New Mom? Here are 37 useful pieces of wisdom from our advisors and other parent insiders that are sure to come in handy.
Becoming a parent can be a bit overwhelming, especially when advice pours in from all directions. That's why we've compiled this quick tips guide from well-known parents and experts to help you get started and give you the confidence you need to take on your new role.
Best expert parenting advice ever
1. Live in the moment. You have the right to stop worrying about your list – washing clothes, pumping, buying diapers – and learn to be with your baby. Enjoy your precious moments together. -Wayne Fleisig, Ph.D
2. Relax with your toddler meal. Expect strange eating habits. Available in a variety. Don't be impulsive, don't panic. They eat when they're hungry. —Connie Diekman, RD, Washington University, St. Louis
3. Insist on going to bed early. Your child will get the sleep he needs and you will get recharged. —Jody Mindel, Ph.D., author of Sleepless Nights
4. Say no. The more you can decline a request that is not in your child's best interest, the less often you will need to do so. When your child wants to buy a box of ice cream, you can say no once at the supermarket, or you can say it every night when that box of ice cream is in the refrigerator at home. —David Ludwig, MD, Ph.D., author of Ending the Food Wars
5. Create mini traditions. The night before your child's birthday, hang balloons around the kitchen table so she can wake up on a special day. Make funny sounds when it's just you and your kids in the elevator. Create a handshake that only they know – and save it to the moment that matters. —Harley A. Rotbart, M.D., author of Parenting Without Regrets
6. Prepare for sick leave. Stock up on some rehydration drinks, such as Pedialyte, Gatorade or Vitamin Water, so you don't have to run to the store in the middle of the night when your baby vomits. —Wendy Huter, M.D., Laddy Children's Hospital, University of California, San Diego
7. Get to know your child. Each child is a unique combination of strength and challenge. Try to adjust your reaction to fit the child in front of you. —Irene Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., author of Smart Parenting for Smart Kids
8. Find your crew. Identify the people you can call when you need to vent – they give their opinions when you offer an opinion, they shut up when you don't, they give up anything for you and your family (and vice versa). Strive to love them and thank them often. —Lacey Dunkin, single mother of six
9. Remember that you are a role model. Make mom look attractive to your child so she will want kids and you can one day be grandparents. If you're always feeling stressed, pouting, or fussing, she won't be motivated to be a parent herself. —Wendy Mogel, Ph.D., author of The Blessing of skinning the Knee
10. Let your partner take over. He's all in, so he's encouraged to take charge of bathing, reading, or prone time (or both). They are great contact activities and a chance for you to catch your breath. —David L. Hill, M.D., author of Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro
11. Talk about money decisions. Explain your thoughts to your child when you buy a brand of cheese because it's cheaper (and just as good), or choose to transfer your favorite wallet to "until it's discounted". —Farnoosh Torabi, mom of two, host of the SoMoney podcast
12. Read to your child every day. It helps build imagination and the time is well spent. —Kristen Holbaum, mom of two, author of The Slow Force
13. Small and big changes. Bottle to straw cup? Sleeping in a crib? Sure, you want these transitions to go smoothly and quickly, but it can be overwhelming for your child. Let him play with a new cup, or sit on a new bed and read a book together first. Once he gets used to the new sensory experience, you can officially switch. —Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., Director of the Institute of Child Psychology
14. Help your baby fall asleep on his own. Feed her at the beginning of your bedtime routine. After taking a shower, reading a book, and hugging, let her go while she was sleepy but still awake. If you feed her or shake her to sleep, she always needs your help to doze off. --Dr. Ming Minger
15. Do housework. Have your child empty bins, make beds, set tables and pack toys at home. Helping with housework builds self-esteem because you trust them to get the job done. —Martin R. Eichelberger, M.D., Global Child Safety, National Medical Center for Children
16. Trust your instincts. Even if you can't diagnose something wrong when your child feels unwell, your intuition will tell you he needs an exam. —Ali Brown, M.D., author of Baby 411
17. Don't be a housekeeper. Your child is born capable. Get them into the habit of hanging their jackets in closets and putting dirty clothes in baskets so you don't have to. —Dr. Mogel
18. When you are wrong, admit it. If you messed up with your child (or your partner), apologize. This will tell your child that as long as you admit your mistake and say sorry, you can make a mistake. —Alice Domar, Ph.D., author of The Search for Peace for Expectant Mothers
19. Give yourself some time. When you feel angry, you are unlikely to respond to your child in a beneficial way. You don't have to react immediately. A short break can help you settle down and think about problems. —Dr. Kennedy Moore
20. Promote harmony between brothers and sisters. At dinner, have each child take turns saying where he liked his brother or sister that day. This helps children look for the positive side of their siblings rather than the negative side. --Lacey Dunkin
21. Open the window from the top. Turn your child off and lock it at the bottom to eliminate the risk of your child falling. And don't trick her into climbing by placing low furniture underneath. - Doctor Hunter
22. Be like a Boy Scout, get ready. Never leave home without changing at least one piece of clothing for each toddler. - Doctor Hill
23. Beware of humble parents. Relax when acquaintances brag about their talented or talented children. They are likely to be exaggerating or lying. —Dr. Mogel
24. Tell "age stories". At bedtime, have your child choose a number that is younger than your current age. Then tell her some interesting things that happened to you at that age. —Dale McGowan, father of three, author of Raising Free Thinkers
25. Put down your phone. When you are with your child, the phone call/text/email can wait. They know when you're not paying attention. —David Fassler, MD, author of Help Me, I'm Sad: Identifying, Treating, and Preventing Depression in Children and Adolescents
26. No ceiling. Try to go out together for at least a few minutes a day and move under the sky. This is an opportunity to escape screens and sedentary activities and establish a rain or shine ritual that will benefit your child for the rest of their lives. —Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, author of MamaDocMedicine: Finding Peace and Confidence in Parenting
27. Pretend to be stupid. Life may be too serious. Have your kids see you laughing, grimace, and chase them around the house saying, "I'll catch you!" —Dr. Domar
28. Walk instead of by car. Use your legs to make short legs and play nearby. As you walk with your kids, talk, play "My Spy," or jump over cracks in the sidewalk together. —Dr. Robart
29. Be a parent, not a friend. Your job is not welcome. Your child may not always like you right now. But deep down, they'll love you forever because you set clear expectations. —Dr. Eichelberg
30. Make math more fun. Take every opportunity to play with numbers, sizes, and shapes. Count when you put oranges and apples in a bag at the grocery store. Ask your child which cereal box is the highest. Indicates the circle in the clock and the rectangle in the window. —Deborah Stipek, Ph.D., author of Motivating Minds: Cultivating Children's Love of Learning
31. Follow your rules. But first, make sure they're fair. --Dr. Domar
32. Let's dance. When you're tired of pouring out endless demands, turn on some music and get away with the day. When you relax (watch your kids dance), it's hard not to laugh. --Lacey Dunkin
33. Answer endless "why" questions. It's easier said than done, but young children are curious about everything in their world. If you stop responding to their inquiry, they may stop asking. —Raquel D'Apice, founder of the TheUglyVolvo blog
34. Back up your photos and videos. You don't want to lose irreplaceable digital memories. Invest in backup hard drives or cloud services. —Darshak Sanghavi, MD, author of Children's Maps
35. Show your child how to say hello to people. Teach your child to make eye contact, smile, and greet new people in a variety of environments. Then let her give it a try. You only have one chance to make a first impression. —Fayede Muyshondt, mum of two, 32-year-old founder of Socialsklz : -) Success
36. Focus on gratitude. Create the term BPOD (the best part of the day) and review it every night. Reflecting on the good is a lovely practice that fosters joy and optimism. —Dr. Swanson
37. Come on, talk endlessly. Let your child know how much you love him through your words and deeds and what you think is special about him. —Dr. Fresig