My Princess Emmy at 3 days old 💓
When I first started to tell people I was pregnant EVERYONE (including strangers, randomers and people in the supermarket) wanted to tell me what I should do when the baby is born. Don't get me wrong, I've had some amazing support and advice from the people around me (my mum is my go-to baby guru) But honestly, when Emmy was first born I was given some strange advice, so here goes:
PS: If some of this advice works for you and your baby, then that's great. Every mum and baby is different and what works for someone, may not work for someone else, but that's perfectly okay: This blog is against mum judgement. And this post illustrates advice that didn't work for myself but may work for others.
Let your baby cry it out
NO NO NO. This concept just seems strange and cruel. With Emmy if I leave her to cry, she doesn't think, right, I've cried for 10 minutes no ones coming so I may as well stop. She gets louder and louder and worse and worse. She often shakes when you leave her to cry as she gets completely distraught. When she cries I pick her up and nurse her and she's so much better and happier, babies need love and reassurance.
Feed your baby solids from 3 months old
It was more the older generation which gave me this advice. Babies aren't ready at this age and and they don't need solids at this age either. It should be up to the parents as and when you decide to start weaning your baby, some babies start earlier than others and some start weaning later, there is no perfect time.
You won't need many clothes
Admittedly with a new born baby, they grow very fast, so you don't need piles and piles, but you do need quite a few essentials (baby-grows and sleepsuits) Just so your not washing every 5 minutes. Plus buying baby clothes is SO much fun, no-one should make you feel guilty about it.
Especially now Emmy is starting solids, she goes through so many outfits its crazy: Food tends to stain and because solids make babies poop more, there is poo literally everywhere, some things just arnt worth washing, I just chuck them away and buy a set of babygrows from Asda (you can get sets of £10 for 10)
Put your baby down awake but drowsy
If this works for you, then that's amazing, but it's the complete opposite for Emmy. I let her fall asleep on me and then once shes been asleep for around 10 minutes I put her down and she settles fine. If I try putting her down while she's awake she goes insane.
If they pull your hair, pull it back
And if they bite you, bite them back. HA! What the?! Babies do not understand this concept. I once complained that Emmy kept pulling my hair, so someone suggested that I pull her hair and she'll learn that its painful. This just seems so cruel and strange.
You won't need many clothes
Admittedly with a new born baby, they grow very fast, so you don't need piles and piles, but you do need quite a few essentials (baby-grows and sleepsuits) Just so your not washing every 5 minutes. Plus buying baby clothes is SO much fun, no-one should make you feel guilty about it.
Especially now Emmy is starting solids, she goes through so many outfits its crazy: Food tends to stain and because solids make babies poop more, there is poo literally everywhere, some things just arnt worth washing, I just chuck them away and buy a set of babygrows from Asda (you can get sets of £10 for 10)
Sleep when the baby sleeps:
This is a MASSIVE bug-bear of mine! Some babies DO NOT sleep! When Emmy was first born, she was awake every couple of hours and all she wanted was me, it was a very difficult time and I was exhausted, but honestly I could not get myself to sleep. I would usually spend my time, watching her, making sure she was breathing, making sure she wasn't too warm or too cold. Now that she's older and I'm more confident that she'll be okay; the times that I get her to sleep in her bouncer, are the times that I spend doing the washing, tidying the house, loading the dishwasher. My brain is too awake to sleep.
Put your baby down awake but drowsy
If this works for you, then that's amazing, but it's the complete opposite for Emmy. I let her fall asleep on me and then once shes been asleep for around 10 minutes I put her down and she settles fine. If I try putting her down while she's awake she goes insane.
If they pull your hair, pull it back
And if they bite you, bite them back. HA! What the?! Babies do not understand this concept. I once complained that Emmy kept pulling my hair, so someone suggested that I pull her hair and she'll learn that its painful. This just seems so cruel and strange.
Stop picking that baby up; you'll spoil her
Babies can't be spoilt, babies need love and honestly, I love having a cuddle with my little Emmy, she's my baby and if I wish to hold her 24/7 I shall hold her 24/7.
Babies can't be spoilt, babies need love and honestly, I love having a cuddle with my little Emmy, she's my baby and if I wish to hold her 24/7 I shall hold her 24/7.
You must breastfeed, otherwise your baby won't get the best start in life
What a load of bullshit, If you wish to breastfeed then good for you, if you choose not to breastfeed then that's perfectly fine too. I was unable to breastfeed and Emmy is perfect, she's a perfect weight and very, very healthy, it has never affected her in the slightest.
Enjoy every moment
Sorry, but not every moment is enjoyable and that's okay! Night feeds, no sleep, changing pooey nappies, not being able to go to the toilet when you really need to because if you dare to leave the room, the baby will cry for an hour. Yup, not every moment of motherhood is joyful and its perfectly okay to say that it's a bit shit somedays!
What pieces parenting advice did you ignore?
Enjoy every moment
Sorry, but not every moment is enjoyable and that's okay! Night feeds, no sleep, changing pooey nappies, not being able to go to the toilet when you really need to because if you dare to leave the room, the baby will cry for an hour. Yup, not every moment of motherhood is joyful and its perfectly okay to say that it's a bit shit somedays!
What pieces parenting advice did you ignore?
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