Learning as a New Mom

I have been fortunate in my life to be surrounded by a loving family and especially strong women.  Women who are not only educated and successful, but are also wonderful wives and mothers.  From their examples, I knew that my academic, career and family goals could be achieved as well.  I am what most would consider a young wife and mother since I’m in my early 20’s.  After my college graduation, I married my college sweetheart and much to our surprise, we found out we were expecting soon after our honeymoon.  Our sweet baby girl arrived almost 9 months to the day of our wedding.

 

The news of finding out we were expecting came as a shock because though we had planned to have children, we thought we would have children after our careers were established.  Though we were caught by surprise, we were also delighted by the thought of being new parents.  My husband is an only child and I have one other sibling so our families and friends were overjoyed at the start of our little family.  Not many of our high school or college friends or acquaintances had children so we both relied on our parents and relatives to give us advice and support.

Being a first-time mom, I had a lot of questions about everything from pregnancy to motherhood.  I was so thankful to have a group of mothers – all related to me – that I could learn from.  Their years of wisdom and advice are absolutely invaluable to me.  You don’t realize how many thoughts, and questions go through your mind as a woman when you learn you are expecting a new baby.  Not only does your body go through a metamorphosis of change, but so does your thought process.  Among the many helpful counsel I received were four parenting nuggets that have helped me a lot.

The first parenting nugget was to hug, hold or comfort my baby as much as I wanted too.  With so many parenting books and styles, I was relieved to learn that it was ok to hug or comfort a baby as much as I thought she needed.  I couldn’t “spoil” my baby because all babies need love. The simple, loving act of hugging is proven to support babies’ emotional and physiological development.  Skin-to-skin contact reduces the stress level for parents, too, allowing them to be more attentive and receptive to baby’s needs.

I wanted to be able to use products that not only were helpful to our baby, but also products that as new parents both my husband and I could understand.  I knew from my circle of supportive women relatives that Huggies was a must-have for diapering needs, but I was very happy that every diaper the Huggies brand makes is inspired by hugs.  I wanted my new baby to feel constantly loved and hugged.

The second nugget was to read as much as you can and trust your own motherly instincts.  I am an avid reader, but even if you don’t like to read too much, when you find out you are expecting, you tend to want to absorb as much parenting information as you can.  Parenting websites, blogs, and books all become your best friends in the search of trying to be the best mother and parent you can be.  I found the Huggies website to be a great resource because not only was I able to study in-depth about their products, but they have a helpful “Mommy Answers” section.  There are many articles and videos on important topics such as a Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy (my husband enjoyed reading it with me) to Baby Milestones: Growth & Development.  The content is from real life moms and experts.  I liked that it is a useful guideline to what you can expect as a parent, but leaves room for a reader to understand that you have to trust your own common sense and learn from your own baby’s personality and health as well.

The third nugget was when the baby has stomach ailments like gas, my mom suggested laying her on her back (across my legs) and pumping her legs like a bicycle. I readily admit that at first I thought it sounded completely silly to have a newborn look like it was riding a bicycle.  However, the first time my little girl had stomach pains from gas that would not come out, I found myself pumping her little legs and she burped…big time! The method really does work!

The fourth nugget, and one of the most important, is that moms need rest too.  Lack of sleep might be one of the most difficult parts of new motherhood! As a mother, your tendency is that when baby naps, to take that opportunity to do everything else like the dirty dishes, laundry, etc.  However, moms are usually the number one caregiver for baby so they need their rest just like baby.  When baby goes down for a snooze, mom should do the same and lie down. Even if you don’t actually fall asleep, the downtime will replenish you.  The dirty dishes and laundry can wait.

As I continue on this new motherhood and parenting journey, I’m blessed to have my circle of womanly support and Huggies to come along side me so I can grow to be the best mother I can be.

Huggies^® believes deeply in the Power of Hugs. The simple, loving act is proven to support babies’ emotional and physiological well-being. Huggies^® diapers and wipes are inspired by a parent’s hug, – to nurture baby with care, cradle baby in comfort and surround baby in protection. Make sure you embrace baby’s bottom with Huggies^® Little Snugglers Diapers to deliver our best skin care to help keep baby’s skin clean and healthy. Learn more at Huggies.com. #HuggiesCouncil

Disclosure: We are part of the Huggies Parents Council and this is sponsored content in partnership with Huggies.
However, all opinions expressed here are my own.