Advice for first time moms

My first bit of advice is something that happened to my sister while at the hospital after having my niece. The nurses didn't give her anything for pain or give her an ice pack to sit on. I couldn't believe it. I would recomend using a towel or something soft between your skin and the ice pack the last thing you want is your skin sticking to the ice pack! It's a really weird feeling but doing that the first few hours after birth every 30 min if you can stand it really helps! Pack scratch mittens or a pair of socks just for your little ones hands! All 3 of my kids were born with nails that were really long but the skin under the nail was so new they couldn't be cut because it was attached very closly to the end of the nail really weird I know so my only option was to put mittens on their hands! Don't be afraid to ask the nurses any questions you might have while at the hospital if your in pain take the meds! Have your birth plan ready written out because when you get to the hospital you might be in to much pain to tell the nurses and Dr's what you want. My mom always knew mine and would make sure she told everyone who entered the room another reason she won't be at this birth lol! Diaper rash! My best piece of advice is to use a rash cream and put powder over top putting powder over it makes sure the cream stays on babies bum and doesn't stick to the diaper! Of course you will just finish getting the new diaper the cream and the powder on and your little one will poop again. If your out the best you can do is clean them up as much as possible but if your at home give them a bath and wash everything off! Letting their bum air dry and get fresh air will help as well! Sleepless nights are going to happen where you've done everything possible and your little one is still crying that's when I would put them in the swing and sleep on the couch until the next feeding! Do whatever you have to! Mommy instincts. You might not think this is something you have but you really do. If you think your baby is sick or needs to be seen by a Dr take them in right away even if other people tell you it's nothing. A good example is my sister she was 5 and was crying and banging her head on the floor my mom took her to the hospital where they told her she's having a tantrum go home my mom wouldn't take that as an answer and took her to Childrens Hospital 2 hours away where she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. How did that happen! Always know that no matter how much you prepare and try to prevent somthing from happeneing there will always be something that will happen! Getting a hold of a razor and cutting their fingers breaking a hot water cooler and burning their fingers until they are blistered and getting into pills thinking they are candy yes all things my kids have done! My last bit of advice is to love cuddle and enjoy every second you can with them because before you know it they will be turning 7 like my daughter is soon and you will look at them and wonder where the time has gone!

Thanks!

There are two topics that I wish I would have known more about.

1. Limit the amount of people that come to the hospital. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings so I allowed everyone to be there. My DH's father was adamant about being there when the baby was born, which was fine, but I was being induced at 40 weeks and had not progressed at all. I told them it would be a while and we would call them, but he did not listen. They came up to the hospital and remained in my room all night and day until I had my DS. I was so uncomfortable. Then after that baby was here we had non-stop visitors’ every day, all day long. I know that I should have been grateful but when you have visitors all day you get NO rest and you really need it. This time around I am asking that everyone come after the baby gets here and I giving a time period. I did not get an immediate bond with my DS because there were so many people there to see him right away. This might seem harsh, but you can't get a redo!

2. Post Partum Depression: I had little knowledge on this topic because I felt as though I would never have this because I had wanted a child for so long... I was WRONG. Just know that you cannot control your hormones after childbirth and that you are not the only one suffering for this condition. Please, please tell someone how you are feeling. Do not try to hide it and pretend everything is ok. Your doctor should be able to give you some great advice or even medicine to help you cope. I was very lucky to have my mother and husband that understood it and made sure every step of the way that I was ok.

Thank you for starting this sticky. I feel like everyone wants to scare us about everything. All the advice we get is "Oh you will never sleep again" and my Dad told SO that I will be like the devil in the delivery room. I love my Dad, but really?
I really enjoy reading all of your advice so keep it coming ladies!