What's the BEST advice you were given?

[Fugitive06]

Inspired by the "Absolute Necessities" post, I thought that I would ask...

Although we've all been bombarded with new baby "advice", most of it being silly, useless & unsolicited, there would have to be a gem buried in there once in a while, right?

What was yours?

Mine was from a OB nurse...

"Don't nap the baby in a dark room or in his/her nighttime sleeping location (crib/bassinet).  This will help the baby to better acclimate to day vs night sleep patterns, therefore sleep thought the night sooner."

This tip was priceless!!  I napped my DD in a cradle in the bright sun-lit living room.  I often had the radio on (TV sometimes) & believe it or not I could vacuum around her!  She only slept in the bassinet at night therefore began to associate dark with longer periods of sleep.  

She was sleeping 6-8 hrs/night regularly before she was 4 months!!!

I learned on my own...
For nighttime feedings:
Have everything set up & ready before you go to bed of course but also...
CHANGE the diaper FIRST!  Before you begin to feed - it might be noisy but it is better than feeding him/her first - Baby inevitably falls asleep & then what?  You have to change her with out waking her?  Right, good luck!

Nancy

[rubyinparadise]

The best advice I've gotten so far actually came out of a magazine! It was an article on gaining confidence as a new mom, and for some reason, when I read this, a lightbulb just went on in my head and I have felt completely different (in a good way!) ever since:

"Be decisive. Tune into your gut feelings to make decisions quickly and confidently. Start small and work up. Quickly 'try on' your decision before finalizing it. See how you feel-- relieved or rubbed the wrong way-- and listen to yourself. When you've made a choice, move on without second-guessing. Keep reminding yourself: 'I'm top-dog expert here.'"

I just love that, and it has helped me to ward off a lot of unsolicited advice from well-meaning people.

[Victoria01]

Besides the obvious already stated, the best thing a new mommy can have is a sense of humor! Don't let the little things get to you and just enjoy your new baby. Everything else will fall into place.

[pertykitty]

pam you said it perfect!!  dont try to live to the "perfect mommy" standard we all set up for ourselves.  dont fret the small things, remember to breath in deep and remember its just one small moment in an entire lifetime.  

its ok if you feel like crying, it doesnt mean anything other than you are normal.

go by your instinct.  we question ourselves over and over and people will give you advice even if you dont ask.  do what YOU as a mom feels is best.  

remember to have some time with dh that is husband / wife time.  some ideas i have heard were:
have a romantic dinner later when kids go to bed.  take a walk around the block if that is all you can get (with a babysitter of course lol).
wake up a bit earlier (i know its hard when tired im not talking when baby is just days or weeks old) and have coffee and talk.  preferrably about anything but kids lol.

if you need help, ask for it!! we all need it from time to time.  that is what i have.  having diapers ready is great, and having all supplies makes it easier, but after 2 kids i have realized those things arent necessities to making life better!

[PamelaBee]

I have a few...
~  Don't worry about a messy house, dirty dishes, or not having dinner ready...let someone else do it!!!!!

~  Sleep when your baby sleeps

~  Accept ALL the help offered to you, even though you don't like the person!!!