Practical Advice I Would Give a First Time Mom

As I write this post I am realizing just how much I want to tell other first time mamas like me. Oh boy is motherhood a whirlwind of learning! If you enjoy this post, please let me know, because I might do a part two rather than making this blog an epic. Below are 12 pieces of Practical Advice I Would Give a First Time Mom. Motherhood is so wonderful and exhausting and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. If you are a new mom, congratulations! I hope this post brings you some help and encouragement. Know that you are in my prayers. You got this, mama!

1. Lower Your Expectations

One of the best pieces of advice I can share with a first time mama is to just lower all your expectations. There’s a 98% chance your day is not going to go as planned. It’s better to approach your to-do list and schedule with an open hand than to work yourself into a fit of anxiety when things fall apart.

2. Lean on the Lord

On the good days and the bad, I encourage you to lean on the Lord. Always. I can accomplish nothing apart from Jesus. I’m not enough without Him.

3. Be Okay With Disappointing Others

Something that has been difficult for me to learn over the past few months is to be okay with disappointing others. You have a new priority and that is your baby, so you may not be able to show up at every extracurricular activity or event. You might take longer responding to text messages or email. Do your best, but be okay with disappointing others. You cannot control how others will respond to you.

4. Be a Student of Your Baby

A dear friend of mine once told me to be a student of your baby. Babies are all different and they learn so quickly. Take the time to study your child- their different cries and facial expressions, when they like to nap and what overwhelms them. Be a student of your baby and I promise you will always have more to learn!

5. Sift Through All the Advice

You are going to be flooded with advice throughout your pregnancy and journey into new motherhood. Everyone has a different opinion and viewpoint, including me. Sift through all the advice you are given and pray for wisdom. Then take what you know to be the best for your family and your baby. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

Oe of the most important lessons for a new mama to learn is when to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to send up a flare to your friends and family or even to your doctor if you aren’t doing well. Let people know you need help. It’s not a sign of weakness. It’s actually a sign of strength.

7. Go Outside

As far as the weather allows, I encourage you to spend at least a few minutes outside every day. Those early days of motherhood come with a lot of naps and hazy sweet days. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the fog and forget to venture outside your own front door. But getting a little fresh air and vitamin D can be life changing. You could take a walk with baby or even sit on the back porch, whatever works for you.

8. Learn to Be Flexible

Learning to be flexible goes hand in hand with lowering your expectations. Babies are unpredictable. They might nap on schedule or not. Your baby could have a blow out in the parking lot at church and then spit up on their only back-up outfit. Learn to roll with the punches and find the humor in those moments.

9. Choose Joy

Speaking of finding the humor, another piece of Practical Advice I Would Give a First Time Mom is to choose joy. Yes, joy is a choice. Because there are days when you don’t walk up feeling joyful.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:8

10. Find Your Mom Friends

Depending on when you have kids, you may or may not be surrounded by friends who are also parents. It’s important to surround yourself with other mom friends who know what you are going through. I don’t know what I do without my fellow mamas.

11. Get Yourself Ready for the Day

Especially those first few weeks, your single focus is that beautiful baby. You may find yourself in your pajamas all day, and that’s perfectly okay. I mean, you just pushed a human out of your body. However, when you are ready, I highly recommend taking the time each morning to get ready. Even if you aren’t going anywhere. Getting ready in the morning always makes me feel more prepared for the day.

12. Slow Down and Enjoy Every Moment

As much as there is to do around the house, with work or family or otherwise… remember to slow down and enjoy every little moment. As I write this post our baby girl is almost six months old. She is growing so incredibly fast and I don’t want to miss a moment, because she won’t be this little for long.

So get down on the floor with you baby during tummy time. Take long walks and hold them while they sleep. Soon they will be sleeping in a crib all by themselves and running away from you to play with friends. Enjoy every single second of this precious time with your baby.

I was going to stop at 12, but here are two bonus thoughts, because I could not help myself!

13. Overpack the Diaper Bag

Since this post is all about practical advice, I thought I would mention the importance of overpacking your diaper bag. Three extra outfits and ten diapers might seem excessive for running errands, but…. you never know. Take my advice. You never know and you will never regret packing too much, but you will regret not packing enough.

14. Remember to Thank Your Spouse

My husband works so hard for our family, and sometimes I get lost in the midst of my daily routine and forget to show him how appreciated he is. Men can especially feel unsure how to help with the baby, so give your husband a little extra encouragement now and again.

Thank you for reading Practical Advice I Would Give a First Time Mom. I hope I was able to bring you a little help and encouragement. If you enjoyed this post please let me know, because I am thinking of doing a part two! For more about hygge living with baby check out these posts below:

6 Things I Learned in 6 Months as a New Mom
What Helped Me Prepare to be a First Time Mom
How to Make Mornings More Manageable As a Mom
5 Helpful Scriptures for the New Mom

Subscribe to Be Still and Write below for weekly content and updates, and don’t forget to follow on Pinterest for more book recommendations. Feel free to email me with questions and suggestions.

Love always,