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