Tips for New Moms

Being pregnant probably taught you that a belly is an invitation for complete strangers (and everyone else for that matter) to stop you and give you advice. Hopefully you've gotten used to this because adding a baby or two to the equation only makes it worse!

However, some of that advice will actually be beneficial. In fact, I'm going to give you some of the best advice mother's can find. The source is also prime: other new mothers who've been there!

From Lynn Siprelle, mother of two year old Josie, and web mistress of The New Homemaker[/a]: "I wish I had told my in-laws what I really needed them to do and had been firm about it. All they really wanted to do was take the baby "so you can sleep," not understanding that in my hormonal state without the baby I couldn't sleep. What I needed them for was help with food, cleaning, laundry, making sure I didn't pass out, stuff like that. I was so sick, though, that it was really hard to ask for and get what I needed, and I was grateful that there was just someone in the house in case of emergency. The best thing I did was not worry about the house. I just let it all go to hell."

From Krista, mother of two year old Eric, 4 year old Sarah: "Don't buy too many small clothes--buy big and let your baby grow into them. Get a sling and learn how to use it. And I wish I had enjoyed the newborn period more. Even though it was hard, everyone told me it would be over before I knew it--and it was."

"For a really, really sore episiotomy try ripping up an old towel into squares. Soak them in a salt/water mix. Squeeze out excess water and pat onto episiotomy after using the toilet. I invented this when nothing else worked as relief for me. I used to let Callum continue to nurse even when I knew he had a bad latch - I didn't want him to be hungry. This was a vicious circle, bad latch led to a huge cracked nipple, more pain and me wanting to nurse less. If baby has a bad latch unlatch and keep trying. If nursing: have no formula in the house no bottles either. Ignore the clock," offers Helene, mother of Callum and another baby on the way.

"Lose weight right away! It's much harder if you wait," adds another mother.

Amanda, mom to 4 year old Pierce and soon-to-be baby offers, "Buy the incontinence pads for the first few days. They hold more and you will bleed more than you can imagine. They prevent you from doing all your sheets and night gowns in the laundry."

Find some sitters ahead of time for older children. Someone they know and trust to spend an afternoon out.

Accept offers from friends to help. Have a list of to-do items so that you don't have to remember what you need.

"While it's often said, it's rarely done - sleep when the baby sleeps. Don't feel obligated to do chores because you have a few minutes," remembers Barb, stay-at-home mom to three boys and Home Parenting Guide[/a].