From the moment a woman conceives a child, a couple’s life fills with excitement and happiness. It’s a blessing to bring life to this Earth.
Becoming a parent is a privilege in itself. There is this life that you have created. And you feel responsible for it.
When this little world enters your life, you bring a lot of changes to your lifestyle. All you want is the best in the universe for your dear child.
Parenting comes with a responsibility for a lifetime. You have the liability of grooming your child so that they turn into assets for society.
If you are a new parent looking for some guidelines, here are 10 important tips that will help you in your new journey.
Divide Responsibilities
There are a lot of tasks involved in child care right from feeding him to changing his nappies. Divide these responsibilities wisely between you and your partner. Take the help of other people wherever you can.
Do not assume all the work by yourself because if you do so, you will end up tiring yourself a lot and there are chances of quality going down.
Parents are partners in grooming a child. They should share equal responsibilities and if not, at least the other half should get some help.
Sharing your child’s responsibilities will strengthen your bond and it is the foundation of successful parenting.
Make a room for your child’s accessories
Your child has a lot more accessories than you and your partner combined. Avoid making heaps of his nappies on a chair in your room or situation where his toys are scattered all over the place.
It is always a good decision to stay organized with baby accessories. You should create enough space in your room or anywhere else where you can easily store all your belongings.
Only when you have organized your child’s stuff well, you will be able to find it easily when in need, and remember a child is not patient.
Keep a record of the Vaccination Schedule
Taking your child for vaccines and being extremely cautious about it is a sign that you are performing your responsibilities really well.
Keep a record by setting reminders about your child’s vaccination schedule. This is very important for building your child’s immunity. Make sure you never delay his vaccinations.
Apply a cool wet cloth at the injection spot if your child is uncomfortable after vaccination and give him a lot of liquids.
Keep everything clean and hygienic
Babies have a tendency of putting their toys or whatever is around them in their mouths. Make it a habit to sanitize his toys and other accessories on a regular basis.
Keep his clothes and diapers always washed with mild detergents. Sanitize his crib as well.
Follow hygienic practices as much as possible because babies are easy targets for infections and contaminations. This is a major lifestyle change that new parents have to bring. You can no longer be carefree in keeping hygiene around you.
Keep a check at night
Try to check your little one at regular intervals when asleep. This is to ensure that his diaper is not wet and he is sleeping peacefully.
Remember the better he sleeps, the faster he grows. Take turns checking your baby and keep the room temperature favorable for him.
Keep his night dresses warm and comfortable and a massage before putting him to bed will get him a sound sleep.
Stay Relaxed
Your body will need adequate sleep and rest to perform its functions well. Make sure you get enough bedtime and you don’t over-exhaust yourself.
Keep calm while you are still in the process of learning how to deal with a baby. Do not panic unnecessarily. Everything will fall into place in some time and your calm attitude.
Listen to soft music or go for a walk or a drive to release your stress and fatigue.
Plan your budget
You will have to redesign the structure of your budget and cut unnecessary expenses. One of the responsibilities of a parent is to ensure the financial security of his child.
Start saving not only for your child’s present needs but for his future requirements as well.
Put down your phone
After becoming parents, you will be required to keep all your focus on your child and when you find time, on yourself. There will be so much on your list that you definitely can’t afford to distract yourself.
You have no idea how your child can surprise you when you are on your phone.
Also if you are always busy clicking pictures, you might lose the charm of living in the moment.
Diapering
Changing diapers is a challenge for new parents but don’t worry you will soon get accustomed to it. Take turns in changing diapers.
Also make sure you wipe the child with a wet cloth or cotton balls or child wipes after each bowel movement, gently.
Ensure proper hygiene to keep your child safe from infections.
Don’t lose your sense of humor
Often new parents get so carried away in the process of nurturing their young one, that they end up losing their charm.
You can only make a baby happy when you are happy. Losing yourself will not keep you enthusiastic in the long run. Eventually, you will get tired because parenting is not a part-time job, it is an ongoing service that will bring you returns in the long run.
Final advice for new parents!
Being a parent is an overwhelming feeling. You grow with a child and get to live your long-lost childhood with them. You get to be a part of your partner’s childhood, you otherwise were not.
Nurturing a child is a heavy job and it undoubtedly requires a lot of energy and years of your life. As you step into this phase of your life, prepare yourself to be a lot more patient and compassionate not only with your child but with your other half as well.