X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping

12 truths and tips for first time moms

5 min read
12 truths and tips for first time moms12 truths and tips for first time moms

Don’t let the demands of motherhood get you down. Consider these truths and tips for first time moms to have more joyful, less-stressful moments with your baby.

Motherhood and raising a child do not come with a manual.   But you can relish the ride more and make it less bumpy if you keep in mind these truths and tips for first time moms.

1. Motherhood is not a competition.  It’s not a contest to see who looks best in night clothes with only three hours of sleep in two days, or whose baby cries less or crawls faster. Resist comparing your child to your neighbor’s and yourself to another mom. Each of you is on a unique journey.

Also, ignore big time “toxic” people like that maddening mom who keeps bragging about her baby’s feats and how she can cook, clean the house, and burp the baby all at the same time.

2. You are not bad or doomed if you don’t breastfeed.  This is probably one of the best tips for first time moms ever given. What’s important is that you are giving your baby the best that you can. If breastfeeding doesn’t work, there’s always formula.

tips for first time moms

Always have extra clothes and diapers on-hand when travelling with a baby or a toddler.

3. Extras are essential.  Spills, spits, splatters, leaks, and other startling and surprising occurrences are a given when you move around with an infant.

So, always have extra diapers, extra wipes, extra clothes, extra water, extra milk, extra toys, and extra doses of patience on hand especially when traveling.

4. Advice is good but you don’t always have to accept it no matter how sincere, well-meaning, and close to you the giver is. Keep an open mind but don’t feel obligated to agree or follow, especially if an advice is unsolicited and adds to the confusion.

5. It’s okay to say no to invites, requests, and other activities that will wreak havoc on your baby’s schedule and make you even more worn out than you already are.

But do say yes to offers of help and babysitting even if only for a few minutes. A break from the baby every now and then is beneficial especially if you look after your child 24/7.

6. You are not clueless.  It may seem so at times and certain situations may overwhelm or befuddle you (Why is my baby’s poop green? Why is there no milk coming out? Why is my baby crying again??!!), but other moms have gone through these as well.

You have instincts and you love your child and want the best for him. These will guide you in making sensible decisions.

tips for first time moms

As fun as being a mom is, sometimes it can be exhausting. Go ahead and cry out your frustrations.

7. It’s okay to cry.  We are all human and crying can be cathartic. Just don’t do it every day and no wallowing in self-pity. Make sure that you never take out your weariness and frustration on your child either. You will snap out of that blue funk soon.

8. “Selfies” are not allowed.  “Selfies” here mean self-diagnosis and self-medication. If your child is behaving oddly, is ill, won’t feed, or is in distress, bring him to the doctor without delay. Same goes for you if you’re not feeling well. And please, if you truly value your health and your baby’s, do as the doctor says.

tips for first time moms

Stressed out? Ask your husband for help.

9. Involve hubby in diaper duty and other baby-related endeavors.  This will give you more time to rest and sleep while allowing dad and child to bond and get to know each other. In addition, you can hire a nanny or a part-time maid to assist you in household chores and other tiring tasks.

10. Be kind to yourself.  “To survive and thrive as a Mom, you will need to be very, very kind to yourself,” says Amy Tiemann, Ph.D. in her book Mojo Mom (Nurturing Your Self While Raising a Family).

Like your baby, you deserve some TLC. Have an occasional massage. Allot time for exercise, reading, and other leisurely pursuits. Reconnect with friends or former office mates. These activities will keep you invigorated and will restore your sanity amid the chaos and changes of motherhood.

11. Enjoy your baby and being a mom.  Children are only young once so spend and savor as much time with your son or daughter as you can. Take pictures and videos to preserve these precious moments.

Do not be a worrywart who overanalyzes every move and blames herself pointlessly. Parenting is not a perfect art.

12. You will become a better and wiser person, thanks to all your mommy escapades and misadventures.

What other tips for first time moms would you like to share?

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
Parents, here's what you should do when your child sees you and your spouse fighting
Parents, here's what you should do when your child sees you and your spouse fighting
#SendLoveWithBebeBata
#SendLoveWithBebeBata
13 Must-haves for Your Online Baby Checkout Checklist
13 Must-haves for Your Online Baby Checkout Checklist
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove
This Mommy Welfare Month, Absolute Gives Back The Love to Moms #SelfLoveIsBabyLove

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Regina G. Posadas

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Parenting
  • /
  • 12 truths and tips for first time moms
Share:
  • Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

    Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

  • What to look for in a nanny for an infant? What's the right way on finding a yaya?

    What to look for in a nanny for an infant? What's the right way on finding a yaya?

  • Sex after delivery: Let's talk about it

    Sex after delivery: Let's talk about it

app info
get app banner
  • Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

    Step-by-step guide to getting a PSA birth certificate

  • What to look for in a nanny for an infant? What's the right way on finding a yaya?

    What to look for in a nanny for an infant? What's the right way on finding a yaya?

  • Sex after delivery: Let's talk about it

    Sex after delivery: Let's talk about it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.