Last night I talked to my friend who I haven’t seen for quite a while. She delivered a baby six months ago and was up to the eye in childcare. We were talking for about an hour. She was telling me about her daughter’s new achievements and her concerns about introducing new foods or her fear about sitting up her baby too early.
When we finally switched the topic and started discussing plans for New Year’s Eve, I heard her sighing deep and saying that she wanted nothing. Her only desire was to get enough sleep and not jump out of bed every time she heard some rustle in the crib.
This conversation brought me back in time when I just had my baby and was struggling hard to do everything right. I was exhausted and needed some rest. But eventually, I’ve gone through it and below are some valuable pieces of advice that helped me do it.
Having someone to help you is great!
When you have an infant, you get practically isolated from the world. You can’t even make a stop in the bathroom let alone browsing the shop. This is where grannies or best friends can be saving. I had none by my side. We moved to a new place in a new city, and I simply had no time to get acquainted with people around.
Fortunately, when my daughter turned three months, I made friends with my neighbor, a mother of a two-year-old boy. She offered her help and I took it. When I needed to go shopping to buy some stuff for baby or visit a doctor, she was there to help me and cuddle my daughter when I was absent.
If you have someone you trust and someone willing to help you don’t reject this valuable assistance. It’s quite ok for you to be at a loss or a bit incompetent with your first baby. Some day someone may need your help as well.
Stop stocking up!
I understand how tempting it is to buy yet another cute waist, toy or stretchie. Babies do grow up quickly and are likely to outgrow most things you have bought them the previous month. But that doesn’t mean you should stock up and make stocks out of your baby’s room. No one told me about it but I learned it myself after I had discovered that there were lots of clothes my daughter didn’t wear.
You need sleep as well!
Sleep is as vital for your baby as it is for you. Just think what you will be able to do if all you are dropping with fatigue. So set all your chores aside and have a nap together with your baby. But mind that daytime sleep shouldn’t be too long otherwise you will have troubles with getting your baby to sleep at night.
Enjoy the moment
As a child, I used to hear my parents say that children grow fast. I couldn’t get it. It seemed to me I would be ten years old forever. Now when I have my baby, I understand that every moment is precious.
Even if you are extremely tired and wish the day would end faster, think that it is not going to come back. Enjoy every moment spent with your baby and remember her every achievement like first crawl, walk, word or even first potty.
Your baby needs you
Remember that there is no one who could replace you in your baby’s eyes. You are special for your baby, and only you can help your child and give him necessary care.
About the Author: Anna Huse is freelance writer, blogger and young mother who adores her child. After two years of babysitting and tons of house chores, she started blogging about parenting and childcare. Plus her master’s degree in psychology lets her write knowledgeable articles and post them on other websites.