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Welcoming your first child comes with a mixed bag of emotions - feeling out of depth on just how to approach caring for your newborn might be one of them.
And with many new parents not able to get support from loved ones thanks to the pandemic, the journey has become that much harder.
Thanks to the internet, however, there is a digital village more than willing to assist, even if only in the form of words of advice.
And who better to ask than those who have already walked the treacherous path of first-time parenthood and lived to tell the tale?
We asked our readers to provide the best advice they received when they first became parents, and they did not disappoint, providing both practical and insightful advice on how to approach parenting the first time around.
Here's a look at what they said.
Also read: Time to de-clutter? Three things new mothers should get rid of immediately
Practical advice...
"Never breastfeed a baby laying on your side, sit up straight support your back with a pillow, hold the baby then she's ready for feeding".
"Never wake the baby up to change their diaper".
"Do not allow anyone in your baby's space until they've grown enough".
Also see: The first-time dad guide: Everything you need to know before welcoming your little one
Words to live by...
"Do it YOUR way. And don't compare milestones with other babies...all babies are different".
"Be careful who you go to for advice".
"Trust your instincts; you know more than you think you do. Plus, my word of advice now: hold your baby as much as you want. It does not spoil them but soothes them and builds their confidence!"
"The advice I always pass on is that there are no perfect parents; we are all trying to do our best!"
Always remember...
"Accept help! Letting someone else hold or feed your baby doesn't make you a bad mom".
"You absolutely don't have to enjoy every second of it; it is 100% okay to love your baby, but do not like the current situation you are in (sleep deprivation, emotional rollercoaster, postpartum depression, etc.)... it's okay to want help, and it's okay to feel like you aren't supermom".
"Shower that baby with love and take very good care".
What was the best piece of advice you got as a first-time parent?
Chatback:
Share your stories and questions with us via email at chatback@parent24.com. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
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