Explore 5 Hidden Realities of Being a New Parent | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Featured

5 Things No One Told You About Being a New Parent

Health & Wellness

28
Being a New Parent

No matter how much you try to prepare yourself for having your first baby, the reality will always surprise you.

Parenting is a journey of transformation. It will test you, and you'll find that you're far more capable than you ever thought you were. To help you create a state of zen around the concept of parenting, here are five things that no one told you about being a new parent.

You Can Rely on Wake Windows for Better Sleep

If you've never heard of wake windows, you will love how this simple knowledge helps your baby sleep better throughout the day and night. Wake windows are essentially a timetable for how long your baby can stay awake before needing to go down for a nap to recharge, and these timetables are based on the age of your child.

For example, if you're trying to understand a 6 month old sleep schedule, you can rely on a wake window of two to two-and-a-half hours. That means that your baby can stay awake for a maximum of two-and-a-half hours before needing a nap or going to bed for the night.

Wake windows are essential because they help you avoid overstimulating your baby. When your infant is overtired, it can be extremely difficult to help them get the rest they need.

Your Baby Will Cry Sometimes (And That's Okay)

You may hear the advice that it's okay to let your baby cry sometimes, but it's worth repeating here. The fact is that you may need to put your baby down in a safe place at times and walk away for a minute.

Maybe you have to take an emergency trip to the bathroom, or maybe you need to take dinner out of the oven or answer the door. You might even need a five-minute breather if you've had a rough day. As long as you demonstrate to your baby that they are safe and loved, then you don't have to panic every time they cry.

You Need Fewer Toys and More Clothes

Baby toys might seem like the cutest things in the world, but you don't need to go overboard for your infant. Instead, stock up on more clothes than you think you need. As your baby grows, you will find out what kind of toys they gravitate to, and you can add the items you think will grab the most attention.

When it comes to clothes, your baby will likely go through far more outfits in a day than you are expecting. It's better to overprepare than run out of clothes when you need a new outfit.

You Should Take Time To Get To Know Your Baby

Some parents may tell you that they fell in love with their baby instantaneously, but you should actually take time to get to know your baby as an individual. Being a new parent is not only overwhelming, but it's also taxing on your emotional and physical wellbeing. Don't feel guilty if you can't express an instant connection with your new infant.

Consider this new relationship like you would any other and take the time to observe your baby's temperament, likes, and dislikes. This will not only help you feel closer to your child, but it will also give you the insight you need to be the best parent possible.

Your Baby Will Always Be an Individual (And That's a Good Thing)

It's tempting to compare your child with others when it comes to development and reaching milestones, but your baby will always be an individual. Babies are just tiny people, and all people are different. It's easy to celebrate the differences that make adults unique, and you should also do the same thing for your child.

The most important thing you can do as a new parent is learn to listen to your intuition. You have a bond with your baby that is unlike any other, and you can trust that your parenting instincts will develop with time. In the meanwhile, it's okay to ask for a little extra support.

Report this Content
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

2681
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree Lights
Pixabay

It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.

1. The Christmas decorations

I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with santa hat
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter

Keep Reading...Show less
mistake
Project Eve

Mistakes are something we all make, no matter how old we get. Most of the time, the mistakes we made are little and sometimes due to something out of our control. Yet, there are mistakes that are bigger than others. Personally, I have mistakes that I wish I could go back and undo. Here they are:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

13512
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments