I HATE getting unsolicited advise. Giving it is something complete different. I remember when i was pregnant everyone and their mother wanted to tell me how to raise my son, what products to use, how to give a bath, blah blah blah. I wanted no part of it. I would cringe when people would try and offer heartfelt advise to help me ease into the transition of motherhood. How dare them tell me what i need to do, i will raise my son the way i want to! They couldn't possibly be right....boy was i wrong. Now I'm not saying EVERYTHING people told me was correct or useful. I was told i don't need a baby tub because there are cheaper and easier products to use. Well i'd be lost without my baby tub. However, i was told not to buy baby clothes ahead of time. I thought this was ludacris! I thought "i'll buy now, stock up, it'll be fun". Well, i put my foot in my mouth on that one. My baby is now 2 months and wearing 0-3 month clothing which is fairly on track, but i easily see that changing. I hate to admit when i was wrong, but i was wrong.
With all of that being said, i have some advise to offer to you mothers to be out there in the blogosphere. Yeah, i know i said i hate unsolicited advise but guess what-most of it was true. So here is my two cents worth:
1. They were right, don't stock up on too many baby clothes in too many different sizes. You don't know how your baby will grow. If you must buy a ton of clothes, keep the receipts handy and the tags attached.
2. DO stock up on diapers and wipes! You won't regret not having to make midnight runs to the store because you ran out! However, also keep the receipts for these. You never know if your little one will pee out of a Pamper or or be allergic to the wipes! Trust me, it happened to me.
3. Prevent diaper rash! use a little diaper rash cream at diaper changes from the get go. Diaper rash goes from harmless and pink to gross and painful and sore fast.
4. Buy pacifier wipes. I know i know, "i'll just put it in my mouth if it falls on the floor like my mom did" Well if it falls in a pile of dog crap will you still lick it clean for your baby? Didn't think so. Baby wipes aren't meant to eat, but pacifier wipes are 100% food grade. Spend the $3 you won't regret it.
5. "X brand of bottles are the BEST! you have to buy them!" Bull crap. My son uses non expensive Playtex bottles and loves them. I tried every bottle under the sun that "prevents colic and gas" and he hated them. The best bottle for your baby is the bottle your baby likes best. If you have a certain brand in mind you want to use i suggest using it from the get go.
6. Really stick to one brand of pacifier. Chances are your baby will prefer a certain shape or size and you'll waste your money and other peoples money trying to force him to take a paci he hates.
7. Put on your shower invitations that gift receipts are greatly appreciated. Its a pain to return stuff without them.
8. You can't spoil a new born. Really, you can't. Their needs and wants are one in the same. By responding to your crying child you help them develop a sense of trust in their world. This leads to a healthier, happier, more independent child in the long run. Plus, you'll love knowing mommy made it all better.
9. If you're a control freak (like me!) learn to let it go now. Nothing goes as planned with a baby no matter how hard you try. And the harder you try, the more drama you stir. It doesn't matter if your baby has his first cold and its Christmas and you just want him to lay int he living room of people. People will hold him, he will get passed around and you can't avoid that. Smile and deal with it. And enjoy the baby free time.
10. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can't do it all yourself. Well, you can, but its not easy. If you try to take it all on yourself you'll lose your mind. remember, happy mom=happy baby!
Thats all the advise i have. Take it all with a grain of salt since i know your thinking i'm wrong anyways, it'll make your foot taste a lot better when you're putting it in your mouth later :)
No comments:
Post a Comment