| As a new mother, I found that I felt unprepared and | | | | sometimes the best thing to do is try to comfort your |
| completely off-balance during the first few weeks of | | | | baby.7. In the event that you're becoming |
| motherhood. I would ask others for advice, getting a | | | | overwhelmed by a crying baby, such as the one |
| myriad of opinions (none of them the same). From my | | | | described in number eight, it is okay to put the baby |
| own experiences, I thought it would be appropriate for | | | | down and walk away for a few minutes. This will |
| me to spread what I've learned to mothers-to-be, | | | | allow you to calm down, and may potentially help the |
| fathers-to-be, and new mothers and fathers.10. While | | | | baby to calm down.6. You cannot be a super parent, |
| you'd like to stock everything possible into your diaper | | | | no matter how hard you try. Babies do not come with |
| bag for your short trips, and sometimes your | | | | instruction manuals (no matter how much we all wish |
| not-so-short trips, the bare essentials are all that's really | | | | they did), and you are going to make a mistake or two |
| necessary. After two weeks of carrying everything, | | | | along the way.5. Making a mistake does not make you |
| but the kitchen sink, I compiled a list of must-haves. I | | | | a bad parent. Your baby is learning new things |
| now stick to that list:* Five to ten diapers (in case you | | | | everyday. As Mommy or Daddy, you are learning |
| forget to restock when you get home). | | | | about your new addition at the same time.4. Do what |
| * A full pack of travel baby wipes. | | | | you think is best for the welfare of your child. Do not |
| * If you bottle feed, enough formula or pumped breast | | | | let doctors, other parents, your parents, friends, or |
| milk for two bottles. | | | | family members pressure you to make decisions |
| * If you breast feed, an additional blanket or towel for | | | | about raising your child that you would not otherwise |
| privacy (if you are going to be in a public area). | | | | make.3. It is okay to ask questions when you're |
| * A change of clothes (weather appropriate, of | | | | stumped. Sometimes, the best way to learn is by |
| course) for the baby, in case of a spit up or diaper | | | | asking questions. Other times, it may help you to know |
| mishap. | | | | that you're not the only one who isn't sure about the |
| * A change of shirt for Mom/Dad, in case of a spit up | | | | answers.2. It is okay to ask for help. This rule is related |
| or diaper mishap. | | | | to number six. You cannot be a super parent, and you |
| * One or two burp rags. | | | | are not always going to be able to do everything on |
| * Two bottles. | | | | your own.1. Above all else, follow your own instincts. If |
| * Two pacifiers, if you use them.You may need to | | | | you receive advice from another parent or someone |
| alter your list as your baby gets older, but for the first | | | | you trust that doesn't feel right for you, then do not |
| month or two, this should get you through trips to the | | | | follow that advice. You may doubt yourself at times, |
| grocery store, a restaurant for lunch or dinner, or a trip | | | | but you are the one who knows you and your baby |
| to a friend's house.9. Your baby is going to be different | | | | the best.Some of these snippets of advice were given |
| from everyone else's baby. This means that he or she | | | | to me on the road to parenthood. Others, I had to learn |
| may eat more than other babies, eat less than other | | | | on my own. You may find that you add items to this |
| babies, do certain things before other babies, and do | | | | list as you go, or you may find that not everything on |
| some things after other babies. None of this makes | | | | this list applies to you. Most importantly, use your best |
| your baby any less or more talented than other babies. | | | | judgment to determine what is and isn't right for you |
| It only makes your baby different.8. Sometimes babies | | | | and your baby.Melissa Williams is a wife and mother of |
| cry for no reason at all. The only thing you can do, in | | | | a beautiful baby boy. She is an avid scrapbooker, card |
| this case, is to do what you know. Try changing the | | | | maker, crocheter, and all around creative person. She |
| baby's diaper, feeding the baby, checking to see if he | | | | lives in Michigan, and aspires to start her own business |
| or she is too hot or cold, or if he or she needs to be | | | | selling handmade cards and scrapbooking services. |
| burped. If none of those things soothes him or her, | | | | |