Here’s your guide to survive all things new mom. Well, maybe not all things, but these are the most popular posts from MothersRest for prego ladies and mommas of newborns. All in one spot.
First off, newborns like to poop – a lot. To survive other truths you’ll discover during the newborn days, bookmark this page or PIN IT!
Table of contents
Use these handy links to jump to the section you’re most interested in:
1. Rocking your pregnancy – and delivery
6. Keeping your relationship on track
8. Struggling with infertility
Rocking your pregnancy – and delivery
Pregnant? You need a health advocate
Maternal health is on the decline in the US. Here’s what you need to know to recruit an advocate to stick by your side during labor and delivery – be it your spouse, best friend, doula, or the neighborhood mailman.
Stop with the Percocet already: coping with labor and delivery pain
Maybe you’re like me and can’t stomach Percocet (or the idea that America is in the midst of a major pain pill addiction epidemic). Good ole Ibuprofen is a great alternative for managing post-delivery pain.
10 things you should know about having a C-section
Here’s your checklist to mentally prepare for your first c-section – whether it’s scheduled or an emergency. From prep to surgery to arriving home with sweet babe.
The no-shame C-section
As a 2-time, C-section momma, I say STAND TALL AND PROUD if a C-section is part of your birthing journey. You’re a hero, lady, major surgery and all. Healthy mom + healthy baby is where it’s at!
Why you need the flu shot. Especially if you’re pregnant.
The flu can cause bipolar disorder and premature labor. See your doctor and get the flu shot TODAY! Plus, 10 tips to help you avoid the flu – whether you’re pregnant or not.
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Enjoying maternity leave
How to prep for maternity leave like a lady boss
Tips for how to leave work at work when you welcome home baby. So you can rock motherhood as much as you rock boss-lady-hood.
The working girl’s guide to survive maternity leave
Maternity leave can feel like a long, lonely slog. You need FRIENDS and JOY. Yes, baby is amazing, but baby doesn’t smile for a while and is, uh, super needy. Here are tips to help you also focus on YOU.
I ran back to work after my son was born
Reflections on mom-guilt and things to consider when you ponder the ultimate question: am I stay-at-home-mom material or what?
Working mother hacks
Oh, and when maternity leave ends, you REALLY need to check out these time-saving practices – especially if you plan to pump at work.
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Breastfeeding
4 tips to reach nursing nirvana (and the breastfeeding supplies you need)
Nursing isn’t as easy as “they” make it sound. Here are ideas on how to create the perfect nursing environment where you and baby can make the most of this age-old tradition. Including all the supplies you need.
5 signs your breastfed baby’s getting enough milk
These five signs from a certified lactation consultant will ease your mind. So you know baby’s GOT MILK!
Nursing mother or nursing ADDICT? You decide.
Get the skinny on what to expect when you start breastfeeding – and when you OR BABY decides to stop. Including the beauty of bonding with your little one, and how to manage the weaning process.
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Getting baby on a routine
It ain’t E.A.S.Y. being the baby whisperer
Tips to get baby on a routine – as soon as possible. So you can keep your sanity. Plus, night-feeding tips to get baby and mom back to sleep – as soon as possible.
8 tips to get your baby on a sleep schedule
Tricks for starting a bedtime routine for your wee youngin. Including the beauty of swaddling and the power of the milk coma. Plus, how to avoid overstimulating baby. Because an overstimulated baby is anti-sleep.
How to survive 6 hours in the car with a baby
When you’re ready to venture out into the world with little sweetness – by yourself or with a buddy – these 11 tips have got you covered. You’ll conquer the road like a mom-ninja. And help babe stay on schedule. Because you don’t need a trip to Nanna’s house to totally undo all the amazing work you’ve done thus far.
You can ROCK daylight savings this spring
Tips to help sweet babe adjust to daylight savings in the spring. And in the fall. So life doesn’t go off the rails.
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Getting more sleep
Feeling like Mommy Dearest
Ah, welcome to a life of sleeplessness. Sleep deprivation is a killer. When you’re lashing out at everyone, it’s time to take a nap and get a little REM sleep (to regulate your emotions). And when that’s not possible, lean HARD on these 30 tips to make you smile.
Mommy Brain: how to fight the fog
Mommy brain is real. Here are tips to help you cope when you can’t remember what happened just 10 minutes ago. Until you can manage to get more deep sleep.
Sleep when the baby sleeps
Yes, I’m aware no one actually does this. Because when else would you fix dinner or clean clothes or take a shower or wash the dishes or eat some food? But seriously, force yourself to sleep when the baby sleeps. Because, y’all, a 10-minute power nap is a game-changer.
Turn off the damn baby monitor (and other sleep tips for moms)
My favorite 7 sleep tips for new moms. Like: turn off the damn baby monitor. Because you should be snoozing, not watching a video screen. I promise your MOM EARS will wake you up if baby really needs you. Otherwise, #momlife means you may never sleep again.
Drink more, sleep poor (and other truths about alcohol)
Having a newborn can drive you to drinking. But check out this post about how alcohol impacts sleep before you start chugging a whole bottle of wine. Because momma needs sleep more than a good buzz.
Give the gift of sleep
To help the whole family sleep, check out these sleep aids and tricks. Like dealing with snoring and why red light is the bomb diggity at night. And if all else fails, here are 7 tips for insomnia.
How to survive a diaper blow-out at midnight
When baby has a major midnight diaper blowout, these tricks will save your life. So you can get your sleep back on – as soon as possible.
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Keeping your relationship on track
Marriage sucks after kids?
How many of us enter parenthood thinking our sweet little babe will be a major marriage stressor? But then comes sleep deprivation and new routines and a new life thrust into the mix of a, previous-to-this, partnership of just two… Good luck to us all!
How my kid almost crushed my marriage
Having a new baby around is a bit of, um, an adjustment, whether you’re single or coupled-up. Here are some tricks to keep your relationship strong when the little one arrives and life gets kinda crazy.
The secret to date night success
When you’re ready, get out of the house with your partner and get your date-on! And don’t let anyone tell you to avoid talking about baby – we know that’s the only thing on your mind. Go on, bond over this amazing life you’ve created together. And when you get home, a giant bear hug totally counts as sex.
How to be a Rock Star Dad
Tips so daddy-o can rock this new baby thing like a champ. Including how to help the new momma get some sleep. Because a rested momma is a happy momma. And everybody wants a happy momma.
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Welcoming home baby #2
The joys and crazy of two kids under two
So you survived baby #1 and are thinking about adding baby #2, huh? Lots to consider, especially if you go the route of having your littles close together in age. Here’s the skinny on life with two under the age of two. From actual mommas who have been there, done that. It’s insanity – and so worth it!
The art of picking out socks: how to teach children independence
When you bring baby #2 home from the hospital, it’s time for baby #1 to step it up a bit. Here are three tips for teaching babies, toddlers and preschoolers independence. Including baby-led weaning (finger foods!), car-seat tricks and the joy of mis-matched socks.
The 3-day potty boot camp
Everything you need to know for the successful 3-day potty boot camp. So you can get baby #1 out of diapers as soon as possible. Because, unless you have twins, having two babies in diapers requires more mullah than I really want to think about.
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Struggling with infertility
1 in 4 women know we need to talk about this
Sometimes a miscarriage is so early it feels like a heavy, painful period. Other times, you sense it coming when you look in the eyes of the ultrasound tech. But every time, you need to know: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
The first time I met a real, live TEST TUBE baby
Sadly, infertility can strike any of us. At any time. Even if we got lucky and pregnant with baby #1 super quick (which I did not). Here are my reflections on my IVF journey. Plus an interview with one of the leading fertility specialists in the US, bringing you tips on what to expect during your own IVF journey.
Miracle baby turned TWO
This is my story of dealing with 6 years of infertility, followed by SURPRISE baby #2! You’ll learn all the methods we tried while struggling to conceive. Including charting, clomid, and artificial insemination. So you’ll know what your options are.
The big lie infertility wants you to believe
Parenting is hard. Remember that when miracle baby arrives. Because your past struggle with infertility may try to take you down. Don’t let it. Be strong, momma.
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Share your own tips and tricks for how to survive life with a newborn below or on Facebook at MothersRest.
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