32 First Year With Baby Tips For Overwhelmed New Moms

Overwhelmed new mom? Been there, sister. The first year with baby is HARD. There is no other way of saying it. It’s hard, and a lot of the time, it’s downright miserable.

You do not need to feel guilty if you are not enjoying the day-to-day struggle that is your new role as a mom.

You are not being ungrateful, and it does not mean that you love your baby any less.

If you are struggling, all it means is that you are human. And you are doing the best you can in this completely new situation.

A situation that no one is ever 100% prepared for.

32 First Year With Baby Tips To Help Overwhelmed New Moms

For a new mama, the first few weeks with your new baby can be both exciting and exhausting. You’re both learning about each other and you’re learning how to function as a human on just three hours of sleep.

Being a mother is one of the most beautiful things and it does come naturally to most women.

Even though this might be your first time dealing with a newborn, sooner you will realize that you are becoming an expert.

To make your transition as a new mama a lot easier, we have asked our community of moms just like you, for their advice on this matter!

Read on for 32 supportive, inspiring and resourceful first year with baby tips from other moms who’ve been there.

They got through the new baby battles, and you are going to as well.

Let’s make your first year with baby easier.

1. Babies Run On Their Own Schedule

Babies wake up every 2-3 hours those first few weeks to eat.

Nothing is wrong with you or baby, just get yourself a snack drawer and a large water bottle to combat all those night time breastfeeding sessions. – Rosaura, Crafty Mother Father

 

2. Don’t Worry About Going Back To Work If You Don’t Want To

Many moms don’t want to leave their baby at daycare yet – or ever – to have to return to work.

It is more than possible to earn a living from home! It’s a reality for many, in fact, to make much more money from home, than at a previous job.

Check out these resources to learn more:

• The Best Ways To Make Money From Home
• Simple Passive Income Ideas You HAVE To See
• 6 Work From Home Jobs Anyone Can Do

3. The days are long, but the years are short

As a new mom during the first year, you should know that is okay to ask for help. You do not need to do it all and are not expected to.

Be sure to ask for help with anything you may need. Whether it is housework, cooking, calming the baby, putting the baby to sleep, or just some ‘me’ time for yourself.

As a mom, I now understand there are no truer words than ‘The days are long, but the years are short.’

When you are in the thick of the newborn phase it seems like it is never going to end and the days last forever.

You feel like you are never again going to get a full night’s sleep again.

But I promise you, you will, and there will come a time you will miss these sleep-deprived nights.

And also always remember that you are doing an awesome job, Mama! – Heather, Embracing Chaos With Love

 

4. Hire help if possible to take care of the baby

It’s totally worth the money.

If hiring a nanny is difficult, try to arrange for some supportive friend or family member to take care of the baby from time to time.

Nothing beats extra time to yourself for sleeping or just chilling out (great for mental health).

And that can happen only if you have the peace of mind that your baby is being cared for by someone reliable.

Do whatever it takes to make you happy. Happy mom = happy kid -in the long run. – Najma, Ace fit Mom

5. Make Mom Friends

Connect with mom groups in your area, they will make all the difference to your sanity. – Christina, Life With The Days

 

6. Everything is a phase

My absolute favorite piece of parenting advice I received was this: “Everything is a phase”. It’s become a mantra and helps me through all of the new stages of new mom life.

Motherhood requires a shift in mindset and priorities. It’s important for us mamas to work on ourselves in this transformation too. – Kinzy, Coffee With Kinzy

The hard times come and go, but they often go quickly.

Do your best to follow your instincts and get into a routine with your baby as quickly as you can.

It will save you so much in the long run. – Nici, Sassy Smart And Simple

 

7. Buy Ahead

Try to buy ahead with clothing. It’s annoying when the baby wakes up and doesn’t fit in anything and you HAVE TO shop when you had other plans for the day.

Even if you just have three outfits of each size, it’s so helpful. Always get a long sleeve top, even in the summer.

When they are under three months, babies really can’t regulate their body temperature. – Amy, Needed In The Home

8. Don’t put any extra pressure on yourself

Maybe Lisa lost her baby weight in 3 weeks after birth. Maybe Sara was out and about 2 days after birth.

Don’t compare yourself with others. Your first weeks and months with baby (especially your first) are all about connecting with your baby and developing a relationship.

You don’t need to do anything but be there with your baby unless you want to!

Also, relationships take time. Don’t feel bad if you don’t connect with your baby right away! Take the time to get to know each other! – Dawn, Wild Simple Joy

 

9. Don’t Turn Down Help

Don’t turn down help, trust me you will need and want it. Take it easy, learn as you go through each experience.

When the baby falls asleep, try to get as much rest as you can. – Ashley, The Mommy Brand

 

10. Take care of yourself and be kind to your changing body

Know that whatever difficulty you are facing with your child, it will pass and change soon.

Your body is also going through a lot of changes after baby. You will want these days back, so enjoy them while you can. – Gessica, Catholic Mom Vibes

11. Slow down

I spent way too much time cleaning up after my baby when I should have been enjoying every minute watching her grow. – Heather, Very Anxious Mommy

 

12. Nothing has to be perfect

Nothing has to be perfect, go easy on yourself and your spouse.

Forgive fast, hug often, and embrace the unknown! – Kari, Money For The Mamas

 

13. Rest Whenever You Can

When people tell you to take as many naps as you can, take that advice and take every opportunity to rest.

I had a very fussy baby and he never slept. Looking back I really wish I had taken more opportunities to rest before welcoming my new bundle of joy.

Self-care is important. You cannot take care of anyone else if you are not taking good care of yourself.

This is your time.

The most important part of this experience is to enjoy being a new mother. It sounds so cliché, but our babies really do grow up so fast!

Enjoy this time and remember that this too will pass. Give yourself and others grace! That includes baby!

Candace, The Dixie Lady

 

14. You Deserve To Give Yourself Slack

Go easy on yourself. Being a new mom is so hard! The lack of sleep, the body changes, even your sense of identity gets tested!

This is the year to give yourself slack. Don’t aim for perfection, aim to survive that first year while enjoying your baby as much as possible.

It goes by faster than you realize. – Stormy, Pregnant Mama Baby Life

 

15. Postpartum Depression Is Common, And There Is Help

It’s not all butterflies and unicorns, you might be depressed for a while.  Especially after the baby is born.

Please pay close attention to your thoughts and moods and talk to your doctor if they are bothering you. Postpartum depression is real and is often overlooked.

Wella, Simply Wella

 

Don’t suffer in silence. Talk to a licensed counselor online right now, for free right here.

 

16. Ask For Help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or feel like your failing if you need to ask for help. The first year with a new baby can be hard!

Most friends and family are happy to help. Call them so you can take a nap or ask for advice.

Your significant other should be helping too! You can’t do it all.  – Amy, The Purple Monarch

 

17. You Aren’t Expected To Have All The Answers

Be kind to yourself. You won’t have all the answers and you’ll probably be scared at times that you’re doing things wrong. I promise your confidence will grow day by day. – Ashleigh, Growing Graci

 

18. Walk, walk, walk!

Although you may feel tired, try to push yourself to go for a long walk every day. Or at least 3-4 times a week.

If it’s not possible you can do some exercise using YouTube. Just make sure you do exercise as you need a lot on endorphins to cheer yourself up.

Looking after a baby is not easy, but it’s doable. It takes many sleepless nights and restless days, so a new mom should not be hard on herself.

Try to give time for yourself every now and then and just do nothing but rest. Involve your partner/spouse in your baby care.

Reach out to your family and friends if you need help around the house or even help to mind the baby for a few hours. – Devy, Thousands Of Miles Away

19. You don’t need to do it all alone

Being a new mom is a beautiful new adventure, unlike anything you have experienced before.

The one thing I have learned from bringing three amazing children into the world is that your children don’t need you to be perfect.

Giving yourself grace as a mom and taking care of yourself is the best gift you could possibly give your children.

One thing that will make mom life easier is to ask for, and be open to receiving help. You don’t have to do it all alone, Mama.

There is even a saying, “It takes a village.”Asking for help is not a weakness. It is actually a sign of unbelievable strength and courage.

Taking care of your needs will help you to feel fulfilled and enjoy the journey of motherhood.

And asking for what you need and being open to receiving is also an incredible example of self-care that you can set for your kids. – Catherine, Soul Care Mom

Don’t feel like you have to do everything yourself. Ask for help from your partner, you are in this together.

You are both responsible for caring for this child, so make sure to let your needs be known. – Bree, Baked Bree

 

20. Swaddle & Sling

Find someone who knows how to swaddle and learn to properly swaddle your baby, nice and snug.

So often when they’re crying ‘for no reason’ it’s because they’re scared and need to be tightly held again, back to that snug coziness of the womb.

Consider how popular weighted blankets have become – swaddling is the baby equivalent.

That and baby-wearing. Put a crying baby in a chest carrier or sling and walk around. Lights out, baby’s sleeping.

You can not hold a baby too much.

Babies rarely cry in cultures where they are held constantly.

Where grandparents, aunts, siblings help with holding babies.

And you can’t spoil a baby when you pay attention to their needs.

And, relax and breathe, love your baby, trust yourself and trust your instincts.

You come from a long line of women who have done this before you, and you can do this, too, mama. – Marie, Just Plain Cooking

21. Embrace This Moment

Motherhood is a lifetime, payment less job but it gives you the best period of your life. Embrace it. – Kimaya, Kimaya Kolhe

22. Follow your intuition

There’s no amount of research you can do to prepare you for motherhood. Follow your intuition. Swaddle your baby until 3 months old.

Think that they were just living inside of you, so no they’re not going to be too hot. It’s a beautiful transition to this world from the womb.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to seasoned moms.

Connect with other new moms. Most importantly, enjoy it. Everyone always tells you how fast it goes.

And when you’re sleep-deprived and your nerves are shot from listening to crying for what seems like way too long?

Slow down and hold your baby and just enjoy the sweet cuddles. – Mina, Silk & Purple

 

23. Motherhood Is A Journey

Don’t aim for perfection. Remember that motherhood is a journey, not a destination. – Michelle, Michelle Muses

 

24. Trust yourself, trust your gut

You know more than you think you do.

And know there is a LOT to learn along the way, too, so don’t be too hard on yourself. – Lauren, Sips And Sidebars

 

25. No More Mom-Shaming

Us moms come with all different styles of momming. Let’s stop the mom-shaming of those who have a different style than us. – Natalie, Mamapreneur.blog

 

26. Don’t be afraid to put baby down or let the baby cry.

It was really hard for me to understand this concept until I just had to do it.

And honestly, it helped make our life a little bit easier.

He became better at just knowing the cues and found that if he was still around in the same place that I was, he was just fine and happy.

Also, don’t let the judgments of others get to you.

You are doing great! You are the perfect mama for your baby.

Don’t doubt yourself and your abilities, you can do it! – Mallory, Beautifully Blooming

 

27. Plan Ahead

I highly recommend doing your research on topics before baby comes.

If you’re interested in sleep training, read your sleep training books now.

Breastfeeding? Take a breastfeeding class now.

The second best advice I can give is to find a community as soon as you can.

Motherhood is a huge life change. You’ll need a supportive group of friends to bounce ideas off of and share your joys and woes with.

It’s totally okay if you’re exhausted, sore, and stressed out.

However, if motherhood is overwhelming, that’s a clear sign you’re not getting the support you need and deserve.

The newborn days are precious and you deserve to enjoy them. – Erin, Blunders In Babyland

 

[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Relax and breathe, love your baby, trust yourself and trust your instincts. You come from a long line of women who have done this before you, and you can do this, too, mama.” display_tweet=”Relax and breathe, love your baby, trust yourself and trust your instincts. You come from a long line of women who have done this before you, and you can do this, too, mama.”]

 

28. Rest When The Baby Rests

The best advice I can give is rest when the baby rests. But when s/he gets a bit older, put your feet up when baby is sleeping.

The housework can wait. A happy Mum leads to a happy household.

Enjoy these precious moments in all of their ups and downs. You’ll remember them forever. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. – Emma, My Rig Adventures

 

 

29. Focus On What Matters Most

Can I suggest as new mums that we all need to chill out?

We need to stop worrying about the small things and just enjoy your time with your baby.

Expect that you will be tired, but holding your baby in your arms is what is important.

Not how tidy your house is when people visit or how much baby weight you have to lose. – Samantha, Recipe This

 

30. Roll With It

For your first year with baby, my best advice would for you to just roll with the punches.

Do not worry about yesterday’s mistakes today.

Learn to reset yourself daily. As well as, remind yourself that you are doing the best you can do and that’s what matters the most!

Don’t let the peanut gallery tell you how to be a mother.

No one is perfect, no matter how much they think they could put a filter on their imperfections. – Kayla, My Motherhood Made Easy

 

31. Don’t rush things

There is no race to get back to the way things were prior to baby, and in fact, they never will be the same.

You took nine months to grow that tiny human, give yourself grace and time to find your new normal. – Bridget, The Freelancing Mama

 

32. You Are Capable

You are beautiful, and far more capable than you can imagine right now.

This tough season being a new mom will show you what you truly are capable of.

Don’t try to do it alone.

Find a group of like-minded women to help provide the support and advice you need that fits your values and lifestyle.

Never be afraid of setting boundaries or saying no if anything doesn’t feel right. – Nicole, nikkygraber.com

First Year With Baby Tips For Overwhelmed New Moms – Conclusion

When it comes to motherhood, it’s really all about getting to know about your newborn baby and yourself as a new mama.

Throughout your motherhood, you will learn what works best for your child and what doesn’t work.

The hacks we shared above should be able to help you transition smoothly into this new journey as a new mother.

Make sure you are taking care of yourself too!