When you have a baby, DON'T:
- Invite Everyone Over. While everyone loves a newborn, that doesn’t mean that everyone should see your newborn. They could be carrying germs that your baby may have no protection against. Also – people are exhausting! You may not be ready to entertain and hear everyone’s advice on how to best give your baby a bath or what kind of onesies to buy. Instead of hosting company, post some pictures on Instagram for your happy and curious followers.
- Start a New Project. Your kitchen really seems small now that it has bottle warmers, baby bath containers, and burp cloths taking up so much space. Plus, your bedroom’s pretty crowded with the baby’s bassinet taking up so much room . . . and the yard will definitely need some new landscaping. If these thoughts are running through your head like a never-ending HGTV show, then just say no! It’s too stressful and can take up the time you’d like to spend with your baby during these precious early days.
- Clean While the Baby’s Sleeping. If your baby is sleeping, consider that a momentous occasion that must be celebrated – by taking a nap yourself. Or vegging out on the couch. Or looking at Facebook and fielding all of your congratulatory messages. Don’t clean anything, don’t spend your time rinsing out bottles if someone else is around to do it, and don’t – DON’T – feel guilty about it!
- Turn Down Help. If you think someone would love to help – and not just play with the baby (although, can you blame them? Your baby’s adorable!) – then accept their help. Can’t think of anything that you want someone to help with? How about cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms, running to the store for supplies, bringing your hungry baby to you for nursing, preparing and cleaning bottles, doing the laundry, cooking a meal or two, driving you to doctors’ appointments, or watching the baby while you actually get to take a shower.
- Start a Diet. If you just had a baby, and you glance down at your midsection, you may want to cry. That’s why people tell you to bring maternity clothes to the hospital – you’ll really need to wear them home, since you won’t be fitting into your “regular” clothes quite yet. That’s OKAY. That’s normal. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water so that you and the baby are getting the right nutrients. Try a diet that includes vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, lean meat, fish, and whole-grain products. Without enough of the right foods, you’ll be even more exhausted those first few weeks. Be sure to treat yourself right!
- Pay Attention To Everyone’s Advice. Friends, relatives, and strangers may be well-intentioned, but often the advice that hits your (sleep-deprived) ears sounds judgmental, preachy, and insensitive. Babies are one of those topics that everyone loves to talk about, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow anyone’s suggestions. Simply smile and say "thanks." You got this!
