaching out to a support group, a medical professional or give us a call! We are all more than happy to help with advice that comes from experience. 👍😊
8. Stay Calm and Relaxed
Throughout everything, all the late nights and nappy changes, all the screaming tantrums and messy meal times; just remember to stay calm and you’ll get through it. Being a mother isn’t always easy, everyone knows that. But getting frustrated with yourself or your child isn’t going to help anyone.
We know it’s easier said than done, but you just have to take some time to yourself in between the busy rush of day-to-day activities and just relax. 😊 Maybe look into guided meditation, watch an episode of your favourite TV show, treat yourself to a bar of chocolate; whatever it is that will calm you down and make you feel comfortable. Because if you’re not in a good state of mind, your little munchkin will sense it too!
So, what do you think of these 8 tips? Do you have any ideas or comments to add? Let us know, we’d love to hear your thoughts! 😊💕
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