Becoming a new mum or dad is a dream that most of us have as children. You imagine rocking your baby to sleep, watching them take their first steps and forming a bond with your new bundle of joy.
But what you soon discover is that the early life of a baby isn’t as easy as it looks – and can sometimes make you question your sanity. Below are five tips for surviving the new baby period.
1. There is no perfect parent
Being a mum or dad is hard work. Every mum and dad have their down days; many are exhausted all the time, some are stressed beyond belief, but every parent goes through this because they love their children.
A lot of new parents worry that they might not be becoming the best parents their baby could have. There is no perfect parent; all you can do is your best. We all make mistakes as parents, but what truly makes a good parent is carrying on despite our weaknesses.
2. Don’t take out frustration on your partner
Often babies and new mums and dads can get frustrated and overwhelmed with the role of being a parent. It’s easy to take out some of this frustration on your partner or other loved ones. Think about how you can keep calm and happy in the role, and make sure you don’t take out your frustration on your loved ones.
Remember that your partner is the person who understands you best, loves you unconditionally, and cares for your child more than anyone else in the world. Try to remember this when you’re upset or stressed.
3. Talk to your baby to form a bond with them
Caring for a newborn baby can be very stressful. If you do not form a bond with the baby, the job will be much harder. Every day, massage your baby’s hands, feet, neck, and abdomen to gain positive attention from them. Talk to your baby regularly and bond with them now because the more you bond now, the easier it will be later on in life.
4. Be flexible as you learn how to be a new mum or dad
When it comes to bringing up our children, we all want to be the best we can be, and we want our kids to have the best start in life. As a mum or dad, that’s a huge ambition and an enormous task.
You’re embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, and while there are some general rules that apply to all new mums and dads, there’s no one size fits all approach you can take when it comes to coping with each stage of your child’s development. This is why ‘being flexible’ is one of our top tips for new parents.
5. Get a child’s health insurance before the baby arrives
Investing in children’s health insurance prior to their birth is one of the smartest things you can do as soon as you realise you’re becoming a parent.
It gives you and your child full health protection if anything goes wrong and gives you peace of mind as they grow up. It means that your kids will always be protected and have access to the best care possible.
Conclusion
Becoming a new parent can be one of the most challenging times in your life. The pressure’s on – you are sleep deprived, you’re still hormonal, and everyone has an opinion. It can be hard to remember that it gets better. Hopefully, these 5 tips will give you some perspective, no matter how old your child is or where you are in your parenting journey.