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Motherhood is filled with lots of emotions. Happiness, anxiety, love, exhaustion, excitement, fear….and the list goes on. There are so many things you learn along the way that you won’t find in a textbook. After having a new baby – no matter how prepared you think you are – you end up being thrown into this whole motherhood thing. But, you’re not in this alone! Even after having 5 kids, I can say that each new baby was a new adventure. So, I’ve gathered some advice for you from my friends, colleagues, and fellow readers. Here, I’ll share with you their thoughts and my best advice to new moms.

1. Take in every moment with your little one.

They grow very, very, very fast. This isn’t just a saying. The time really does fly by in the blink of an eye, so enjoy it! The first year can be exhausting, but seems to go by the fastest!

2. Don’t rush your baby to grow up.

Sure, we all want our little ones to learn new skills – like smiling, laughing, rolling over, walking, talking, etc. But, a baby that’s laying still is a lot easier to keep up with than a risk-taking 1 year-old. So, don’t rush the process! Each new phase comes with its own hazards.

3. Hold your baby.

Don’t get stressed out if your baby wants to be held all the time because soon enough he’ll be a toddler and won’t want to be held anymore (Samantha Smith Blog). Eventually, you may only get cuddles when he’s sick. 🙁

4. Sleep when your baby sleeps.

Again, this isn’t just a saying. Make a point to catch a nap as often as you can when your baby is asleep. You never know what your night is going to look like with a newborn, so get as much sleep as you can, whenever you can.

5. Ask for help.

Yes, I know we all try to be “super woman” on a regular basis. But, after you have a baby, it’s time to put your cape down for a little while. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family members, and especially your hubby. Create your village of family and friends who will support you and help out when you need a time out (Jasmine Ambeau). Don’t expect people to offer help or to make assumptions about what you need. Be specific and honest. If you need someone to make dinner, clean up for you, watch the baby while you take a nap – just ask! So many people will bend over backwards for a new mom!

6. Decide early on how you’ll split Holidays.

Things like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc (lifebeyondthevows). These can really cause probles if you’re close to your parents or in-laws. So, think about it.

7. Be cautious when joining a “mommy group” .

This includes groups in person and on social media. While most are meant to support you, a lot of them end up bashing and shaming moms (Sally Benitez). They may leave you questioning yourself as a new mom. Also, be cautious about the misinformation that can be given as “advice” in these groups.

8. Rely on your Pediatrician

We’re reliable sources of medical information for your newborn. Keep your baby’s visits, and ask as many questions as you need. Many of us are parents, too, so we can help with the medical and the practical side of parenting.

9. Put aside the stress.

Being a new mom can be overwhelming. Take lots of pictures. Get out and just enjoy your new baby. (parentingistrending)

10.Continue learning daily

Always consider yourself a “new mom”. Everyday consists of something new to learn, so try to continue learning daily. (lifeinlittleshoes). Keep growing and learning, right along with your baby.

11. Start a nighttime routine ASAP.

This can include: turning down the lights/noise in the house, bath time, baby massage, reading a book, playing calming music, singing, prayers, and lights out (Lillimarie Gore). This

12. Don’t stress about having your baby on a “schedule”.

While a bedtime routine is helpful to get your baby settled, don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t automatically lead to an excellent sleeper. It’ll just leave you stressed out and missing out on these precious moments with your baby. In reality, it’s hard to force your baby to fit a certain mold. Newborns are supposed to feed every 2-3 hours. Forcing a young baby to go longer than this without feeding can actually be detrimental. So, just go with the flow. Let your baby lead. Don’t expect him to sleep through the night right away. Eventually, you’ll notice a regular pattern, but that, too, may change as your baby grows. You’ll soon learn that being a mom is all about being flexible. And once you come to accept that you’ve lost most of the control in your life, you’ll be one happier mom!

13. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s.

Other moms may have it easier or harder than you. They also may not be telling the full story. Don’t worry about it. Live your own journey. Don’t compare your baby to other babies. No baby is perfect!

14. Plan for things to take twice as long as expected.

At the last minute, as you’re trying to walk out the door, you’ll get thrown up on, or peed or pooped on. Besides packing twice as many things as you think you’ll need, be prepared with extra time.

15. Things will get better.

Nursing, sleeping, diaper changes, schedule – it all gets better with time. You and your baby will get into a groove, I promise!

16. Don’t plan to get everything done.

For example: plan to do the laundry or the dishes, not both. Although you won’t have any idea where your time goes, know that you haven’ts done “nothing” (Rebecca Bergman)

17. Breastfeed!

It’s free and has so many benefits. If you’ve been on the fence, I recommend at least giving breastfeeding a try. You won’t regret it!

18. Watch your mood.

Pay attention to feelings of extreme sadness and withdrawal from your baby. It may be time to get professional help. Post-partum depression is a real thing, and can be dangerous for you and your baby. So, don’t be ashamed. Reach out, and be open to the input from those around you if they tell you they’re noticing signs.

19. Things won’t go as planned.

Like I said before, motherhood is an exciting adventure. So many moms that I meet have birth plans, and have their child’s whole life practically planned out from the moment they find out they’re pregnant. Of course, planning is important. But don’t get so caught up in following an”idealistic” plan. You’ll forget to enjoy the moments and beat yourself up when things don’t happen exactly as planned.

20. You’re going to mess up, and it’s OK.

No matter how hard you try, mistakes will happen, things will be forgotten, you’ll feel like you’ve really messed your child up. No one is a perfect mother – no matter what their life looks like out the outside. There is not perfect child – no matter what other moms will tell you about their children. Just do your very best to raise an awesome, healthy child. Accept the mess-ups along the way. Learn from them, and enjoy this unpredictable ride called motherhood!

Are you a pregnant mom, waiting in anticipation for your little one to arrive? Or a mom of a newborn, just trying to keep your head above water and your eyes open? Grab my printable “Surviving The First 30 Days” Newborn Journal for only $5! It includes tips for making it through the first 30 days with your newborn, and space to write down your thoughts, feelings, and questions for your doctor’s visits, friends, and family members. It’s a month’s worth of goodness! GRAB YOUR JOURNAL HERE!

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