While many of us will become parents in our lifetime, nothing can quite prepare you for the reality of what this means. Yes, you know that one day you’ll have an offspring that is half yours and half someone else’s and yes you know the fundamentals such as they need feeding, changing and looking after, but it’s the nitty gritty bits in between that nothing can quite prepare you for. In fact, no matter how many books you read or videos you watch in the preparation for the birth of your little one, nothing will get you ready quite like first hand experience when they arrive. And when you’re sleep deprived and wondering just what’s going on, it can be more than a bit overwhelming. With this in mind, in this article we take a look at some top tips for being a first time parents that should hopefully make it a little bit easier for you. Keep on reading to find out more.
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Spend some time in your little family bubble
When you first have a baby, you’ll likely be bombarded with messages from friends, family and other well wishers who want to come and meet your bundle of joy. While this is nice, you also need to spend some time recovering after the ordeal of giving birth, as well as bonding with your baby. This is one of the most magical times in your life when you can just soak up the hours and learn about your little one. For example, if your newborn whines in sleep you’ll find ways to help soothe them and get them back down and see it’s perfectly normal.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Dealing with a newborn can be overwhelming but don’t feel like you have to do it alone. If you have family or friends around, there is no shame in asking for help when you need it. It could be that you need someone to come around and watch the baby while you have a shower or just get a bit of sleep. Maybe you can ask if someone can come and give a hand with the chores and get your house tidy, or maybe you just want that extra bit of moral support to help show you’re doing it right. People are always happy to help so don’t be afraid to ask.
Listen to advice but work it out yourself
When you have a newborn baby, you will be inundated with advice from different people about what worked for their little one. While these tips can all be good, it can soon feel very overwhelming when you are receiving advice here, there and everywhere. Take everything on board, but also don’t be afraid to just do what you think is best. You will get to know your baby and just because something worked for someone, doesn’t mean it will work for you anyway. Take the time to get to grips with parenthood, not being afraid to make your own mistakes along the way.
Get out and about
When you’re a new parent, it can be hard leaving the house. It can feel like you have a million and one things to bring with you and you can be left feeling like it’s all too much hassle. While it might feel that way, even just getting out for a walk around the block and some fresh air can really make you feel a lot better both mentally and physically.
Take time for yourself
When you have a baby it can feel like you are just drawing in parenthood and your mental health can take a knock. To stop it escalating, ensure you have time for yourself. Do things such as head out for a solo coffee date or to the gym, leaving your baby with a trusted friend or relative. You’ll be much more refreshed and happy and your baby will benefit from this too.
These are just a few top tips for being a first-time parent that should help you navigate those tricky times when you first have a baby. Remember that it is a stressful time with many different things to discover and you’ll figure it out as you go along. Try not to put too much pressure on yourselves and just enjoy settling into your new life as a family. What are some top tips you have for being a first time parent? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you and share the advice with other new parents or parents to be!
