Grandma’s are often asked about all sorts of things. What was the price of things when we were younger, how did “you and Grandpa meet” and if we had electricity. But, turns out we’re good for more than that and just awesome (albeit sometimes outdated Christmas presents), we’re also good for the best hugs…and the best advice. So listen up to grandma’s advice for new parents.
Advice For First Time Parents
The first thing you need to know is that everything you’re feeling now is absolutely normal. You’re not the first person to feel this way and running around like a crazy person doesn’t make you a better parent. Grandmas know that it’s scary and exciting and frightening all at once, but we also know that it’s all going to be ok. Those nerves are good things, it’s part of the human beings process. Those nerves are designed to keep us on our feet, so in the right doses they’re incredibly useful.
You will never be able to “everything proof” your home and spaces but making every effort prior to baby arriving will go a long way to giving you and your newborn the best chance of success. Trust your instinct, learn as much as you can and call on the resources available to you.
Babies Are Stronger Thank You Think
One of the most beautiful moments for a parent is having their newborn wrap their palms around the parent’s finger. it’s actually a reflex. It’s called “the palmers grip” and that little grip can support their whole body weight, something not many grown-up humans can do. This means that while you need to be taking care and staying vigilant, don’t worry so much. Babies can handle quite a bit. But keep a list of emergency contacts on the fridge door, just in case. If you needed more proof that your baby is a little super-human, babies can distinguish the difference between a happy dogs bark and angry dog barks. Up to six months old, that is.
Keep Your Cool When Baby Won’t Stop Crying
Sometimes things are going to go wrong. No matter what is happening around you, you have to remember to keep your cool but how do you remain calm when your baby won’t stop crying? We are programmed to react when hearing a baby cry. It’s hardwired into us as humans (this is why we instinctively want to reach out to a crying baby on the train or a plane), a crying baby activates our auto-sympathetic responses. But it’s important to remember that babies tune into us and our moods and if we’re panicked and stressed out, they will feel it too.
No one really knows why sometimes babies just cry, it doesn’t always mean that there is something seriously wrong with your baby or that your baby is in imminent danger. So take a few minutes to regroup, freshen up, calm your breathing and then return to the baby and try soothing them again. In fact, sometimes walking away for a couple of minutes is just what baby needs.
Put your baby down into the crib, and walk away for a couple of minutes to collect yourself. They’re going to be fine and so will you. Take deep even breaths and remember, your baby loves you – they’re just having a tough time, soon – those cries will be a distant memory.
Turn Baby’s Room Into A Sleep Sanctuary
Far from just being easy on the eye, a calm temperature-controlled (baby-proofed) space that’s set up for a great nights sleep will help keep your baby calmer during wake hours and will help them heal faster when they’re feeling ill. Make sure your baby’s crib is set up correctly, with no excessive pillows, blankets or sleep-aids – these don’t actually do anything and can also be a suffocating hazard. Position the crib away from direct sunlight or open windows and make sure you’ve considered crib bumper safety.
Soft lighting and gentle, natural scents will compliment the space and make sure that you have a section of the room that is prepped for nighttime pillow parades. Keep a good stock of diapers, ready-made bottles, clean clothes a fresh pacifier and the like. When you’re doing the one hand baby handler trick you’re going to want to have this process as easy as possible.
But more than anything, remember that as new parents you’re equipped with thousands of years of human evolution, we’ve successfully raised children for millennia and you’re going to be no different. When all is said and done remember that there are always good times at Grandmas house.
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