The Most Important First Time Mom Tips

Take care of yourself.

The healthier, more alert and present you are, the better it’ll be for you, your partner and your baby. But you’ll be none of those things if you burn yourself out. Depending on your baby’s temperament, that could happen quickly if you don't show yourself some love.

Here are five important tips for the first three months of parenthood that will help you adjust to life with a newborn.

Nap when the baby naps

Don’t think you have to clean or do a load of laundry while your little one sleeps. Anything on your do-to list can wait until the next nap, and you’ll get it all done so much faster with a bit more rest. The key is not to fight it if you feel like you need to lie down.

Take advantage of grandparents

No matter how good your little angel is, you’re going to need a break at some point. Give your folks some quality time with the baby while you take a well-deserved evening out of the house and away from all things parenting. You’ll be amazed how refreshing having an adult conversation can be.

Eat breakfast

Starting the day off on a healthy note will hopefully keep you on track for the rest of the day. It’s especially the most important meal when you’re caring for a newborn because life in 30-minute intervals (which will be your reality for the first 12 weeks) is much more exhausting without proper nutrition.

Treat yourself to some personal pampering

After about six weeks of parenting, you’ll have earned an hour or so of having someone looking after you. It doesn’t have to be a full day at the spa – just a simple massage might be all you need to recharge your battery. Find a babysitter you know won’t back out (grandparents are good for that kind of thing) so you can keep the appointment you book. You’ll come home more relaxed and ready to jump back into the fray.

Make time for sex

The extra spring you get in your step after a bit of naked time may be just what you and your partner need to get through the tougher days of parenthood. And while neither of you may feel like making love after a long afternoon of reading, feeding and cleaning, it’s important to get yourselves in the mood once in a while, even if you have to force it a bit.

You’ll probably begin sleep-training your baby between 4 and 5 months, and once they can make it through the night, you’ll start to get some semblance of your old self back. Until then, the better off you are, the better off your baby will be.