15 Useful Tips For First-time Mothers

We offer here some tips for first-time mothers that may make life a little easier for you.

Being a mother is not easy, not in any way. Doing it for the first time is even harder.

When it comes to parenting, experience is the best teacher. Little by little, we learn from our mistakes and repeat what works.

Knowing that you are going to be a parent for the first time is always a breathtaking experience. Being worried is completely natural. After all, it is a great leap into the unknown. So it might be a good idea to read about tips for first-time moms.

There is a lot of advice that can help clarify things, and with the internet, all the information you need is easily accessible.

Just keep in mind that our tips are guidelines, not strict rules. The idea behind all good advice for parents is to give them tools to make their own decisions.

Tips for first-time moms

1. As soon as you know that you are with a child, go to your doctor or book an appointment at the maternity care center.
2. Calculate how many weeks you are pregnant by counting from the first day of your last menstrual period.
3. You usually begin to feel the baby in your womb between the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy. However, it is different for everyone, some know the child earlier and others a little later. At first it feels like a tickle or a coo in the stomach.
4. Pay attention to your body and learn to recognize unusual symptoms. If you bleed profusely, have a fever of more than 38ºC or suffer from severe abdominal pain, see your doctor.
   
5. Pain is a sure sign that you are giving birth. These feel like a pain in the stomach or back that grows stronger.
6. You can travel if your pregnancy is not a high-risk pregnancy. Ask your doctor about it.
7. You can exercise while you are pregnant. There are a lot of physical activities that do not pose a risk.
8. There is nothing wrong with having intercourse during pregnancy, as long as it is not a high-risk pregnancy.
9. Mood swings are normal. Remember that your body goes through huge changes, and also your hormone levels.
10. Document your pregnancy. Photos and videos will be invaluable to keep. It is a unique experience, and one that you will want to remember later.
11. Take the chance to learn as much as you can. You can do this by asking other moms or by learning from reliable online sources. This way you feel better prepared.
12. You need support from your partner, family and friends. Surround yourself with people you can trust and who share what you are going through.
13. When your baby is born, try to sleep when he does. That way, you charge your batteries to take care of your newborn baby when he is awake.
14. Do not be afraid to speak out. The first days with a new baby can be very difficult. It is a radical change in your life, and you will be very tired. Do not worry about saying no to visitors and take things at your own pace.
15. Be kind to your body. After the birth, it can be difficult to lose those extra kilos that you put on during pregnancy. A good start is to eat healthy and take a walk every morning.

The most common mistakes that first-time parents make

We all make mistakes, especially when we go through radical changes. If you do something wrong, do not take it too hard.

Here are some mistakes that first-time parents usually make:

• Dress and stuff the baby too hot. Newborns get cold easily, but if you put too much clothing on them, they can start sweating. Be careful with it, as it has been linked to asphyxia and sudden infant death syndrome.
• Bathes the baby every day. Pediatricians recommend that you bathe your child two to three times a week. That’s more than enough.
  
• Makes the baby cry. Although there are some experts who advise parents to make the child cry, most have distanced themselves from this theory. When your baby cries, pick her up and comfort her.

• Do not allow the baby to empty the breast of milk. Let the baby drink all the milk from the breast before switching from one to the other.
• Listens to grandma and grandma too much. Grandmothers and grandmothers have extensive experience in raising children, but research has progressed and there are now new recommendations and advice. So listen to the older generation, because they have a lot to contribute, but first double check with more modern advice.

Is it normal to feel frustrated when making mistakes as a first-time parent? Obvious.

But what is really important is to get in touch with other parents who have more experience and can guide you along the way.

Remember that they made mistakes just like you when they were beginners. Take advantage of the lessons they have learned to become the best parent you can be.