Chronicle Books - 52 Helpful Tips for New Parents

52 Helpful Tips for New Parents.

Copyright 2021 by Chronicle Books LLC.

Based on the 52 deck by Lynn Gordon and Pamela Holm; 2021 updates by Rebecca Braverman.

Illustrations by Cat Grishaver.

All rights reserved. No part of this deck may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-7972-1203-6 (epub, mobi)
ISBN 978-1-7972-0269-3 (deck)

Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.chroniclebooks.com

Make your own world as comfortable as possible. This is especially important at a time when you are giving so much of yourself to nurture a tiny person. Surround yourself with things that make you feel good: food you like to eat, clothes that feel good on your body, music you like to hear. Create comfortable sleep environments for yourself and your child. Buy a few extra pillows and comfy blankets that can be easily tossed into the washer. Fit your bedroom windows with curtains that will keep out the light if you need to sleep during the day. Maintaining a cozy atmosphere will help keep everybody on an even keel.

Sure youre tired; sure youve got other things on your mind. But its a good idea to take a moment to engage in some adult conversation daily. It might be a struggle at first, but challenge yourself to avoid the words baby, diapers, tired, or messy. Connecting with others, and not just discussing the baby nitty-gritty, is a chance to connect with your preparent self. (Hey, remember them?)

For someone so small, an infant takes up a tremendous amount of space, especially when you factor in the crib, changing table, dresser, swing, stroller, high chair, and acres of toys. You may need to get creative about your space management. Purge your closets of unwanted, space-wasting items. Build high shelves in bedrooms and closets to store items to which you dont need regular access. Use decorative baskets and boxes for storage around the house. When your baby outgrows anything, pass it along to friends or neighbors with slightly younger kiddos before it even has a chance to get cold.

Tip #1: Your parents may have consulted Dr. Spock. You, on the other hand, have the internet. On your phone. While its convenient to have unfettered access to advice at your fingertips, the temptation to search queries like Is my baby pooping too much? can drive you mad. So make a vow to let your pediatrician be your voice of reason, and use the internet for its intended purpose: cute animal videos.

Tip #2: Make a social media plan for your baby. Some parents grab their preferred username well before birth and opt to post all about their little one, while others are more comfortable keeping their offspring offline until later. Whatever route you decide to take, make sure you communicate your wishes to others.

Dont lose it with yourself. Its easy to feel overwhelmed by parenthoods new responsibilities, especially when youre running on a sleep deficit. You forgot to order more diapers, or your dinner was cereal? So what? No one is at their best when they are exhausted. Work toward being forgiving and kind to yourself. Rememberthe goal is sanity, not perfection.

In our busy world, convenience has replaced the labor-intensive but loving gestures our grandparents used to make. The good part is that we dont need to spend our days canning and stitching. The bad part is that those activities can be fun. Talk to your elders and find out what their years on the planet have taught them. Grill them for sleep tips and home remedies. Ask how they got colicky babies to settle down and what they did to ease teething pains. The elders will probably feel honored to pass along their knowledge, and you will be all the wiser.

Were surrounded by rhythms in nature: the daily rotation of the Earth, the phases of the moon, seasons, and tides. Our own bodies run rhythmicallyour heart beats, our lungs expand and contract. Developing healthy home rhythms can be a supportive and stable foundation for the whole family. They allow your day to run smoother, and instill a sense of confidence and security in your child. Regular mealtimes, nap times, and bedtime rituals can help you and your baby develop healthy eating and sleeping habits.

The whole family can enjoy (or sleep through) a drive-in movie if youre lucky enough to have one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in your area. Dress the baby in their jammies, load the car with snacks and cuddly blankets, and head to your favorite double feature. With any luck, the baby will doze off on the way to the film. If they fuss, you can walk them around the playground near the snack bar while keeping an eye on the big screen.

There are plenty of parenting philosophies at odds with each other, but one thing almost every expert can agree upon is the importance of reading early and often to little ones. Fill up your babys bookshelves with classics, and invite friends and family to recommend their favorites. If youre lucky, theyll even send several your way.

Your baby isnt the only one who gets cranky when they dont get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can make what is already difficult seem impossible. Learning to nap while your baby is napping will help you get the rest you need to keep you sane and keep your immune system up. Dont worry about the dust bunnies on the dining room floor. If youre tired, set the baby in bed and then head straight to yours.