Over 3.5 million babies are born each year in the United States. Raising a baby isn’t a walk in the park. It takes blood, sweat, and tears to shape your child into the person they’ll become.
First time parents can’t fully prepare for the reality of raising a child, so it can easily feel too much once the baby is here. This is why parenting tips and tricks, exist to make your life easier.
So, keep reading for the five baby tips all new parents should know about.
- Ask For Help
The proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”, exists for a reason. Raising a baby isn’t easy, there will be days when you’re at your wit’s end and can’t see a way out of the darkness. You’ll be sleep deprived and snap easily.
This doesn’t make you a bad parent! You need to learn how to ask for help. Leaning on your support structure won’t make you weak or damage your bond with your child. In fact, you’ll bond better with your baby if you aren’t tired and overworked.
If you don’t have friends or family in the area you can ask for help, then there are services you can consider. You don’t need to leave your baby with a stranger, you can hire someone to look after them while you do some of the chores that have piled up. Once you’ve gotten to know them you can consider taking a nap or going out for a few hours while they watch your baby.
- The Bag Matters
When it comes to diaper bags, the outside matters just as much as what you put inside them. Your diaper bag will be the only thing keeping you sane when you first start leaving the house as a new parent. So you need something that won’t let you down in an emergency.
Picking the perfect diaper bag comes down to space and how easy it is to clean. Everything else is nice to have, but if your diaper bag can’t fit all your necessities you won’t use it.
When picking a diaper bag you also need to consider how it will fit in your stroller. Brands like UPPAbaby CRUZ have various accessories you can add to your stroller to make your life easier.
Remember, your diaper bag needs to be a miniature version of your home. You need all the basic tools you use when changing, feeding, or entertaining your child in easy reach. This doesn’t mean you need to haul hundreds of items with you, but it’s important to keep the necessities at hand.
Some common things you need to be able to fit in your diaper bag include the following:
- Diapers for every two hours you’ll be away
- Wipes
- Diaper rash cream
- Changing pad
- Hand sanitizer
- Nursing cover
- Burp cloths
- Bottles and feeding supplies
- Pacifier
- Burp cloths Bottles and infant formula
- Waterproof bags for wet or soiled clothing or a dirty burp cloth
- Change of clothes
- Nursing pads
As long as you have the essentials you’ll be fine. If you have some space left in your bag, you can consider adding some of these items to make your life easier:
- A blanket
- Extra layering
- Sunscreen
- A hat
- Toys
- Bandages
- All Babies Cry
Being a parent is a glorious experience filled with love and adventure, but it’s rare to meet a parent who hasn’t experienced anxiety and self-doubt. When. your baby cries more than expected, or if they have colic, it’s easy to think it’s because you’re a bad parent.
The more your baby cries and fusses, the harder it will be to ensure all your own needs are met. Once all the sleepless nights start piling up and your frustration levels rise, it’s common for new parents to wonder if their own mindset is causing some of your baby’s tears.
While babies are sensitive to emotions, your baby doesn’t cringe because of you! They aren’t mad at you or the world, they just need a few more months of womb-like comfort. They need to feel safe and secure, so as long as you’re doing your best, your baby will be fine.
When things get rough, just remember, all babies cry.
- Always Wash Your Hands
For the first few months of your baby’s life you, and any visitors, need to wash your hands. Babies don’t have a strong immune system yet, so they’re extremely vulnerable to infections and viruses. Everyone who will be handling your baby needs to wash their hands before they pick them up.
After a few months, you can let up a bit on the hand washing rule, but for the first few years, you should prioritize cleanliness as it takes a few years for their immune system to catch up.
If you or a family member smokes, you should also make sure they properly clean their hands and wait at least 20 minutes after smoking to pick up your child. Toxins from cigarettes stay on their breath, skin, and clothing after smoking, so it’s better to be safe.
Essential Baby Tips Every New Parent Needs to Know
When it comes to raising a baby there aren’t enough tips and tricks in the world. Every piece of information helps you navigate having a baby and helps you build your own parenting style. Most baby tips are altered to fit each person’s needs, so don’t be afraid to experiment to see what works for you.
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