Tips for the New Mom

Being a new mom is hard and difficult, especially with no sleep! Although most people are well intentioned, many moms get less than helpful advice from others.
Below are some tips that I came up with that are hopefully helpful! Some tips are common sense and some you have probably heard before.

Take a nap when baby naps.
Common sense, we've all heard it before.
But how many new moms really do this? It is so important to try and sleep when baby sleeps.
Make homemade baby food if you can.
Making your own baby food is easy, less expensive than jars, and healthier! I have done both- purchased baby food and made baby food.
You can save a lot of money by doing it yourself.
When in doubt, call the pediatrician.
Usually a pediatrician has an on call service that will direct you to a nurse line.
You can ask the nurse questions and explain the situation, all for free.
The nurse will be able to tell you if you need to make an emergency trip.
Although babies are unpredictable and you NEED to be flexible, try to create a schedule for yourself and baby even if you don't follow it.
This will help you stay a little more organized.
Don't forget to take pictures or video of your baby.
Don't be ashamed to ask for help.
If you feel like you need a break or just need to take a nap, call someone or arrange time for somebody to come over.
Don't worry about your house staying spotless.
Your house WILL NEVER be spotless again until your children are older to clean up for themselves.
Sorry, those days are over.
Make crock pot meals or eat simple.
If you didn't freeze meals before you had the baby, make meals with your crock pot.
It is so easy to throw food in the crock pot and let it sit all day.
Eat a sandwich or salad for dinner.
Nobody expects you to cook a gourmet dinner.
Babies will cry.
Sometimes we don't know why they are crying.
Sometimes they cry over everything because they like attention.
Sometimes they are hungry.
Sometimes they are overly tired and cry.
Don't feel bad to put your baby in an area that is safe for a baby (like the crib) and walk away for a few minutes and catch a breath if you are getting upset.
Don't ever shake your baby.
I hate to write this but unfortunately some people lose their temper and shake their baby because they have had enough.
Don't ever do this! Babies are innocent little beings.