The first 3 months of a newborn is often the best time.
But, it's also the most difficult for moms.
For my part, I was sometimes too confident or completely at a loss.
Taking care of a newborn is not an easy task.
And if I had known these 12 things, I think it would have been a little easier.
Here are the 12 tips every mom should know to survive the first 3 months :
We discovered REAL white noise! And it was a revelation for us. Who knew babies LOVED a sound that went "shhhhhhhhhhh " ?
Apparently, the womb is a noisy universe and the outside world we live in is much quieter.
And most babies don't like that. They miss the sound of the womb, hence the value of using white noise.
Our baby could be crying very loudly and within a minute of us turning on the white noise, he would stop dead.
And after a few minutes, he could even be sleeping.
You can produce white noise with a sound conditioner. Plug in the machine and turn it on to see the results.
Here is the one we have at home. We placed ours on the wall shelf that is on the opposite wall of her crib.
Seriously, this stuff changed our life.
To discover: A Pediatrician's Miracle Trick To Calm A Crying Baby In 30 Seconds.
I thought babies took naps automatically when they were tired. This would mean in theory that, during the first weeks, they sleep almost constantly.
If you have a baby like that, who sleeps all the time, consider yourself very lucky!
Ours was not like that at all! On the contrary, she was still awake!
It was like that for the whole first month. Then I realized that I had to offer him to take naps.
So I paid attention to her mood and found that an hour after she woke up, she was yawning.
It was for me the signal that it was necessary to put it in "nap" mode.
Sometimes I cradled her in my arms, sometimes I sang her a song.
And, other times, I would swaddle her, turn on the white noise, and put her in her crib.
When I did it at the right time, she fell asleep almost immediately.
That's how she became a good SLEEPER. At about 2 months, she naps about 4 times a day for at least 1 hour and sleeps 10 hours a night.
This method allowed me to find his rhythm instead of imposing those that I had found in the books. As a result, things went really well!
To discover:What time should your child go to bed? The Practical Guide ACCORDING TO YOUR AGE.
Several friends have told me that their babies don't like being swaddled. It may happen with some babies.
But try it for a while and you will see if your baby likes this method. If he likes it, then he'll want more.
Why ? Because gradually, the swaddling will become a landmark for the baby. He will understand that it is time to sleep. In addition, swaddling reassures your baby and soothes him, which helps him fall asleep.
There are 2 key elements to a good swaddle. The right language and the right technique. I recommend these from the Aden + Anais brand. I love them ! It's true that they are not cheap, but they are worth it.
And regarding the swaddling technique, I found this YouTube video from enfant.com which explains how to do it:
I was lucky. My parents and in-laws took turns with us for the first few weeks.
What was great was that besides helping us with the baby, they were also willing to help us with everything else.
As a result, I didn't need to worry about anything and could really enjoy my nights when our baby was sleeping.
They washed clothes, cooked dinners, did the dishes, the housework and even the shopping. It was really great!
I could give 100% of my time to our newborn, because I didn't need to worry about anything else.
I also advise you to try to find a friend, or a friend of a friend or a person in a support group...
A person who, like you, has a newborn baby in their arms.
Why ? Because the text messages sent in the middle of the night and the questions like "is this normal?" are invaluable for your mental health.
I take this opportunity to thank Sophie for helping me so much during this period :-)
To discover:17 Photos That Show the Real Life of Parents! Because Being Parents Isn't Easy Every Day...
In the beginning, I often found myself in the middle of the night on the Internet doing hundreds of searches like:
"when do babies start to sleep at night?", "how many diapers a day?", "how long do they sleep on average per day?", "do you sometimes have to leave your baby scream?", etc.
I ended up with answers from forums, where moms said "my baby came back from the hospital and he sleeps all night without worry"...
Or "my baby changes his diapers on his own...".
Dear new parents, know that all babies are different. It's best to do what works BEST for you.
As a mother, you have a maternal instinct. Trust that instinct.
There is not just one way to be a good mother, there are many different ways.
And now that you've stopped comparing your baby to others, don't compare yourself to other moms either. It's not worth it and it's bad for your psychic well-being.
To discover: Mom Shows What It's Really Like To Have Kids With 25 Real-Life Drawings.
Chances are your husband doesn't have much experience with babies.
It is therefore unlikely that he will take the initiative with your newborn. Yes, it's always a little scary at first!
Remember that his instincts may not come as naturally to him as they do to you.
But, on the other hand, he is surely ready to help you on a daily basis. Just ask her nicely.
For example, my husband had become the master of diaper changing. He also made himself very available to bring me things when I was taking care of the baby.
And he was good at getting our baby to sleep quickly.
I think that sometimes some dads don't necessarily know what to do, so don't hesitate to ask them :-)
To discover: 22 Life Changing Tips Every Parent Should Know.
Newborns go to the toilet often. In a house with 1 or 2 floors, it is very practical to also have a changing table downstairs.
This allows you to change the baby's diaper quickly without having to climb one or two floors each time.
And, while we're on the subject, if your baby only has 1 big dripping poo a day that gets everywhere, consider yourself very lucky!
Even with the most expensive diapers, it will happen! And another thing I'm thinking of...
You don't need to change a wet diaper as soon as the urine indicator turns blue.
It's a good marketing strategy to make us believe that we need a new diaper at 0.30 € each.
But I promise you, you don't need to change it right away. You will quickly realize when the diaper is full enough and needs to be changed. I promise!
I also advise you to try washable diapers, which are much more economical in the long term.
To discover: Pampers Diapers Accused of Containing CARCINOGENS.
Someone told me that if you can hold it for the first 6 weeks, you'll get there.
I know it's not for everyone. But I really wanted to breastfeed my baby.
Pure organic milk, right? The truth is, it can hurt at first. If this is the case, it is because the baby's position for breastfeeding is not optimal.
Consult a specialist very quickly who will help you find the right gestures and make the pain disappear.
To discover: The Natural Remedy For Nipple Sore From Breastfeeding.
And while we're on the subject of breastfeeding, I urge you to have a breast pump.
It really helps when you have problems with breast engorgement, which you may have at one time or another.
A breast pump also allows you to keep the precious liquid, if you want to leave your baby for a few hours with someone.
I know you don't feel like it now, but maybe one day.
I have used this breast pump and have never had any complaints.
Yes, of course, they are adorable in their little clothes. But those clothes will be covered in stains and poop in less than 5 min.
I know it's hard to hear, but it's the truth!
And frankly, it's okay if your baby spends their first 3 months in their pajamas.
Also remember not to wash all the clothes you bought from 0 to 6 months right away.
Why ? Because chances are your baby won't use them all.
And if you still have the receipt, you can surely exchange them for a larger size!
In any case, take a look at leboncoin to find cheap clothes or, better, give other parents the ones you no longer use.
To discover: Poop Stains on Baby Clothes:How to Remove Them EASILY.
But you can do it! First, make your first getaway short.
For example, go to the supermarket and just buy yogurt.
Secure your baby in the car seat and turn on the white noise to keep him calm.
Another advice I can give you is to use a belly carrier or a sling to carry your baby when you walk through the supermarket shelves.
For me, it was much easier to calm my baby when she was clinging to my chest.
A few small swings proved to be very effective!
Once you've made a few trips to the supermarket, you'll find it's not that hard.
And that if your baby starts crying, you can easily calm him down.
Take lots of photos! Always keep a camera close to you, even if it's your iPhone or Android.
You can always erase the ones you don't like, but you can never go back to take pictures of those precious moments.
Me, I used to take at least 1 photo of our baby a day. After 1 year, I put them in a photo album. I love it and I'm not the only one!
Also try to be in the photos otherwise you may not remember these precious moments a few years later.
To discover: 24 Super Easy Tips To Take Photos Like A PRO (Without Breaking The Bank).
When you're out of shape, take a step back, take a deep breath, and think hard that you'll be fine.
If baby can't stop crying, at least he's breathing! If you need to put baby in the crib to catch your breath, that's completely normal.
Keep some granola bars and water handy when breastfeeding baby.
It's normal not to accept a visit from a friend at home, if you are tired.
If baby wakes up in the middle of a nap, don't go see him right away. Wait a few minutes, because chances are he will go back to sleep on his own like a grown-up.
Watch your baby sleep! You will see it is very soothing. If your baby is restless, try using a belly carrier, as they love being close to you.
To discover: 31 New Tips That Will Make Parenting Life Easier. Especially #19!
Either way, I really think there are some things you can't know until you experience them for yourself.
Never forget that, even if it is sometimes difficult, it is an incredible and unforgettable experience.
All the sleepless nights, all the tears you'll share with your baby, all the diapers that burst or spilled on the floor...
And all the stains on clothes it will make are worth it.
Because having a newborn is certainly the most beautiful thing in the world!
Of course, all babies are different and what worked for me might not work for everyone. So take my advice with caution.
Last thing, I'm no expert. So do not hesitate to do some research and seek advice from specialists to take good care of your precious little one!
