Ah, parenthood. It’s probably the most valuable thing in the world yet is also a bit of a nightmare to live through. Speak to any parent, and, more likely than not, they’ll tell you that those first few months are exciting, terrifying, stressful, and all a bit of a blur.
If you’re having a baby in the not-too-distant future, it’ll be normal to have a little trepidation about everything that you might experience. Above all, it’s important to remember that you will make it through those tough six months.
There are also plenty of things you can do to make the journey easier for yourself. Below, we’ll run through seven tips that’ll help make the process as smooth as possible.
Stock Up On Everything You’ll Need
Many parents are on a knife edge during those first few months. They can feel like everything’s under control, and then they face one little issue that prompts a near-breakdown.
The best way to manage the new parent experience is to limit the opportunities for things to go awry. One recommended method is to stock up on everything you need both for your baby and the household.
There’s nothing worse than realising you don’t have an essential item that you need right now. Stockpile all the items you’ll use time and time again, and you’ll have peace of mind that you won’t need to visit the store all that often.
Don’t Fight The Chaos
Your usual high standards for cleanliness and organisation might have to go out of the window for a little while. Expecting to take care of your baby and have a perfect home just isn’t realistic.
While you might want to keep up with the overall cleanliness of your property, it’s also best to just accept that things won’t be in pristine condition for a while. You can’t fight on all fronts — if the house is a little messy, then just embrace it. There’ll always be time to get your home into perfect condition later down the line.
Maximise Sleep Opportunities
First of all, it’s best to assume that you won’t be fully rested for a little while. The days of sleeping through the night will have to be put on pause until a few months in.
However, that doesn’t mean you should accept that you’ll always be drained of energy. Instead, get smart about your rest, and work to maximise your sleep opportunities.
If your baby is having a nap, then you can too, provided you know those safe sleep positions for infants — that’ll give you peace of mind that your baby is safe, allowing you to quickly doze off and replenish some energy.
Even 15 minutes of shuteye can be enough to feel rejuvenated and revitalised. You can also figure out a schedule with your partner, so you can rest while they’re taking care of the baby.
Accept Help
You’re going to have a lot of people willing to provide support, but it’s up to you to allow them to help. Many parents believe that they should be handling all of the parenting duties themselves, but think about this — for most of human history, babies have been raised by a tribe, not just one or two people.
If your friends and family members are willing to help you out, either by watching the baby while you rest, providing food, or looking after your older children, then let them. It’ll all be a bit much to take on every parenting responsibility yourself!
Plan Something Special
The first few months of your baby’s arrival will feel like an all-consuming experience that never ends. One way to handle the stress of that period is to plan a treat for yourself a little further down the line.
You’ll be able to handle those long and tired days much better if you know that you have a spa trip or a short getaway planned for the six-month mark. It can be a little reminder that these crazy days won’t last forever.
Work With Your Partner
Everyone has a different experience of life. While you’ll know your partner inside out during normal conditions, that doesn’t mean that it’ll all be the same when there’s a baby in your life.
It can take time for a bond to develop between a baby and a parent, and you may not always be aligned. So long as everyone’s pulling their weight, then that’s enough — the bond will come sooner or later, so be kind to each other while you’re figuring out this new phase of your life.