So you’re expecting your first baby and wondering what the best parenting tips for a newborn are! What comes after nine months of pregnancy is something that your mind and body may find difficult to cope with. The truth of the matter is that you simply cannot get yourself completely ready. However, this doesn’t mean you stop making preparations altogether. The process is going to be challenging no doubt. But with these 10 best tips for surviving baby’s first few weeks, it might get easier.

Knowing how to nurture your newborn while also taking care of yourself is the most difficult part. I’ve been through it, and more than once. So what you see below is based on my personal experiences as a mother.

10 parenting tips for a newborn

1 Stock the kitchen

With a new baby in the house, meal planning, grocery shopping, and prepping food are the least of your worries. So what you can do during the last weeks of pregnancy is prepare healthy meals. And store them in your freezer.

Also don’t think twice before stocking your kitchen with all kinds of healthy, quick snacks. Such as nuts, dried fruits, muffins, and granola bars.

2 Sleep when your baby sleeps

This is something that you might have come across innumerable times. Am I right? Well, there’s a reason.

Sleepless nights are going to become common once the baby is born. So the only time you can enjoy undisturbed sleep is when your little creature is sleeping. Even if that means indulging in an extra nap or two throughout the day!

3 Get some help

You don’t “got this!” Please keep that in mind the next time you think you do. Sometimes even your partner’s involvement is not enough. So if a generous family member or friend offers to help, take it. There’s no chance you won’t need it.

You can also hire baby nurses to help you get through the first few weeks of motherhood.

4 Have access to important phone numbers

Before labour kicks in, it’s important to make a list of all the important phone numbers. These include your family doctor, your local hospital, lactation consultant, emergency contacts, and your midwife. Get a printout of that list and stick it on your refrigerator.

The last thing you want to do with a baby in one hand is scrambling around searching for one of those numbers.

5 Give importance to self-care

As much as you need 10 best tips for surviving baby’s first few weeks, this one is the most important. New mums are after all new mums, aren’t they? Leaning to care for newborns is no cakewalk! Especially without a good night’s rest!

So at such times, it’s only necessary to eat right and sleep when possible. Don’t ignore your doctor’s advice either. And make it a point to divide the responsibility of baby care and house chores between you and your partner.

Taking care of your physical and mental health is not an option. It’s a priority.

6 Learn the act of swaddling

Perfecting the technique of swaddling requires some practice. And once you get good at it, you’ve acquired the ability to soothe your little one.

When at the hospital, feel free to ask your nurse for a swaddling demonstration. I’m sure he/she won’t have a problem enacting the technique until you get it.

7 Don’t entertain too many guests

Having visitors over is nothing but an exhausting experience. After childbirth, your body takes time to adapt to your new self. Let alone cope with sleep deprivation. In these moments, the idea of seeing friendly faces might seem comforting. But you have to set certain boundaries.

Wait until you settle into the new “normal” schedule at least.

8 Don’t skip walks

Pediatricians highly advise against taking the new human to crowded areas like restaurants and malls. For as long as six weeks after delivery! But nobody is asking you to remain in the house for that duration.

You can always go to less crowded places for a short walk. Just get the stroller ready and you’re good to go! If you haven’t got one yet, ensure you’re getting a quality pushchair from a brand like Joie or other highly reviewed brands as you will be using it a lot. Also, you can get high-quality and affordable pushchairs from a proven brand like Joie.

9 Place baby supplies everywhere

When I say baby supplies, what comes to mind first? Nappies, right? So imagine having to go from one room to another just because you forgot to keep that overnight nappy handy.

Whatever you might need should be divided into parts and placed in every room of the house. You have no idea how convenient this is going to be.

10 Prepare to deal with bodily fluids

Babies are a bundle of joy. But they are also a bundle of bodily fluids. You’ll be wiping spit-ups multiple times in a single day. So what you require at such times; bibs and burp cloths. The latter is for the baby. And the former is for you. Put on a bib if you don’t want to end up with a huge laundry load.

So these are the 10 best parenting tips for a newborn. Although it can feel truly overwhelming, it’s important to remember that this particular hectic period is not going to last for a long time. Feeling unsure is only normal. And so is asking for advice and help. After all, that’s what doctors and even family members and close friends are there for, right!

Although you will want to be extra diligent in caring for your baby, so long as the baby is fed, clean, and feels loved that is the most important thing.

I hope you found the post useful. And most importantly, I hope you don’t neglect to look after yourself as much as your newborn. Even after the first few weeks.

Please drop in your thoughts and comments if you like. And do share the article with fellow mums-to-be.