Well, our first month has come and gone. Since we know a few other couples expecting their own little bundles of joy soon, we figured we'd share some of our first month survival tips:
1. Easy access clothes are perfectly acceptable in the world of babies. We encourage you to buy anything that is kimono-style for those first few days because floppy new baby heads are no fun to try and squeeze through regular onesies. Also, if you can find kimono-style gowns, those are even better because those tiny snaps on onesies and sleepers are no fun to deal with at 3am when you've had maybe 1.5 hours of sleep... And make sure whatever you get has long sleeves with the attached hand covers so that your little cutie doesn't scratch their gorgeous face!
2. Make sure you swaddle your baby at night. They'll sleep better, and thus so will you. You can always leave them unswaddled during the day so that they can stretch their arms and legs, and maybe even learn to differentiate between night and day. Not sure if that really works, but we're hopeful...
3. It's never too early to start tummy time. Get your baby started early so they don't fight the position later on when it's really important for their motor development. Besides, for some babies it helps with gassy bellies, and some do great napping this way (supervised, of course).
4. Everyone tells you to sleep when the baby sleeps. This is really hard to do for some reason (your excitement, the many visitors, the alone time that you crave, etc.), but really try to make yourself. At least once or twice during the daylight hours will help you through the night!
5. Take ALL the help you can get, no matter what form it comes in. When people offer it, say YES. If people ask what they can do, make sure you have a list of simple tasks in mind. YES, you can bring over a hot dinner. YES, you can get milk and eggs from the grocery store for us. YES, we'd love help getting the laundry folded. This also applies while you're in the hospital - whatever the nursing staff is willing to show you and help you with, let them. Especially breastfeeding. Nobody tells you how very difficult it actually is. Let the lactation specialist show you every trick she knows. Then ask the baby nurse. Then ask the night nurse. They all have different techniques, and you never know what is going to work for you until you try (and try and try). But don't worry, it does get much easier after the first couple of weeks! Also in this category - don't be shy about asking questions! Ask your pediatrician. Ask your mom. Ask your friends with kids. You may have to try advice from everyone in your zip code before you find something that works for you and your little cutie, but something will work!
6. Feed, burp, change diaper, feed, burp. Repeat as necessary, ad nauseum.
7. Keep a dry towel handy for diaper changes. Baby wipes will do you no good when your little cutie springs a leak, and you don't want to be wasting those costly diapers! Another trick is to open the diaper and expose baby to the cool air (and sometimes you might even want to blow a little cool breeze down there too), watch closely, then snap that diaper back shut as the inevitable stream starts to flow. Then you can proceed with the clean diaper (theoretically).
8. When changing the baby in locations other than the changing table, make sure you have a large waterproof AND absorbant pad underneath (Especially For Baby brand makes great ones), otherwise you risk ruining your couch, carpet, bedspread, etc. For that matter, get some of the smaller variety to use at the changing table. This will save you from staining that cute little changing pad cover, or having to change one that is soaked through in the middle of the night.
9. Take a million photos that first month. And some video. Newborns change every day and you don't want to miss an opportunity to record that gassy smile, the milk-induced coma, or even the screaming and snorting.
10. Never underestimate your baby - they will surprise you daily!
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