Thank you Moonlight Slumber for sponsoring this post!
It has been six months with this little squish and I can hardly believe it! She is starting to look less like a newborn and more like a toddler and I feel like the time has gone by in a blink. I am now one of those stereotypical moms who rave about the days being long and the years being short. At the halfway mark of one year, I thought I would take a quick look back on what I have learned since becoming a mama.
Trust your Mama Gut
I’ll start with this. There is so much information out there and everyone has opinions about raising babies. The truth of the matter is that every baby is different and so is every parent! Listen to the advice around you, research things, but trust that mama gut. Learning your baby and their cues will help you take care of them & raise them well!
Stay Calm
Life is different as a parent and things can be stressful at times. It is easy to get flustered or anxious when they are upset but that will just pass on to them. I had to learn to calmly tell Hilde I was getting ready to feed her instead of being frantic trying to get ready for her. Baby’s pick up on the emotions in the household and it really does make a different when mom & dad are calm and collect.
Bed Time is to be Honored
When she was little she could sleep anywhere at anytime but at about 3 months, she started needing a consistent bedtime. Creating a routine to let her know bedtime was coming (diaper change, jammies, book, sleep sack, and rocking) helped her sleep through the night sooner. When we miss her bedtime because we are out, it always effects her sleep. And she still wakes up the same time in the morning no matter when she went to bed!
We love our Baby Bluebird Crib Mattress from Moonlight Slumber! It’s an incredible value for the features included, like my favorite, real temperature control — Baby Bluebird is the only Moonlight Slumber mattress that combines an innovative airflow nest with cool gel memory foam, which work to regulate a sleeping baby’s temperature. That’s important for helping to keep them comfortable so they can STAY asleep (every new parent’s dream! Click here for more info on the mattress). It also has a removable plush cotton cover that can zip off and go in the wash if it gets soiled (so convenient) — and underneath, the base mattress cover is cozy enough to sleep on by itself, as well as anti microbial and waterproof!
Practice Naps in the Crib
I have no problem holding Hilde for daytime naps, but I know eventually she will need to learn to sleep well in her crib. Practicing day time naps in the crib actually helps with nighttime sleep. I do them in the mornings when she naps better and then typically hold her for her afternoon nap when she is more clingy. It is more about developing sleep patterns than getting in 2 hour naps.
Go by the lbs on clothes (not months)
We’ve got a chunker and it took me too long to realize that there was lbs on clothes too! Whenever I can, I go by that because that is more accurate for Hilde! She was in 3-6 months before 3 months and out of 6-9 months before she reached 6 months!
Have changing Stations in multiple rooms
We live in a three floor town-home and sometimes climbing two flights of stirs to change a poopy diaper is not my idea of fun. haha. Have a couple changing stations around the house to change a diaper when you need to without it interrupting whatever you are in the middle of doing. It also keeps baby happy. Hilde hates sitting in a dirty diaper for too long! We like to keep this Changing Pad with Organic Cotton Cover downstairs for diaper changes! It is comfortable, quality, and super easy to clean — I really appreciate that the surface is completely smooth, with no indentations or stitching that can trap germs from the inevitable “accidents.” And when that happens and you have to throw the cover in the laundry, it’s still safe to use the changing pad in direct contact with your little one. I’m all in favor of anything that will simplify the changing process!
When in doubt, go up a size
We were having blowouts multiple times a day and I couldn’t figure out what we were doing wrong. We were still 4 lbs away from the weight for size 4 diapers but after the recommendation of a friend, I bought them to try! It instantly fixed everything! I don’t know why I was set on following the weights on the diapers when clothing has also been all over the place for us!
Babies need some toys (not all the toys)
At first babies don’t need any toys. I kept trying to give them to Hilde and she was so uninterested. But then one day she woke up teething (about 3 months?!) and needed to put everything in her mouth. Then all the toys started getting tons of us! We made sure we had a couple in each room and in the diaper bag for outings because she needed them. You don’t need a million but don’t be discouraged those first weeks about how uninterested they are in those cute baby shower gifts! Before you know it, they will throw a fit when you try to take it away from them 😉
Have one or two Nursing Pillows
Some people say you don’t need these and I disagree. When it is the middle of the night and you don’t want to hold up a nursing baby with your own strength, a nursing pillow is key! And I don’t just stop there – I think you need one in every room so you don’t have to cart it around everywhere you go! haha. We have one that stays in the bedroom next to my bed and the other one we keep in the basement tv room. Those are my two go-go nursing spots!
The Butterfly Nursing Pillow by Moonlight Slumber is the best! The flaps on the side help me to push the pillow into the perfect nursing position and Hilde loves to snuggle up in it! The cover is also organic and easy to remove to wash (a must for any baby product!) And now that Hilde is growing, she loves to climb over it or sit next to it when we are done nursing! A nursing pillow like this one is such a good value, because it can be used at all stages of your baby journey. It’s good for lumbar support during or after pregnancy, and it’s great for both nursing and supervised floor time for baby (as Hilde demonstrates daily!).
Go on Adventures & Make Memories
Babies change everything but in so many good ways. I have said this before and I feel like a broken record, but I am surprised by just how much I love being a mama! Babies are young and they don’t remember everything, but going on new adventures and making memories with your baby is so fun! You don’t need to wait until they are old enough to remember the adventures, you will remember them and that makes them worth it! Don’t wait to have adventures!
Those are 10 things I have learned these last 6 months! And I’ll keep learning so many things about motherhood as we go into each new stage! I truly love each season and I am so blessed to call this little bundle of joy mine!
What are some of your favorite motherhood tips?!
