5 Tips for New Mums

Motherhood doesn’t come with a manual, but it does come with unlimited support and advice from fellow mummies who know what you’re going through. It’s one of those things you can only learn as you go along.

As a new mum, you don’t have to figure out everything on your own and all at once. Bringing your little one home from the hospital is definitely an exciting milestone, but it can feel overwhelming and stressful as well.

So for all the new mums and soon-to-be-mums out there, we’ve put together a quick infant care guide that will help you navigate the early days of motherhood!

1.     Give yourself time to learn

No matter how many best-selling parenting books you’ve read or how much parenting advice you’ve received, you won’t have it all figured out from day one. Whether it’s feeding or soothing your newborn baby, you’re bound to make mistakes and learn from them along the way.

Your baby doesn’t need a perfect parent, they just need a parent who’s always doing their best and getting better each day.

2.     Monitor how your baby is crying

There’s usually a good reason why babies are crying. Babies cry when they’re hungry, gassy, looking for comfort, in need of a new diaper, or sometimes, for no reason at all.

Doctors agree that sometimes babies for no reason, even when it seems like all their needs have been met. However, it’s worth noting that crying is how infants communicate.

If you notice a change in how your baby is crying, it's a great idea to check if their temperature is normal. If it’s normal, then just wait for their mood to pass and return to normal.

It’s natural to feel unsettled by your baby’s crying, but if you’ve done all the soothing methods, then it’s likely that they’re crying just for the sake of it.

3.     Don’t be pressured into breastfeeding

Just because breastfeeding is a bodily function for women doesn’t mean it’s easy. Mothers are often expected to opt for the natural way of feeding their babies, which can end up with them feeling guilty if they’re unable to or choose not to.

The truth is, the breastfeeding journey is different for every mother. The majority of new mums are struggling with making their baby latch, but for others, latching may come easy.

Sometimes, a mother is unable to produce enough breast milk. For other mums, breastfeeding can be painful.

At the end of the day, what matters most is that you make the decision that’s best for you and your baby. You can empower yourself with information so you feel more confident and secure in your decision.

A friendly reminder that there’s a learning curve for new mums who decide to breastfeed, but with the right support system, breastfeeding will get easier.

4.     Observe skin-to-skin contact

One of the best infant care guides we could give to new mummies is to encourage skin-to-skin contact as early as now.

Gentle touch is extremely important for a child’s development. When you’re always interacting with your baby, it builds neural connections in their brains that support healthy development.

So showing that you’re responsive to your baby’s needs not only fosters trust in the relationship, but also helps them feel more confident and secure.

We’re not saying that you should hold your baby all the time, but rather spend time with them as much as you can. Snuggle away together on the couch or wear a baby carrier while cleaning the bedroom, if you want.

5.     Don’t shy away from postpartum blues

You might find yourself crying on and off throughout the day or having the urge to snap at your partner over the smallest things. It’s your hormonal and emotional balance shifting after giving birth, which is completely normal.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to recognise these feelings and show yourself kindness. Try sharing how you’re feeling with your partner because feeling supported is one of the most effective ways to get over the baby blues.

In Summary

The one thing that will make your journey into motherhood a lot easier is learning when to ask for help. When it comes to infant care, don’t hesitate to seek help from childcare professionals, like the team at My Little Campus (MLC).

MLC has an infant care programme for toddlers aged 2 to 18 months, facilitated by experienced and passionate educators who know how to nurture young minds.

Find out more about MLC’s childcare programmes by visiting our website!