I get it. I have been there. As soon as people find out you are pregnant the unsolicited advice and old wives tales start flowing!
I asked some of the top experts in the pregnancy/postpartum/babies field and what their top 1-2 tips for new moms were. Trust me when I say this is the best use of your time before your new baby comes, not Pinteresting baby shower themes or nursery designs…but I get it, that is pretty fun to do.
Top 10 Tips from psychologists, dietitians, naturopathic doctors, pelvic floor physiotherapists, birth educations, child safety experts, and PhD’s.
- Changing Family Dynamics- Talk about your expectations and wishes for how to handle family members. Ideally, you could have this conversation before the birth of your baby. Decide together what your boundaries look like, who will communicate them, and what the consequences are if those boundaries/wishes are not respected- Dr Tracy D., Psychologist
- Tantrums- Check yourself before you wreck yourself: become aware of why this is so triggering and hard for you- Bryanna Kappadakunnel, Conscious Mommy, Physcotherapist
- Unmedicated Birth- My number one tip for the mom that wants an unmedicated birth in the hospital is to labor at home as long as you can. The longer you are in the hospital the more opportunities there are for unnecessary interventions and interruptions to your birth hormones, plus you’re more comfortable at home. Lizzie Bolliger, Birth Educator.
- Breastfeeding and Food Allergies- Always trust your instincts! If you feel that something is wrong, continue to push for answers and support-Dr Trillitye Paulin, PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Nutrition in Pregnancy- Make sure to eat every 2-3 hours throughout the day and to pair a protein/healthy fat with your carbohydrate source- Haley Miskowiec, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- Use Mama Mantras to Validate Your Experience and Emotions- A good example is: Having a bad moment does not make me a bad mom- Chelsea Bodie & Caitlin Slavens, Registered Psychologists.
- Pelvic Floor Health- Constipation is a huge problem in pregnancy and postpartum. It is also a totally missed clear barrier when it comes to optimizing pelvic health. From straining behaviors to physiological resorption of toxic compounds that are not excreted - addressing constipation and ensuring optional bowel habits are in place is a key. Dr Sinead Dufour PhD- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist, Associate Clinical Professor
- Starting Solids- Offer foods when they aren't too hungry and not too tired. Imagine you had to learn how to bite, chew and swallow all while being hungry and tired (not an ideal combo). Angela Wallace, Registered Dietitian
- Food Allergy Prevention- Wash your hands after eating. and before changing your baby. A baby's skin is very sensitive, and the easiest way to damage a baby's skin is to hold them or change them with food or other chemicals on your hands. Meenal Lele, Founder and CEO of Lil Mixins
- Babyproofing- It’s never too early to start thinking about babyproofing, especially in a time of supply chain shortages! My most crucial places to start: anchoring your furniture and installing baby gates. Don’t wait until your baby is mobile, get ahead of them by doing it early! Holly Choi, Co-owner Safe Beginnings First Aid
If you enjoyed these tips and want to learn more, join the waitlist for The New Mama Summit for 4 days of FREE expert, science-baked advice to support your journey into new motherhood.
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Dr. Alexis
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