Everyone has advice to give when we find out someone is going to be a mom (or dad). And most of us have advice to give to those who we think need to hear our sacred knowledge. I can say, with honesty, that I’m guilty of giving my unwanted knowledge to both new and old moms. I have a friend due with a girl in two months and I told her she needs to have a boy name just in case. My nephew was suppose to be a girl. Back in 93′. Sound advice in my mind. This was a Facebook conversation but I’m sure if she could have pushed the ‘whatever’ emoji she would have. See. Giving sounds advice to all moms just happens!
Make lists or have a journal. Even if you don’t execute anything on that list the next day you’ll have them out of your jumbled mind. You can take another step and order your list with the top three things to accomplish each day. That’s a number that’s doable and you’ll feel great as your list gets smaller each day.
Have a date night in. My husband and I NEED date nights. We are better parents when we spend a little time away from our kids. Although we don’t get out much, we also have date night ins where we have a special dinner after the kids go to bed (usually earlier than normal) and watch a movie or play cards etc. Making that extra effort for each other makes us feel better and blows off steam if we’ve had a rough day or week.
Go on a girl’s night out (or in). We need some extra time to be us and not mom. Yes. I know. ‘But I am a mom’. Of course, you are but if you liked to play cards on Friday nights or bowl on Thursdays BEFORE you became a mom try to do it again. I’m a reasonable person and know it can’t happen each week but even a walk around the neighborhood for 20 min. can clear your head. Or going to the grocery store alone with your favorite audiobook or playlist on your phone. I love earphones!
Let kids be kids. I’ve learned to let my kids roam the playground and not hover. (Except when I’m taking pictures or pushing them on the swings) This also gives me a few minutes to just sit there and relax. Don’t forget to smile to that other mom across the playground, it was probably a rough morning for her also.
Ask for help. This could be a simple ‘Can you run to the store and pick up pickles’ to ‘I really need a break, he’s been crying nonstop for an hour’ especially if you’re baby is colicky. Gerber® Soothe Colic Drops are ideal for breastfed babies and Gerber® Good Start® Soothe Infant Formula is ideal for fed formula babies. I know it’s hard asking for that lifeboat but it will give you a much-needed jump start to come back focused. We ALL need breaks. Colic is usually when a healthy baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for over 3 weeks. It usually starts in the first few weeks of life. Babies may experience increased crying in the evening and at night.
Crying is a way for babies to express how they feel. All babies cry. It’s natural. In their first year of life, babies are learning to communicate, and crying is a way for them to express themselves. However, some babies can cry for long periods of time without responding to your usual comforting methods. This can happen even if they are not hungry, too cold or warm and everything seems well. Among the reasons for excessive crying is digestive discomfort, and Infantile colic is a symptom of digestive discomfort.
Comforting probiotics are a great way to improve the good bacteria in baby’s digestive system, which helps promote digestive comfort.
GERBER Soothe products (drops and powder formula) contain L. reuteri, a comforting probiotic that is safe for infants and similar to those found in breastmilk.
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