Being a first-time mom is exciting and scary. Nothing is realer than the moment the doctor hands you your Baby. You have a tiny, little life that you are now responsible for. There are some things you can do to prepare for the baby, but in many instances, new moms learn by first-hand experience. As a mom who has recently been there and done that, read on learn about some of the top new mom do’s and don’ts so you don’t make the same mistakes that I did.

Do’s

• Do experiment with a variety of diapers. I had my mind set on a certain brand. But, when I tried a different brand from the diapers I was given at my baby shower, I actually found them to be a better fit for my son, more absorbent (especially overnight), and less expensive.
• Do sleep when the baby sleeps. It sounds so cliché, but you are not Super Woman. You need to get rest and sometimes this has to happen during the day if you are up every two to four hours at night. Many moms feel like they need to clean their home or shower instead. Utilize the help of family and friends during the first months so you can catch up on sleep and then take care of what you need to when someone can be with the baby.
• Do have a few changing stations set up around your home. I had one set up in my nursery upstairs and also in our family room downstairs. It just made things easier and it allowed for a quick change no matter where I was in the house.

Don’ts

• Don’t plan a lot of meet and greets when you get home from the hospital. Everyone and anyone will want to stop in from your college roommate to your distant cousins, and even your next door neighbors. You need your rest (especially if you’ve had a C-section). And, visitors bring germs! As difficult as it may be to fight off happy for you guests; politely tell say that you need a few weeks to settle in before having anyone in the home besides your immediate family.
• Don’t be afraid to run the vacuum when the baby is sleeping. Babies are used to loud, muffled noises in the womb. In fact, the noises are calming to them. One of the worst things you can do is not orient the baby to everyday background noises when they nap. They will become used to the sounds and are less likely to wake when you catch up on cleaning.
• If you are bottle feeding, don’t invest in expensive bottles. Some babies have acid reflux or have specific feeding needs, so you may have to use a special bottle. Start out simple with a bottle that reduces air intake and go from there!

Hopefully, some of these do’s and don’ts will help you prepare for being a new mom and will help you make decisions that benefit your family and your new baby!

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