The 5 Point New Mom Survival Guide

Are you a new mommy? I am too and here is my 5 point new mom survival guide!

1. Be ready to be an emotional wreck for the first few weeks. In my experience, for a few good months. And according to my mom, for the rest of your life. (I think she’s right). You might like kids before, but you have no idea how overwhelming it is to hold your own child – half you and half your husband –in your arms. Nothing prepares you for the emotional hit your brand new baby gives you. So keep the tissues handy!

 

2. Babies cry. Accept it.

 

3. Breast feeding is not as easy as it sounds. Either the baby won’t suckle, or won’t latch properly. Either the lactation will be very  little or you’ll lactate enough to wet your new breast pads (smart purchase, this!) and then your tee shirt shows huge embarrassing patches. The baby needs to be fed often and your back begs for mercy. Your nipples get sore and breast pumps become your constant companion. What did I tell you? Not. Easy.

 

4. Don’t compare. Every child is different, even as infants. Yours might sleep less than your friend’s and pee more than your neighbour’s but as long as she’s healthy, there’s no need to compare notes and panic. Babies are little people with different and very distinct personalities. Some sleep better and some eat better, some might crawl early and some might talk late. Relax. Enjoy every new day with your new born, everything will happen in due time.

 

5. Ignoring most of the advice is a good idea. Really. Because people will drown you in unwanted, bizarre and lame advice about the baby. ‘Don’t wake the child for feed! Let her sleep peacefully.’ ‘Wake the child for feed! How else will she sleep?’’Diapers are unhealthy!’ ‘Cough syrups are evil!’ ‘No water for the baby? Your doctor is crazy!’Good Lord.  Just trust your doctor and I’d say your parents because they did it right with you, right?

Aditi Mathur was born on Feb the 14^th and since then it has all been awkward for her. A strong believer of “Whatever!”, an ex-advertising girl, a once-upon-a-time blogger, an out-of-place Army Wife and a real-life social person, she has now given up everything for her adorable almost-six-months old daughter Gauri (Um, also for Twitter, actually). Stalk her at at http://damonologue.blogspot.com or  @adicrazy on Twitter. Or Not. Whatever.