https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 22 May 2026 15:05:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1924261 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 12:22:38 +0000 SleepyMonkey 1924261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the words of Elsa, let it go.</p> <p>Meaning that if you are a control freak, let that go. You will have no control over your life and baby for a few months and the faster you accept that, the happier you will be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1924119 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:09:07 +0000 Mrs. J 1924119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sleep when the baby sleeps. The dishes will get done eventually. So will the laundry. Just sleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1924112 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:02:11 +0000 looch 1924112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It gets different...every age has challenges and joys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923968 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:49:21 +0000 snowjewelz 1923968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love all the advice! Saving this for when LO comes in t-minus 6 weeks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923918 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:18:59 +0000 jedeve 1923918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: my pediatrician told me that at six weeks you will feel like you can't go on, but by eight weeks they start sleeping a lite better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923909 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:16:20 +0000 MrsKoala 1923909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It gets better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923907 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:15:11 +0000 Mamasig 1923907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BeachMama: Yes! Every baby is totally different and some don't go by the "rules." Guess what - every baby doesn't need to be swaddled, or eat every 3 hours, or sleep a lot. Don't try to compare your baby to others. </p> <p>And everything is just a phase and will pass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923795 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:27:39 +0000 JMOM 1923795@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that you should just let go of the expectations you have for your child. When I was pregnant, I had unrealistic ideas about what having a baby would be like. I went through a rude awakening when I had a non-cuddly, hated napping, colicky baby. It led to a lot of confusion, frustration, irritation and (frankly) depression on my part. If I would have been able to realize that it wasn't going to be like I expected, I could have dealt with it better.<br /> Also, 2 complete sets of sheet in the crib was a life saver. When they blew out in the middle of the night, I could strip off the first set of sheets and not have to re-make a bed at 3 a.m. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923739 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:05:50 +0000 Mamaof2 1923739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trust your gut.</p> <p>Say "for now" at the end of every sentence.</p> <p>The baby is screaming.... for now<br /> The baby wont sleep.... for now<br /> Teething sucks... for now</p> <p>Remember nothing lasts forever - its here "for now" but will soon end! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923713 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 07:43:11 +0000 sweetooth 1923713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Zippers. I could not have survived those first months without the outfits that had zippers. And wee pads on top of the changing pad. With as many blowouts and messes that we had, all we had to do was throw away the wee pad, replace it with a new one, and put off laundry that much longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923710 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 07:40:09 +0000 LBee 1923710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tanjowen: Love this advice! </p> <p>I'm going to go a little off the beaten path, but my advice is to not lose sight of caring for yourself or your marriage. I've noticed that when I start doing that, being a mom is so much harder. Also, take help when it's offered. If someone wants to come hold your baby for an hour, take it!! It's amazing what a 15 minute shower (with no screaming baby and all to yourself) can do in those early days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923706 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 07:33:59 +0000 Tanjowen 1923706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your baby can sleep in a swing/(insert anything other than crib) for a long time, and I promise it's fine. One day they will sleep in their crib, but do whatever it takes until that time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923665 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 06:59:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 1923665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everything is a phase. </p> <p>Listen to advice until it makes you doubt yourself, then shut out the advice and trust your instincts. </p> <p>**Bouncing on a big exercise ball. I spent so many hours bouncing ( pretty vigorously) on the big exercise ball holding my colicky baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923640 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 06:42:05 +0000 Orchid 1923640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't beat yourself up if you do things differently than you planned! Can't get into the cloth diapers, it's ok. Can't get some fresh air and sunshine everyday, it's ok. Watching tv while nursing, it's ok. It really is ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923635 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 06:24:00 +0000 abbydabbydoodlebug 1923635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just survive. Just survive the first 8-12 weeks and it gets so much better from that point on. Do whatever you have to do, don't worry about "bad habits" and JUST SURVIVE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923628 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 05:59:00 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1923628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: yes! I found this on accident when C was going through her colic (before her reflux was under control) and about the time when she was going through the growth spurt that @Mrs. High Heels: was talking about. </p> <p>My advice is to use white noise from the beginning - it's so soothing to them and makes your life so much easier when getting them to sleep. I used to run the exhaust fan, the water faucet and the hair dryer while getting C to sleep. Crazy, but she loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923625 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 05:55:06 +0000 avivoca 1923625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wear the baby. Some babies want to be held 24/7, and wearing them meets this need while allowing you to do other things that require two hands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923589 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:27:15 +0000 rachiecakes 1923589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BeachMama: @loveisstrange: yes!</p> <p>Listen to your instincts and relax! Every baby is different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923585 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 04:06:41 +0000 mediagirl 1923585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man. Congratulations to them!! When you can't get your baby to stop crying and you've tried everything else, hold her close to your body, like a baby, and swing your body left to right. Not gently. It can be quite soothing to the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923579 Fri, 31 Oct 2014 03:53:55 +0000 wonderstruck 1923579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: Yes to growth spurts! Even as a second-time mom, a few days ago I was having a major meltdown because I just felt like LO was eating constantly - I couldn't keep up with him, I couldn't get him to sleep, I was freaking exhausted and baffled...and then a few days later as we came out of it I was like, "Oh, duh! Growth spurt!" The sleep deprived fog makes it hard to think rationally about things.</p> <p>This isn't really a piece of advice, but I think letting your friends know you're there if they are having a tough time can be a huge help. It can be so hard to admit it and ask for help when you're struggling with the tough newborn stuff, and it's easier if you know there's non-judgemental people you can turn to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923516 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:59:22 +0000 coopsmama 1923516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@loveisstrange: This!! I was such a ball of nerves with my first LO and the stress really affected both of us.</p> <p>I've been so much more go with the flow this time around and it's been so much better. My advice would be to just go with the flow and relax. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923508 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:53:17 +0000 Skadi 1923508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Put your baby on a schedule as early as possible. I really feel it helped reduce a lot of potential anxiety on our end and LO thrived on the consistent routine. It also meant we anticipated her needs rather than waiting for her to tell us something was wrong by freaking out, eg we fed her before she showed signs of hunger according to the schedule and put her to bed before she showed signs of sleepiness, etc. I thought using a schedule might be hard and we wee open to ditching it if need be, but I was surprised at just how natural it was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923503 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:49:19 +0000 loveisstrange 1923503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just calm the eff down. Really.... just calm down. Its not as big of a deal as you think it is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923493 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:30:33 +0000 BeachMama 1923493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My advice is to not listen to too much advice :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923470 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:13:32 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1923470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: I wish someone had told me that too as a first time mom. I remember that period as clear as day. I can relate to everything you wrote! I'm so glad you made it through and are doing much better now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923467 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:10:58 +0000 chibee 1923467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: this growth spurt, which i just went through only a month ago, actually was my breaking point. i cried for hours and thought i made a huge mistake having a baby and felt not fit to be a mother. i was already struggling with how exhausting BF was and not getting any sleep at night so i could not believe things could actually get worse! but right after that growth spurt was over, he started sleeping longer stretches (consistently 7-9 hours now from being up every 2-3 hours), grew into somewhat of a routine, and started being so much more social, which makes everything so much more rewarding. </p> <p>as a brand new first time mom myself (10 weeks in) i wish someone had warned me about this growth spurt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923465 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:09:21 +0000 ScarletBegonia 1923465@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can swaddle babies REALLY tight and most of them love it!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923456 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:02:56 +0000 mlm2934 1923456@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: yes yes yes. buckle down around 7 weeks and things will be looking up soon! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923452 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:57:43 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1923452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a major growth spurt around 6-7 weeks. I feel like that's the breaking point period for a lot of mom's - you've been in this crazy newborn cycle for over a month now, the adrenaline is gone, the sleep deprivation is all-consuming... then 6-7 weeks hit and bam, you want to just give up. The baby seems to want to eat endlessly, isn't sleeping, you question what the heck you're doing wrong. It is nice to know it is a phase, and that at the end of the 6-7 weeks things usually start looking up!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-friend-just-had-a-baby-what-one-piece-of-advice-would-you-give-a-brand-new-first-time-parent#post-1923450 Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:55:14 +0000 Mae 1923450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nothing lasts, good or bad. I can't count the number of times I got to the "omg this cannot go on" point and then two days later the problem was solved. A new problem had sprung up in its place of course! But I don't feel like any of the big issues lasted more than a week or two. The reverse is also true. Just when something gets awesome, it changes too haha. </p>