Parenting Tips for New Parents

When you first find out that you're expecting, it's normal to be overjoyed — and also pretty scared. Your world is going to change, and everyone will let you know it. Being a parent is never going to be easy, but the truth is that it will be rewarding in its own right.

That being said, it's totally normal to get flooded with parenting tips for new parents, especially from people who have never had kids before. Most people will not really give you good advice, and many will actually just pass judgment on whatever plans you do have for your newborn.

Sometimes, you will just want judgment-free parenting tips for new parents who might just feel lost in all the chaos that comes with preparing for baby. So, this article is for you.

First off, forget the haters.

One of the best parenting tips for new parents you can hear is to stop listening to everyone else's opinion of your parenting skill. It sounds really strange now, but wait until your child comes along. It'll make sense soon enough.

Mommy-shaming is a very real, very unfortunate issue in our society. This means that even the most well-meaning parents will get judged, questioned, and shamed from time to time.

If you try to follow all the peer pressure-inspired advice you get, you're going to end up feeling resentful, bitter, and confused. You also will probably do worse with your kid, too.

Not all good things come from following the crowd and kowtowing to shaming. Haters aren't always right. In fact, some people might even judge people who adopt due to their LGBTQ families.

It's better to surround yourself with positive people and block haters out of your life during this time. If people can't respect the way you raise children, you shouldn't let them near your family when you're this vulnerable.

Make time for your relationship — unless you want to see a divorce in the future.

Most parenting tips for new parents will talk about how to feed the baby, how to change diapers, and how to get the baby to sleep. That's great, and we're sure that you will find ample advice on how to do these things online. In fact, many hospitals offer parenting classes that cover these subjects as well.

However, you won't really find many parenting classes that tell you how to save your relationship from a parenthood-related divorce. The truth is that parenthood will cause a huge strain on your relationship. You won't have as much time to spend with your partner as you used to, and in many cases, sex grinds to a halt.

For many relationships, the only way to ensure that you'll be able to make it last is to take time away from the baby and use that time for each other. A single date night per week can help you keep your sanity, and doing small things like helping take out the trash will often mean the world to whoever's watching the kiddo.

It's common for new parents to feel guilty when they aren't near their kids. Taking time for your spouse doesn't make you a bad parent; it makes you a great role model for what relationships are supposed to be.

Fed is best.

Most people who are expecting have already heard the calm reminder that "breast is best." It's true that breastfeeding does have a lot of benefits for kids, and that children who are breastfed tend to grow up to be healthier than those who are formula fed.

However, not every mom will be able to breastfeed for one reason or another. If you can't breastfeed, don't worry too much about it. Formula really isn't that bad, and abstaining from formula in favor of too little breastmilk can be a fatal mistake.

Most parenting tips for new parents will tell you to breastfeed as long as possible, but that's not always doable. Life happens, and as a parent, you will have to be a bit realistic on what you can offer.

If you can't breastfeed, or if you just don't want to, it's okay. Really! As long as your baby is alive and well-fed, it doesn't really matter that much in the long run.

Tag team with your partner to get some sleep.

Did you know that sleep deprivation is actually considered a form of torture? No wonder so many new parents are snippy with one another. Everyone needs sleep, so if you find yourself feeling worn out by a crying newborn, you might need to get creative.

Many parenting tips for new parents actually focus on how to overcome the sleep deprivation aspect of being a new mom or dad. The best tip we've heard is to do a tag team-style schedule to make sure that the baby is well-attended to.

So, rather than have you both get up, take turns sleeping through the night.

Consider pooling resources with other parents nearby to cut costs.

Babies are expensive — really expensive. You will need to buy more food, more clothes, and also spend more on insurance once your little one arrives. Most parenting tips for new parents that involve money will tell you the importance of buying in bulk, couponing or doing similar stuff to save cash.

What most won't tell you is that you can also pool childcare together.

If you link up with a bunch of new parents in the neighborhood, you might be able to get a discount with a babysitter. Moreover, other moms will be way more likely to watch your baby for a while so that you can get rest.

At the very least, having at least one trusted relative who can watch over your baby for a while will give you the peace, quiet, and solitude you need to collect yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help; most people will be happy to offer it.

Know the warning signs of Postpartum Depression.

PPD, also known as Postpartum Depression, is extremely serious — and can become lethal in certain circumstances. In fact, most cases of infanticide have been linked to PPD, and its sister illness, Postpartum Psychosis.

Both men and women can get PPD, and it can sink in anytime during the first 12 months of a baby's life. If you notice that you are very depressed, anxious, numb, or suddenly burst into tears without warning, you may have PPD.

If you think you have PPD, go to a doctor and seek treatment immediately. It's for the best for both you and your baby.

Let your baby cry it out.

This is one of those parenting tips for new parents that may cause some to pass judgment but is actually cited by doctors as good practice.

I know that it's going to be hard to let children cry it out, especially if you're not used to that level of noise in your home. Babies are meant to cry. That's what they do, and unfortunately, it's not always a good thing.

It will be hard to stand by as the baby is crying. However, you need to let your baby cry it out those first months in order to get them to stop crying later. Not letting them cry it out is a huge parenting mistake that teaches your kid that you are at their beck and call.

Generally, most parents will know when something is seriously wrong and when the baby is actually just being a diva. If she's still crying after an hour, you may want to seek medical attention.

If you ever find yourself really overwhelmed, take a walk.

Many articles featuring parenting tips for new parents will talk about how to calm the baby, soothe the baby, and get the baby to shut up. However, they rarely talk about what to do when everything has failed and you're about to snap.

Honestly? Just walk away from the house for 10 minutes, regain your composure, and go back in. A lot of parents who are pushed to the limit have the urge to shake the baby — and that can actually kill your child.

So, do what you need to do in order to calm down.

You also may need to take time out of your day to just sort yourself out, and that's okay. Talk about your baby problems if you need to, even if it's with a therapist about your feelings of reconsidering parenthood. The more collected you are, the better you can handle life as a new parent.