I was going to ask CHATGPT to list tips for new parents, but I decided that real-life humans are better sources for this kind of intel than artificial intelligence. And so, I will forever keep in my heart these suggested tips from 24 of the best parents I know:
- -you either do the hard thing now or you do the harder thing 10 times harder later. Ex. My kids never did a pacifier because I didn’t want to have to deal with taking away the pacifier. Or giving them a screen because they’re bored. It’s hard to reverse that later. If they never learn to have that, they won’t rely on it.
-don’t do things for them that they can readily do themselves. Like they should start ordering their own meals at restaurants at like 3.
-always remember that this too shall pass. - Have a schedule for everything as best as possible, know their wake times, etc… Be patient because sleeping will be very hard, schedule off times to get rest… I say expect the worst, be prepared for anything
- Enjoy every moment. It goes by really fast. Also, no one is a perfect parent. Do the best you can and don’t beat yourself up if you feel you fall short. We all think that, but it doesn’t mean it’s true.
- Mentally preparing yourself for sleepless nights with helping your wife with the newborn and also make sure your wife is ok ….and ask for help from your family if need be
- Live close to grandparents
- Sleep when the baby is sleeping. Specially the first few weeks. Everything else can wait. #2 find a good support system and take all the help you can get. It takes a village to raise a child. #3 everyone will give you a million suggestions, stick to what’s best for your family and set boundaries.
- But I think it would’ve helped me to hear that all parents struggle with at least one thing, & that there’s a huge learning curve so it’s important to let go of the pressure of doing everything perfectly. Also, having parent friends that you can talk to & reach out to is super important!
- There is no manual- haha. You’re going to make mistakes, but trust your instincts and give yourself grace. No one will know your baby better than you and your wife, and while advice from others can be helpful, what works for your family may be unique. Remember, it’s okay to not have all the answers right away—parenting is a learning journey, and you guys are going to be great. Just take it one day at a time. Your baby won’t know that you guys are new at it!
- I would say take all the help you are offered. Do you guys want me to bring some dinner? Yes. Do you want me to change this diaper? Yes. The baby is sleeping take a nap (or take a shower) I’ll watch them. Thanks.
You always want to take care of your kid, make sure you let people take care of you too.
Bonus tip: you both are going to be hungry, tired, and grumpy. Don’t take extra sass or attitude personal - Financially, everything doesn’t need to new items( they all grow out of it pretty quick). If you want to go buy new items, more power to you.
- I would say don’t forget to prioritize your marriage and use your trusted family/friends support when needed.
- I’d say give yourself grace. Also, slow down when you can and soak it all in. They are only babies for a short amount of time. And nap when baby naps.
- You guys are on the same team
- Don’t google anything. Ask a friend/family/pediatrician. You can even call choc hospital ER nurse hotline. Only negative stuff online and it will stress you out. Buy a baby book if you like reading
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My number one though will be you’re going to receive a lot of unsoliciated advice. Especially from the elders and your parents. At the end of the day you do what’s best for you and your family. You know your child best. Trust your gut.Follow takingcarababies on IG! I didn’t know all sorts of parenting resources existed. I bought her newborn sleep class course. It was so helpful and was such an eye opener for me! She teaches about wake windows and sleep routines… all things I didn’t know until the second.The Ollie swaddle is superior. We had so much sleepless nights trying to buy different types of swaddles. This was the one that worked for us. Sound machine for white noise. Blackout curtains. Lots and lots of bibs and burp clothes. I think those are the only must buys that we would recommend over and over. And mittens. They have sharp nails when they’re born.
Continue to date each other now as much as you can (and after obv). That was something I instantly missed right away 🥰 - Be patient and to be ready for your sleep schedule to be all messed up. Also to use your resources for help, like if you guys have friends or family that want to help LET THEM!!
- Understand that every baby is different, you can do your best to educate and prepare yourself but you can never truly prepare for everything. Be flexible with what comes at you involving your baby.
- take care of your wife. she gonna get even more emotional after she gives birth. You gotta go above and beyond what you think is above and beyond
- It’s ok to not be ok. Ask for help.
- That it doesn’t have to be perfect. Sleep when baby does, put baby on your schedule, and figure out what works for you. The beginning isn’t as cute as it Is portrayed. And I 1,000% recommend a belly binder for mom once she’s delivered.
- Also don’t be afraid of having your baby exposed to the outside. Babies have natural born immunities. I took my kids/babies out their 1st weeks. Don’t buy to many newborn clothes. They will out grow in weeks. At the baby shower ask for many other sizes like 3-6 months, 6-9 and 9-12 months. Ask for onesies. !!! In these sizes
- Let them “tell you” when they are hungry-don’t wake them up. Otherwise they be grumpy like you in the classroom 🤣🤣
Oh, and let them fall otherwise you raise one of these kiddos we teach - I would say, the number one tip is to do what works for you and your family, there’s a lot of different advice out there, and sometimes the advice that you hear is conflicting. I spent a lot of the first six months, trying to do everything right by the book… And it stressed me out way too much, so trust your gut. Trust your instincts and whatever works for you and your little family unit will work, even if it might not work for someone else sometimes.
- Enjoy every moment
