Taking care of a baby is a huge learning curve for new parents. This is so much more than just the babysitting you did in high school. You’re adding a new identity, “parent,” to your skill set. This will take time, and you’re not going to be perfect right away. Take deep breaths, ask for help, and sleep when the baby sleeps.
Babies are really good at staying alive and they don’t need much: a flat place to sleep, milk, diaper changes. You don’t need an Owlet or fancy monitoring equipment for your baby, especially if you skew anxious. Your pediatrician will help you figure out if you should be worried about sleeping, eating, and other things
-
.Listen to your pediatrician. Your baby’s doctor is the number one resource for how your new baby is doing. You’ll be seeing them a lot over the first year, so lean on them for expertise in growth, feeding, pooping, and sleeping.
Pediatricians expect you to have questions, so call them if you’re worried. You’ll need to find someone that you feel comfortable asking questions, and perhaps re-asking questions (perhaps during follow up appointments). If the doctor isn’t worried, that’s not a cue to go Dr. Google if you’re still worried since that can increase your anxiety.
Your baby has lived in a womb, putting themselves to sleep and waking up, and even throwing little tantrums. Your job is to learn to read their cues and react; you’ll figure it out. Relying on noise machines, blackout curtains, and absolute quiet are not sustainable in life.
Breastfeeding can take time and effort. The baby is new at this too. It can also be an emotional journey, feeling like you can’t do it. Take it slow and try to relax and breathe.
It’s okay to use regular tap water in formula (NYC water is great). Filtered water works too!
Avoid comparisons. Each baby is on their own journey and some are better at things (e.g., eating, sleeping, rolling over) than others.
-
The baby industry makes money by trying to convince you that you need “stuff.” Clearing out the noise of “buy this, use that,” will save your brain extra work.
Vaccines should be given to your baby in the order prescribed. LOTS of research has gone into the regimen of vaccines, and trying to space them out or change an order can lead to mistakes.
If you can’t get the RSV vaccine while pregnant, your baby will be immunized.
Very few babies have tongue ties. If you’re feeling pressured to “fix” a tongue tie, work with your pediatrician and feel free to get a second opinion from a medical professional. Breastfeeding can take time.
A pacifier is perfectly okay to use during the first few months. They’ve been sucking in the womb!
Sleep changes often. You can swaddle for a while, then experiment with different swaddling positions.
Bathing with your baby can be a great bonding experience. Recommendations are that they don’t need as many baths as once thought (they get “clean” at diaper changes and spit-up clean-ups), but hanging out in the tub with your baby can be a very calming experience.
Your baby is getting tons of stimulation by being out of the womb. They are constantly hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, and smelling everything around them. Taking them to the park, letting them watch you cook, clean, and walk around the neighborhood are amazing learning environments. They really don’t need fancy toys or equipment and letting them be part of your world instead of revolving the world around them is better in the long run.
You're going to be a great parent. Not perfect, but great. Being a calm presence, not worrying too much about every detail, will help your baby be more calm. Babies sense the energy around them, so provide an environment for your baby to feel secure.
Parenting is a constant learning and relearning experience. Remember, everything is a phase, even the good stuff. Then you’re not disappointed if you hit a sleep or eating regression.
Here are some resources that we shared during the event:
Websites to trust: These sites are free and their information vetted by experts.
AAPhttps://www.healthychildren.
org/
Week by week:https://www.aap.org/en/search/
?context=Healthy%20Children& source=Healthychildren.org& lang=English&k=week%20by% 20week&s=
MAYO CLINIC:https://www.mayoclinic.org/
patient-care-and-health- information Vaccine Education Center @ Children’s Hospital:https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-
education-center/about-vec American Academy of Family Physicians:https://www.aafp.org/family-
physician/patient-care.html Upcoming member event:
Ready For Your New Little One? Mental Health Check-in for Expectant Parents
https://parkslopeparents.
Breastfeeding Support Groups:
https://www.parkslopeparents.
Choosing a Pediatrician/Doctor for your Child:
https://www.parkslopeparents.
PSP Pediatrician member reviews:
https://www.parkslopeparents.
Tongue Tie Recent Articles:
Pediatricians Warn Against Overuse of Tongue-Tie Surgeries
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/
What Parents Should Know About Tongue-Tie Releases
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/
Please reach out if you have any questions!
