Saturday, February 19, 2011

Advice to a new mother.


As one of the newest mommies on the block, I certainly don't claim to know everything about motherhood.... but I do know I love it!
I prepared extensively for labor and birth by reading books, taking a Bradley Method class, and learning everything I could about every possible medical intervention or emergency that could take place. It was the afterward part that I neglected to prepare for. And that was dumb. But I'm learning as I go.... and I would love to share some advice with you new and soon to be mommies!

1. Trust your instincts. You might not think you know what you're doing, but I promise you do. You may be nervous because you've never been a mom, but your child has never been an infant either-- you will figure it out together.

2. You need less than you think. Hold off buying anything but the essentials until a few weeks after your baby is born. You will be surprised at how little you really need to take care of a newborn.

3. Skip the "overnight" maxi pads and just get a pack of Depends. Post-partum bleeding can be really bad. (I wish someone had told me what to expect.)

4. Take lots of pictures and write down all of their milestones. I am sure your child will love to see them someday. (I'm thinking of having each year made into a book.)

5. Expect that it will hurt, expect that it will be hard, and expect that you can do it. You're a woman, after all. You were made for this!

6. Cherish those first few days. They are magic.

- this blog post was an email I wrote to my dear friend Amy. she welcomed her precious baby girl Eleanor on thursday feb. 17th