https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:35:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-366047 Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:06:08 +0000 Mrs Checkers 366047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get out of the house. Seriously. I think I was at home with the baby for 3 weeks before I ever went out, and the longer I stayed at home, the more trapped and depressed I felt. Getting out will give you some semblance of feeling normal again and a part of the world.</p> <p>Don't be afraid to ask for help. We all need it!</p> <p>Be careful not to read too much. Information overload can drive you crazy, especially when everything on the internet contradicts each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-365083 Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:49:56 +0000 googly-eyes 365083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jackieomy Good advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-365010 Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:02:04 +0000 Mrs.M57 365010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trust your own instincts! Lots of people will give you opinions on how, what and when you should do things. YOU know what is best for you and your baby, trust yourself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-365007 Sun, 28 Oct 2012 13:53:53 +0000 jackieomy 365007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't use the " right now" to predict your future. For instance, your baby at four weeks won't be the same baby when/if you head back to work at 12 weeks. You'll both have changed by then, and things will be different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364817 Sun, 28 Oct 2012 10:42:00 +0000 boiledpnut 364817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bumping for more advice! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364458 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 22:12:49 +0000 HLK208 364458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't buy into mom guilt--if you need some time to yourself it's perfectly okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364451 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 22:02:26 +0000 cranberryapple 364451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After the first month, we experienced what we thought was the "witching hour" where our baby would just cry and cry for seemingly no reason during the evening around 6PM. Well, I read somewhere that it could be because they were overtired and that young babies can only stay awake for up to 1.5 hours at a time, so knowing that, whenever our LO would get fussy and I would look at the clock, yep, it was nearing 1.5 hours and he was ready for a nap. Knowing that was so eye-opening, and we haven't really had a problem with random evening crying since. It really is like clock-work! At least in our situation. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364379 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 20:23:10 +0000 woodentulip 364379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree--trust your gut. Parenting can be so instinctual. Also, it does suck sometimes--you don't need to pretend that everything is rainbows and butterflies all the time. BUT, you will get the hang of it, and it will get SO much better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364373 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 20:19:17 +0000 mrsjyw 364373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364341 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:57:57 +0000 prettylizy 364341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The best piece of advice I received was to trust my instincts and go with my gut. So many times I had a gut feeling about something that I was cautioned away from, and in every case I was right. You know your baby more and better than anyone else in the world. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364328 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:45:47 +0000 Weagle 364328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The experts have never parented YOUR baby. Relax and trust your instincts. You will all make it out okay :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364321 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:41:40 +0000 mamabolt 364321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first few weeks are all about survival! Do whatever you need to to make sure everyone in the house is as well fed and rested as they can be. As long as those needs are being met, you're doing fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364308 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 19:36:29 +0000 Clementine 364308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Relax and read as much as you can! Once you have your bundle of joy, reading goes out the window esp. when it comes to reading up on useful things like breastfeeding/sleep training etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364217 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 18:31:04 +0000 TubeAlloy 364217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try and get out of the house once a day, even if it's just for a couple of minutes.</p> <p>Apparently, insomnia is quite common in new moms, even when they are exhausted. I wish I had known this at the outset; I would have felt a little less horrified when it happened to me. If it happens to you and goes on for so long that you're worried, talk to a doctor!</p> <p>If you want to breastfeed, great! If you have problems and want to work through them to continue to breastfeed, great! But you don't have to. You aren't poisoning your baby or depriving it of magical immunity to disease or something by formula feeding. Just get the kid fed in whatever way works best for your family.</p> <p>Newborns are cute, but they don't really do much but sleep, eat, look around, and sometimes cry. If that's all your newborn does, it is probably fine.</p> <p>And, while this may be obvious, I wish I would have heard it more early on: Everything is temporary. If your two month old isn't sleeping well, don't assume you are doomed to 18 years of four hours of broken sleep a night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364147 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 17:24:39 +0000 boiledpnut 364147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Seriously, you ladies are awesome. Stupid pregnancy hormones are making me cry over all your advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364138 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 17:03:53 +0000 googly-eyes 364138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am just learning but here's what I've got so far...</p> <p>Books are just guidelines/books. Sometimes they're right, sometimes they're wrong, sometimes they contradict each other.Do what works for you and your family.</p> <p>Take things one day at a time. (This is the one I have the most trouble with!)</p> <p>Don't withdraw! After awhile you may be surprised how much you need adult company. </p> <p>If you feel depressed or having a lot of anxiety, get help, even if it seems you don't want to, aren't convinced you need to, or don't think you have the time to do that. </p> <p>Take care of yourself! Even if you have to let the baby cry a little, as long as (s)he is changed, fed, and healthy, it'll be ok. As the Dr. told me, put your own life mask on before assisting others! Babies cry, it doesn't mean you've failed as a mother!</p> <p>BFing, FFing, EPing, whatever. As long as you feed baby when he or she is hungry it'll be ok!</p> <p>Be careful about which online threads (HB and elsewhere!) you read. Don't read all about worst case scenarios. Don't develop unrealistic expectations whether good or bad ones. Don't feel the weight of ALL of parenting your child in the first month. (I struggle here!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364125 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 16:31:21 +0000 SugarplumsMom 364125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A healthy baby needs a healthy mama to take care of her. Don't sacrifice too much to do everything. You just gave birth - you need and <b>deserve</b> a little TLC. Make sure you are near others who understands this and are capable and willing to step in and help when need be.</p> <p>Try to alternate sleep with your SO by having a plan beforehand! There will be a time when you and your SO will be delirious with exhaustion and your "mama reserve" will kick-in. When this happens, make sure your SO spots you after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364116 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 16:08:35 +0000 lovehoneybee 364116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try to take some time everyday just for you. For me it's taking an hour or so every night to take a bath. I wait until after DS has been fed and is asleep...DH has a bottle if he wakes up hungry. </p> <p>I think it's really important to have a little bit of alone time to just be you. It's super easy to get lost in a new baby, but I think it's very important not to completely lose yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364110 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:58:59 +0000 Kemma 364110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Remember that the baby books aren't written about YOUR baby! Every baby is different, every Mum is different and that's ok! And don't forget that it's a learning process for both you and Baby :-)</p> <p>I also want to add pay it forward. I've had some wonderful support from some wonderful friends and I hope that when I'm in a position to help a new Mum I'll be able to provide support where needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364069 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:02:43 +0000 matador84 364069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sleep when the baby sleeps!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364062 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 14:56:22 +0000 photojane 364062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love this thread. I'm making mental notes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-364003 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 13:12:41 +0000 cyndistar3 364003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>These are all great! If your baby won't stop crying no matter what you do try not to let it get you down, it isn't because you are not doing it right, sometimes babies just cry. I would also add take lots of pictures and cherish the snuggles! Sometimes you should put spending time with your baby before household chores because dishes will wait, the floors will still be there to vacuum but babies grow way to fast to worry about everything else all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363985 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 12:29:01 +0000 hilsy85 363985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If breastfeeding hurts after the first day or two at the hospital, make an appt with a lactation counselor IMMEDIATELY. I wish I had done this, rather than waiting a week--I destroyed my nipples in the meantime :( Also, don't feel bad asking for help from others. SO many people have offered to bring us food and anything else we need, and it's hard for me to say yes because I'm not used to having others do stuff for me that I can usually do myself. But accept the help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363911 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 11:10:24 +0000 Freckles 363911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the beginning, just enjoy the times where they just fall asleep in your arms and you don't have to worry about sleep training and nap schedules. Don't worry about forming bad sleep habits because honestly, you need to do whatever it takes for both you and the baby to sleep in the beginning. Sleep when the baby sleeps. That extra hour or so during the day will help immensely. </p> <p>Talk to your husband about how you want him to be involved/help out before the baby comes. You'll be a lot less emotional, and it's easier to talk about it when you're both not sleep deprived. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363880 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:23:53 +0000 JessiBee 363880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just popping in to say this is an awesome thread. Keep it coming! And thank you HB, as always, for being awesome. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363863 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 09:52:17 +0000 Nskillet 363863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't ever let anyone convince you you're not doing something right because its not their way. Older women especially dish out loads of advice which can come off as super negative.</p> <p>Remember to laugh and don't be ashamed to ask for help or cry or feel angry. Your emotions are going to be insane after the kid comes out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363860 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 09:46:15 +0000 pelikila 363860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trust your instincts. Just because one method was right for someone else, doesn't mean it is right for you. Trust yourself to know what is best for your baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363859 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 09:44:44 +0000 lemondrop 363859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To dress a baby it is easier to put the arms in first, not the legs. It took me a while to figure this out, especially in the early days when you are changing them over and over and over...</p> <p>Our babies love us and will turn out fine even if we don't buy them the latest baby crap, even if we let them cry for a little while, even if we didn't realize they were sitting in a dirty diaper, even if we have them sleep in a crib, bassinet, the big bed, even if we breastfeed, formula feed, bottle feed, whatever you do, you are Mom (or Dad) and they have to love you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363855 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 09:32:05 +0000 loveisstrange 363855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just relax. Everything seems like a HUGE deal and you;ll always be convinced that there is something wrong or that you're doing something wrong. You're not. Your kid is fine. Things are normal. I promise. Don't wrack yourself with guilt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-for-first-time-moms#post-363851 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 09:29:13 +0000 skibobrown 363851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Be kind to yourself. Newborns spend all day long eating, pooping, and crying... and sleeping in small spurts. They are not really interactive at all. It's easy to convince yourself that you're doing things wrong, but if your baby is healthy, you're probably doing everything just fine. Remind yourself of that daily. ...and and soon as you feel comfortable leaving the house, find a local moms' group to join. Having the company of other new moms is very helpful during the early weeks. </p>