If you are about to become a parent for the first time, congratulations!
You have probably been busy asking lots of friends and family that you trust for advice on what being a first-time parent will really feel like.
There are a tonne of books, websites (this one is the best, natch) and online forums where you can find other soon-to-be parents who might relate to what’s going on in your pregnancy journey at any given time.
Parenting blogs are also great because you can read first-hand accounts from really relatable women who will be truthful about their own recent parenting journeys.
We have rounded up 18 of the best pieces of advice for first-time mums from real Irish parenting bloggers:
1. Christine Doran from Awfully Chipper
“Trust your instincts”
2. Kellie from My Little Babog
“Never be too proud to ask for help”
3. Gwen from Wonderful Wagon
“The first few months can be overwhelming, exhausting and extremely emotional. Ask for all the help but at the same time don’t be afraid to put the lock on the door either”
4. Laura from Love, Life and Little Ones
“Enjoy those first few precious weeks.. Hold your baby and be proud of yourself. They go by way too fast. And remember the days are long but the years are so short..”
5. Aileen from Olivia’s Mother Blog
“Enjoy every second of your maternity leave (pre baby) Rest and indulge in whatever you love, don’t wish the time away, life as you know it will never be the same again!”
6. Kate from Kate Takes 5
“Practice your withering stare for people who give unsolicited advice or who ask ‘So is she a good baby?'”
7. Jennie From Mummie Vs The World
“Have a special date night with your partner a week or so before the birth and take some pics. You’ll remember this night as one of your final moments as a family of two (before you became three)”
8. Deborah from The Clothesline
“Read Ina May Gaskin and dump all the other pregnancy/ baby books and recognize the 4th trimester”
9. Kelly from Mummy Moments
“Don’t over do it, you will feel like superwoman at first but the night feeds and aftermath of labour can soon catch up with you. Take it day by day and do what feels right for you! Mummy Moments | A New Mum’s honest experiences and thoughts”
10. Jane from Postmodern Mummy
“Don’t forget to pack your big knickers for the labour ward!”
11. Olivia from Put The Kettle On
“Get you hair done and get your husband to do all those DIY jobs which have been put on the long finger. You’ll have no time once the baby arrives. Also, go for a hotel break or for a meal at a really good restaurant. It could be a while before you have a relaxing night out. Oh, and fill the freezer with home-cooked meals. This was a real life-saver”
12. Nicola from Simply Homemade
“Let your voice be heard in the hospital, tell them what you prefer/want, it’s your body, your baby. Oh and food, get your partner to bring you in decent, wholesome, nourishing food; hospital food is horrendous, a new mum needs sustenance not grey mince!”
13. Nicola from Lady Nicci
“You will need Bridget Jones knickers whether you like it or not: stock up. When you are in nightfeed hell, remember that it will get better. Maybe not soon, but someday. And someday comes pretty quickly”
14. Jolene from One Yummy Mummy
“Try not to panic about having the baby before the birth.. You will feel completely different when you have the baby.. Also breast fed /or bottle fed.. As long as the babies getting fed.. That’s the main thing.. Don’t feel pressured into doing either.. What ever works for you and your baby is perfect”
15. Lisa from Bad Mammy
“Pay no heed to the public health nurse and don’t let her make you cry, you know your baby better than she does. Sleep often! Cook meals beforehand and freeze them!!”
16. Elizabeth from Life On Hushabye Farm
“Expect to feel resentful when your partners life seems to return to normal while yours is changed forever, no matter how ecstatically happy you are with your little bundle, adjusting to maternity leave and the lack of routine can take a lot of adjusting to”
17. Tracey from Love of Living
“Don’t obsess over sleep. It’ll only make things harder and make you feel more exhausted. Babies feed a lot. It is normal. Embrace the idea of the fourth trimester and most importantly mind yourself. I expected to feel brand new after I gave birth. It takes time. PJs, lots of snacks and don’t be afraid to ask for help”
18. Laura at Raising Elves
“The first year is a write off. It’s a process. Don’t hold any expectations of what should be. Actually, ban the words ‘I should’ ‘you should’ ‘he/she should’. There is no perfect first year. It”s survival mode that gets easier over time. Everything is changing. Just let it change and if there are some changes that don’t work, then start making adjustments after the first year is over and you’re feeling a little more back to yourself”
Got any more to add to this list? Let us know in the comments on Facebook.
