Becoming a new parent for the first time is an exhilarating experience, but it sure can be pretty intense and overwhelming from time to time. New parents often describe the experience as being one of the most challenging that they’ve ever been through, and that shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise — there is, after all, little that can prepare you for having to provide round-the-clock care for a little human!
With that said, while we’re not going to say that being a new parent can be easy, there are things you can do that’ll make things easier. Take the tips we’ve outlined below, and you’ll be doing all you can to make your new life as a parent more straightforward. Don’t have kids, but have friends or family members who are expecting a baby? Feel free to pass on these words of wisdom.
Embrace the Madness
Humans tend to favor control, especially during chaotic periods (such as when you have a little baby in your life). However, while you can put measures in place to prevent things from becoming overly chaotic, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to avoid the madness altogether. Rather than trying to have a firm grip on all aspects of your parenting experience, we’d recommend embracing the madness and accepting that things won’t always be exactly as you want them to be. Remember: when it comes to parenting (both at baby stage and other stages), it’s about doing things well enough, not perfectly.
Accept Help
It’s normal that new parents get a little possessive (and obsessive!) of their new children. After all, the responsibility ultimately lies with them. However, it’s sometimes worth overcoming that desire to manage everything and simply letting those who want to help you do so. You’ll find that it’s much easier to manage things when you (and your partner) aren’t responsible for every single detail. If a family member is happy to watch your baby while you take care of some other urgent business, then let them — you don’t get any extra points for raising your child completely on your own. It takes a village, as they say.
Practice Self-Care
You can dedicate all of your energy and attention to your baby on any single day. But every day? That’s not possible. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so make sure that you’re dedicating some time and energy to your own self-care. Most people find that they’re much better-equipped to meet the demands of life, including raising their baby, when they’re practicing meditation, yoga, working out, and eating well. While you might not have the same amount of time to invest in your well-being as you did during your pre-child period, it’s still worth carving out some time to look after yourself. Every little helps!
Your Baby’s Sleep Is Your Friend
Most new parents will tell you that the most challenging aspect of raising a baby is the impact it has on your sleep. If they’re awake through the night, then you’re awake — and after a few nights of that experience, it’d be more surprising if you didn’t feel like a zombie. It’s unlikely that you’ll feel fully refreshed and energized during your baby’s first few months on this planet, so it’s best to forget that ambition. With that said, you absolutely can take steps to ensure that your tiredness levels are kept under control. With a bit of knowledge and planning, you can optimize your baby’s sleep schedule — and that’ll have a huge impact on your own sleeping habits. Focus on the following questions:
- How long should a baby nap?
- How many hours should my baby sleep each day?
- What are the optimal sleeping conditions for new babies?
You’ll find that knowing the answers to those questions alone can go a long way towards ensuring that your baby has a great sleep routine.
Remember: You Don’t Need to Buy Everything
The market for new baby products is huge, but that doesn’t mean that you need to buy absolutely everything that’s available. It’s easy to get carried away when looking at baby products, especially when you have plenty of time to browse before the baby arrives and see items that you know you might need. But the truth is, you can usually get away with buying just the basics — if you really need an item later down the line, well, you can always buy it. It’s also worth checking if any friends or family members have any old baby items they no longer need. Having a baby can be expensive, and you’ll feel more relaxed if you know you’re not spending more than necessary!
Find Your Own Way
Some parents make things unnecessarily difficult for themselves by believing, on some level, that they’re doing things wrong. But there isn’t a true ‘right way’ to raise a baby — whatever works for you and your child is the correct method. So while it’s recommended to read parenting books, watch videos, and take advice from people who have been there, done that, it’s important that you take advice for what it is — advice. In many cases, it’s better to simply trust your instincts rather than try to do things in one particular way, all because you read in a book somewhere that it’s recommended.
Slow Down and Appreciate the Small Moments
Finally, keep in mind that while having a new baby can be stressful, it’s also pretty magical. Actually, forget that — it’s very magical. It’ll be one of the most special times of your life, and though it might not seem like it when you’re in the middle of the chaos, it’ll pass by more quickly than you think. As such, it’s important to slow down occasionally and take the time to really appreciate the experience. If you find that it’s difficult to do this, then try incorporating meditation into your daily schedule. It’s great for bringing a moment of calm into your life, and can also provide the presence of mind required to enjoy the present moment.
