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We reached out to local moms via social media to ask them: if you could give advice to a new first-time mom or mom-to-be, what would you tell them? From practical tips on sleep schedules and baby gear, to heartfelt reminders about self-care and support, here are some nuggets of wisdom from moms who are doing it (with both humour and grace!).
Every once in a while, set your phone up in a corner of the room and just film for five minutes. Even if you’re not really doing anything: feeding, rocking, getting baby dressed, playing. The first year is such a blur, and it’s nice to look back and remember the precious daily moments.
Cortney
Take short videos of you and your baby as much as you can. Pictures are great, but looking back on short 30-second videos of you just speaking about what you did on a certain day, what he’s up to, or how he’s changed. It is so nice to look back on.
Rachelle
As a photographer and a mom, even if you don’t feel your best (after having a baby!) get in the pictures! Later on, you’ll wish you had.
Amy
Get a CPST to help you choose and install your car seat.
Elizabeth
Two-way zipper sleepers only, no buttons, no snaps; ain’t nobody got time for that.
Geneva
Especially for newborns: always get the pyjamas with the double zippers. Nighttime diaper changes are easier and stealthy with double zippers! Don’t get the pj’s with the snaps.
Kimberly
Layer multiple crib sheets with waterproof liners between then on the baby’s mattress – it’s WAY easier to clean up if baby is sick or a diaper leaks in the night. Just peel off the dirty layer and put baby back to bed without having to re-make the bed.
Tina
Follow your gut. You’re going to get conflicting advice. Take it all with a grain of salt.
Dee
Trust that little inner voice – listen to it and honour it. Mommy instincts are your North Star!
Kristy
Always trust your gut and yourself – your mom instincts are always right. You are the expert on your child!
Rachelle
Trust your gut feelings.
Anisah
Smile and say thank you to advice you didn’t ask for, and then do whatever YOU want! Don’t stress about nap and wake routines until after the 4-month mark. Put baby down to sleep awake but drowsy from a very early start to encourage skills to fall asleep independently early and then you will never have to stress about rocking or nursing to sleep.
Pam
Don’t let yourself feel judged. You’re doing a fantastic job, and you know your family best.
Also, all the “happy mom” social posts are big piles of “poop” – they’re just not posting their bad days!
Amanda
My best advice for new moms is to ignore all the unsolicited advice you’re given! It’s one thing if you’re asking a trusted friend for some help or their opinion, but just smile and nod at the rest of it.
Allison
Hear everyone out but do what feels right and peaceful for you.
Ibie
Creating a village of moms is critical for surviving your first year. They are in the thick of it with you and knowing you have that squad is a game changer.
Chelsey
Embrace the contact naps and take advantage of them (it helps baby sleep better at night). They won’t last forever. All baby has known for nine months is the rhythm of your breathing, the sound of your voice, your heartbeat and blood swooshing inside, so contact naps really help them get great daytime sleep. And don’t hesitate to ask for help, (load of laundry, empty dishwasher, watch baby while you take an actual shower, ect). It. Takes. A. Village.
Sara
Join a lot of mom groups on Facebook… breastfeeding, cloth diapering, elimination communication, and potty-training groups. So much knowledge is shared my other moms! Every post, every story shared online is a lesson. It also helps to validate your feelings with what other moms share in their motherhood journey.
Olivia
All those hard moments will be just a memory at some point, not a constant reality. It all passes.
Melody
Best advice I got is: this too shall pass (the hard days and sleepless nights, they’ll pass eventually).
Sandy
As a fellow mama, I’d like to share that embracing the chaos and unpredictability of motherhood has been incredibly liberating for me. Remember that during the good and bad times, they all shall pass, and your baby will continue to grow and flourish in ways that will amaze you.
Jess
Your health, physical and mental, is just as important as baby’s.
Henriette
Embrace imperfection and practice self-care regularly.
Sonjali
As hard as it may seem, take time to fill your cup. No one can do it on an empty tank.
Crystal
Motherhood isn’t a competition. When you popped that baby, you won every single contest there was in the world! So don’t let the world dictate and take it slow.
Mubina
Don’t listen to comparisons! Example: whose kids sleep their nights, whose are sitting up first, crawling, walking, who knows their ABCs and animals, and who was potty trained by 12 months, etc. Ignore those type of parents who make you feel like you’re doing it wrong and their child is perfect.
Joanne
My favourite was “remember when you’re awake at 3am feeding the baby, you’re not alone. There’s another mom out there too doing the same thing.” That always brought me comfort knowing I wasn’t alone.
Kailey
Stay away from Google!
Joanna
It’s ok to hate it. It will get better.
Poonam
It’s ok not to like being a mom. Conflicting feelings are valid.
Michelle
Breathe… no one knows what they’re doing. You got this!
Kelly
The beginning is hard, but so worth it. Remember everything is a phase. And don’t feel bad to ask for help.
Julie
You can’t spoil a baby. Also, earplugs are a great investment.
Zuzanna
You can never spoil a baby, and you need to prioritize both your baby’s needs and your own. Also, never compare yourself to other mamas, especially the ones on social media who strut their bikini bodies.
Ylana
Happy mom, happy baby.
Samantha
Everyone makes mistakes but we learn from them! If you put on a diaper the wrong way, or forget a feeding, trust me: babies let you know everything! Your life doesn’t need to be perfect right now. This is you and baby time, and if people don’t like that your house is a little messy, don’t come over.
Debbie
– JC
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By: Jennifer Cox The Suburban
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