13 Things Baby Books Don't Tell You (but Should)
With all the available parenting books, you'd think moms-to-be would be completely prepared for pregnancy and the life that follows it. Well, you'd be wrong. Although these sources tackle a lot of topics between the first trimester and final push, there are a few key points they tend to exclude. And they just so happen to be ones that would make a new mom's life much easier. Here, some information you won't find when flipping through What to Expect When You're Expecting.
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How to function on little to no sleep.
Between 3 a.m. feedings and hours spent coaxing the little one to bed, new moms are lucky if they get a solid hour of shut-eye.
What you actually need to buy for baby.
Or at the very least, products you can wait to purchase.
How to go to the bathroom after giving birth.
Whether you suffer from epidural side effects or pain in your pelvis, your first few trips to the commode will be a challenge. To make the "movement" easier, eat high-fiber foods, drink plenty of water, and take comfort in the fact that it does get easier.
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How to look put together after giving birth.
Your baby won't be the only one getting her photo taken that day.
How to take the best baby photos.
We know what types of photos to take, but there is only so much you can do with an iPhone.
How to decipher your baby's cries.
It would be so much easier to deal with their tears if we knew what our babies wanted.
How to change a diaper without getting peed or pooped on.
Because no parent should have to stop and change themselves.
When to call the doctor and when to deal with it yourself.
It's easy for new moms to turn into hypochondriacs . . . especially with WebMD. But sometimes a cough is just a cough.
How to move a sleeping baby from the car to the house without waking him.
All it takes is a tiny shake to wake a baby from his slumber.
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How to ignore judgmental moms.
There will be plenty of them in your parks, playgrounds, and playgroups. And while a witty comeback may seem like the best approach, sometimes it's best to just let it go.
How to get your partner to help more.
They helped make the baby, so it's only fair that they help take care of her, too.
How to cope with mom guilt.
No woman should ever think she's the worst mother.
How much life will change after baby arrives.
Actually, this may be the one thing a book can't prepare you for. But we promise that it's all (mostly) amazing.