Trust Your Own Instincts, Mama

Go With Your Gut

When you have a baby everyone will start giving you advice. Much of it will be unwanted. Some of it will be useful, but sadly a lot of it will be opinion - especially from well-meaning mothers, grandmothers and aunts. 

If you hear something that could affect the health and well-being of your child it’s important to check in with your pediatrician. But most importantly, go with your gut. It might be hard to hear it through all of the well-meaning noise, but listen for it.

It’s OK to Make Your Own Rules

Don’t concern yourself with the possibility of potentially hurting the feelings of those giving advice. It’s okay to tell them that you’d rather not do something - simply because you don’t want to do it - or that you’d rather talk to your pediatrician first. 

It is true that some might get their feelings hurt, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.  And beyond that, each mother's intuition about her own child is probably most accurate.

Your Mother Means Well

As a brand-new mother, you may feel unsure of yourself and even your own mom can intimidate you enough to make you feel even worse. 

Take heart that she doesn’t mean to. She’s simply sharing with you what was popular when you were a baby. But, one thing about science is that as more is learned, advice changes. It’s best to use the most up-to-date information available to you. Be kind to people when they give you advice, but if it feels wrong, don’t do it.

Experts Don’t Know Everything

No matter what the so-called experts say, as long as it doesn’t have to do with medication or something that can endanger your baby, you need to do what feels right to you as a parent. 

You are born with some form of motherly instinct that might feel a little foreign at first but the more you trust it, the better.

Babies Aren’t Babies Forever

The time is going to pass by in the blink of an eye. Do everything you can to simply enjoy your infant. You can’t hold them too much, you cannot spoil an infant. But, it’s also okay to put your baby down so you can take a shower, or do something for yourself. Just remember how fast this time will go. 

People live most of their lives as adults away from their parents. You have only a short time with them in this way. Everyone and everything else can wait.

If You Need Help, Ask for It

There is no shame in asking for help. If you feel at any point in time that you could be suffering from depression or something is wrong with your baby, do not be afraid to ask for help. 

The best thing you can do is reach out to others, including your spouse, your family, your friends and your doctors. This support system is there to help you. You are not alone.

Raising a child starts with caring for a baby, and ends with them becoming responsible adults in their own rights. The time goes by quickly, but it’s important to always trust your own instincts and stick to your own values, even when it’s hard. If you think it’s wrong, it’s wrong. You’re the parent now.