Sage Advice From An Average Mom

“I received a free sample of Gerber® Good Start® Soothe infant formula or Gerber® Soothe probiotic colic drops from Gerber®. My thoughts and opinions are my own.”

We all have sage advice to give when we find out someone is going to be a mom (or dad). And most of us have sage advice to give moms who we think need to hear our ‘sage’ advice. 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 twins next month and I’m so excited to hold those babies that I’ve pretty much told her she needs to have a date night the day they are born! See. Completely sound advice in my mind. I will tell you I got the crazy side eye. You know the one. The ‘is she serious? I’m never leaving these precious angels and certainly not with the likes of you’. Not that I’m crazy (I’m really not) but a new mom thinks everyone’s crazy.

Here’s my sage advice from an average mom:

Make a list. It doesn’t even need to be a long to-do list but a small piece of paper to jot down your thoughts and feelings. I find this helpful to do right before I go to bed. Even though I didn’t accomplish anything immediately, I can go to sleep knowing I have a plan tomorrow. Which certainly won’t get executed but I get an ‘A’ for effort.

Go on a date night. Sometimes we need to unwind and just hang with adults every once in awhile to stay sane. I’m not going to lie. You will talk about the object of you affection that currently makes you insane, and miss them terribly. And you’ll have so many feels leaving them the first time, even if it’s your fourth kid. But you’ll also feel better for taking that breather later on.

Go on a girl’s night out (or in). Again, sometimes 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 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.

Let kids be kids. Sometimes we hover. Guilty. But I’ve learned to let my kids roam the playground and not to be their shadow. (Except when I’m taking pictures) This also gives me a few minutes to read a book, answer emails, or talk on the phone to a friend. 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 iInfantile 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.

Gerber has different experts available (Registered Dietitians, Certified Lactation Consultant and Certified Baby Sleep Consultant) to answer any questions or if you need to talk. Gerber.com/experts or at 1-800-203-4565.