Here are some practical tips for new and experienced mothers to explore so they can feel confident, relaxed and happy raising their kids.
Whether you’re new to the mom game, or consider yourself a seasoned expert, motherhood is full of twists and turns.
You can try to predict as much as you can, and plan your heart out, but at the end of the day not everything will go how you expect.
Bouncing back to your life after having a baby isn’t easy like the movies. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 8 women who give birth.
The period after having a baby will bring a whirlwind of emotions to mothers.
You may experience feelings of anxiety, extreme highs and lows, confusion, self-doubt, and fear of your new role. As a mother, you must take care of yourself in order to care for your new baby, any other children, and your family.
It’s important to recognize when you’re feeling withdrawn, when to ask for help, and understand there are resources to help you regain strength and feel like yourself again.
Having a baby is an invigorating time in your life. It will bring along many beautiful changes as you welcome a new member into your family. You’ll have nine months to prepare mentally and physically for your little one.
It’s important to utilize this time to build as much support for yourself as possible, and get ready to take on this new responsibility. Even if this is your fifth kid, it never hurts to put plans in motion to make your delivery and newborn process smooth and stress-free.
I’m sharing these tips for mothers with you because I’m a bestselling wellness author with about 2 million books sold globally.
I, too, have been the sleep-deprived, delirious new mother. I want to share my knowledge to help moms no matter what stage of motherhood they’re in.
Keep reading for a handful of different tips and tricks to help both experienced and newbie moms be victorious.
Whether you’re having your first child or your fifth, once the baby comes, you’ll want to focus all of your time and energy on taking care of your new little one. It’s wise to get ahead of the game and map out your finances for when the baby comes. By doing so, you’re less likely to spend your precious time and energy worrying about bills and affording baby-related costs because it’ll already be planned out.
The nine months leading up to your delivery are perfect for getting on top of your finances. This period of time is when you’ll be getting the nursery ready, planning a baby shower or gender reveal, and getting your assets in order for your maternity leave. Having a separate budget for these events can help you avoid overspending and not having enough financial support when the baby arrives.
If you buy a new home for your family or refinance to a 30-year fixed mortgage, you’ll be able to lower your monthly payments, which will free up room in your budget for other expenses! With the extra money you’ll have each month, you can put more savings into your children’s college funds, your retirement fund, or fund your child’s extracurriculars. You can even pay more on your mortgage monthly, and successfully pay off your mortgage before 30 years is even up. Your interest rate will never rise, so you’ll have a consistent monthly payment, making this a smart move for moms looking to save and provide for their children to the fullest on a budget.
On top of planning the fun parts, you’ll want to make your life easier by eliminating any extra stressors ahead of time. Life is unexpected, and emergencies can pop up like a broken furnace, car repairs, or medical issues that will take a big hit to your wallet. By setting money aside, budgeting, and planning ahead for expenses you know you have, you’re coming up with solutions ahead of time. This way, your postpartum experience won’t be made more difficult by things going awry.
As a new parent, especially if you have a few children, it’s in your best interest to invest in a top-notch baby monitor. This will help put your mind at ease by having access to your baby wherever you are. You can see them sleeping or moving and hear if they’re crying or making noises. You can opt for features that’ll monitor the baby’s breathing, change the room temperature, and connect it to your smartphone. Some high-tech monitors even send notifications to alert when a baby has made a move or sound.
Moving into 2023, it’s rare you find a home, business, or property that isn’t protected by a security system, or at least some kind of surveillance. Now that you’re bringing a new little one into your life and home, maybe this is the year you’ll splurge and upgrade your home’s security. Making this investment will help protect your family and home, reduce the chances of a home invasion, and ultimately bring you peace of mind. Depending on the brand and features, it’ll be easy to find and install a good security system without breaking the bank.
One popular security installment you see these days are cameras. You can have these installed outside your home above your garage, your front porch, over your back door, really wherever you desire. They’ve become increasingly discreet and smaller over the years, so it won’t look too obvious. Ring doorbells are also very popular for viewing who is at your door and talking to them! You can also track any movement in your yard and the surrounding neighborhood, so you can always be alert to things going on.
For you moms who have or are planning on having another kid… Don’t be ashamed to have a baby sprinkle! In recent years, there’s been a lot of controversy over whether it’s appropriate to have a baby shower if it’s your second, third, or fourth kid. Some people say it’s selfish to ask people to buy new things for your baby. However, just as any celebration, a baby sprinkle is a chance to shower the mother and baby with special love.
The expectations for a second baby shower are definitely lower, with less pressure. It’s mainly a great opportunity to get your loved ones together to celebrate you and your children.
Many moms-to-be make the shower kid-friendly, so their fellow mom friends can bring their kiddos along and play with your older ones. Set the registry aside, and allow guests to gift you whatever they feel. Good gifts for a baby sprinkle are things that you’ll need this time around, such as if you have three boys and are pregnant with a girl, maybe some clothes that are more frilly and pink rather than monster trucks. As always, new moms will be in need of the staple items like diapers, wipes, and grocery or Amazon gift cards.
Just because you’ve already had a shower for your first doesn’t mean your new little one doesn’t deserve to be showered too. It takes a village to raise a child.
You’ll have to come to terms with the fact that your life will be changing now that you have a small version of yourself to take care of. If this is your first child, making this adjustment can be difficult. Your routine, sleep schedule, body, and emotions will all be changing. It’s important to get back to doing things you enjoy, making time for momma, and making healthy choices to fuel you before you can be there for the baby.
One of the difficulties of postpartum that most women struggle with is how your body changes. It can be a hard journey losing pregnancy weight for many women. It deeply affects a mother’s self-esteem, confidence, and perception of themselves. During this period after giving birth, it’s essential to reconnect with yourself and learn how to be happy in your body, even though it may look different than before. Social media is notorious for pitting moms against each other, with the goal of comparing yourself to unrealistic expectations. This is something you should try to stray away from, to minimize self-conscious thoughts.
Your body will be changing drastically the first 6 weeks after birth. You can’t expect to bounce back right away, so it’s important not to be hard on yourself. The best way to get back to feeling confident in yourself again is through consistent exercise. Start showing up for yourself everyday by getting into a routine of exercise, eating healthy, and positive self-talk. Not only will this help you get back into shape, but will give you some me-time every day to focus on yourself, instead of caring for others.
Hopefully, with the help of these tips, you’ll be able to organize your life physically and mentally, to prepare for your new baby. Whether this is your first kid, or one of many, you’re setting yourself up for success by preparing throughout the nine months. You’ll thank yourself when you’re enjoying time with your newborn stress-free!
Overcome your fears and take the reins of motherhood. You’ve got this!
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