PRACTICAL TIPS FOR NEW PARENTING 

Written by Liza John  

Confused? Clueless? Happy one moment, totally helpless at the next? Well, all parents have been there, and can certainly relate to what is happening in your life right now as a new parent.  

You went through pregnancy, labour, and delivery, and now you think to yourself the hardest part of the journey is over. Except, it’s not. You get back home from the hospital, you feel like you have no clue about what’s going on, or what you’re doing!  

As a new parent, it is completely normal for you to feel overwhelmed and confused. Here we have compiled some tips as given by parenting experts and experienced parents to help even the most anxious and nervous parents feel confident.  

Trust Your Gut 

No, family is the same, so obviously you will come across conflicting information on the web. You know what works the best for your family. So, learn both the sides and then trust yourself to make the right decision by following your gut. The goal is to not feel guilty or be remorseful about any decisions you’ve taken. 

You’re going to have those days when you feel like you totally rock, and then there are those where you feel like a total newbie. But here’s the deal, trust in yourself and stick to the basics, and you’ll do just fine. You might automatically think that once you have a baby, you should be a baby care expert. But truth is you’re far from it, I mean we all were and that’s okay. As a parent, you learn something new every day. Be kind to yourself.  

Sleep When Baby Sleeps 

Babies are a ton of work, especially when they are awake. Always take the opportunity to sleep when they are sleeping. Think you can have a nap when they are awake? Amidst their hollering and endless tantrums? Think again. Never pass up an opportunity to get some shuteye when they sleep. 

You might be tempted to stay up to watch “just one last episode” of your favourite show, but we know how that’s going to end. You still must wake up the next day and grind through it, despite being sleep-deprived because you chose to stay up late and then woke up three times in six hours. So, get rid of this misery by sleeping enough and being disciplined about it. 

Handling A Newborn 

If you haven’t previously handled newborns, you may be scared or intimidated by their fragility. Here is everything you need to know about handling a newborn. 

Wash your hands: Your newborn’s immune system is still not strong, leaving them at a higher risk of infections, so wash your hands well before handling them.  

Support the neck and head: Support the head when carrying or holding the baby upright or laying them down. 

Do not shake your newborn: Whether playfully or in an attempt to calm them down, never shake your newborn. Shaking may lead to internal bleeding in their fragile bodies, so refrain from it.  

Waking them up: Gently blow on their cheeks or tickle their feet to wake them up. 

Bonding 

For a newborn, physical closeness helps in promoting an emotional connection. This connection further contributes to their emotional and physical development. Unconditional love from parents lead to healthier, happier, and more confident children.  

Cradling and giving them gentle massages can be a good way to pave the way to a good bond. Skin-to-skin contact forms an essential part of this connection with your newborn, so take up such opportunities by holding your baby against your skin while cradling or feeding. 

Accept Help 

Babies are little bundles of joy that requires you to toil away all day every day. Taking care of any baby is no easy task. All babies need time, effort, love, and energy. So, when someone you trust offers to help, take it. 

Accepting help is not a sign of weakness. You also need to recover and need some you time. So, when help is offered, take it without hesitation. 

Take Care Of Each Other 

You and your spouse, or co-parent, have embarked on a new journey in your lives. While you are busy taking care of the baby, do not forget to take care of each other. Both of you require emotional support during this period. So be there for each other and help each other out. Go out on walks or do stuff together when a family member or friend has dropped in to visit.  

Final Thoughts 

Don’t forget to have fun! Your busy days taking care of your baby will fly. Get pictures and videos even if nothing special is happening. You’ll cherish these later on.  

Don’t take life too seriously, stay open to humour and laugh when funny things happen. Often, all the stress from taking care of the baby leaves your emotions mixed up, and you may forget to laugh.