Unlike your new TV or computer, your newborn baby does not come with a manual. It can be a bit of trial and error when it comes to sussing out your newborn and what works best for them. There are many books and online forums specifically for new parents, giving varying degrees of tips and advice. All of that can be a little confusing as it is! So here are some common pitfalls that new parents can find themselves in. Hopefully, you’ll be able to do your best to avoid them!
Buying Too Much
There are many people that will tell you to buy certain things for your new baby. Or you might just think that you need to buy certain things for when the baby arrives. Of course, some items like a stroller and a car seat are needed if you ever want to leave the house. But there are some specific baby target products that you don’t need to get. According to stay-a-stay-at-home-mom.com, one of the most unused baby items that people buy is a baby bathtub. So if you already have a bathtub in your bathroom, then I’d be inclined to agree. A bathtub specifically for your baby isn’t really needed. It can take up a lot of space when you don’t really need it at all. Other items that can just be a waste are top and tail cleaning bowls, hooded bath towels, and a solid changing unit or changing station.
Reading Too Much Information
When you read a lot of information, it can really be overwhelming as a new parent. So I would be specific and quite particular about what you choose to read prior to your baby being born. What a lot of the information forgets to talk about is that each baby is different and comes with their own personality. One technique might work wonders on one baby. But try it out on your second child, and it won’t do anything. That can leave you feeling stressed or like a failure. So it is best to avoid reading too much. See what your baby is like when they arrive.
Expecting a Good Sleep Routine
Just because your neighbor’s baby slept through right away, it doesn’t mean that yours is going to. It can be up to six months before your baby is in an established sleep routine. So trying to be strict much before that might just stress the two of you out. The best thing to do is to rest as much as you can when the baby sleeps. You just have to accept that broken sleep will just be how it is for a little while.
Trying To Get Back To How Things Were
A new baby changes your life completely. So if you spend the first few months of their life trying to get back to life as it was before, it can be quite detrimental. Your life has changed, and it won’t ever be exactly as it was. Getting stressed about the change, or looking back on how things were can’t be good for you, and could even lead to postnatal depression. So embrace the change and your new role as parents.