If you are a new mom, congratulations. You’ve taken on one of the most important jobs in this world. Being a mother takes up nearly all of your time and energy, but there’s no greater reward than seeing your baby grow up healthy.

There are some things that every new mom should know to make the experience less stressful, though. If you are a new mom, here are some tips for you.

Ask for help

It doesn’t matter if you’re having your first child, second, third, or beyond, one thing is for certain: your life will change. Newborns take a lot of work, and there is no way around it. You can read books, watch YouTube videos, or ask your friends who are already parents all you want, but nothing prepares you for the real thing like actually being in the trenches with an actual newborn.  

For the first few months, you’re going to have a lot on your plate – everything from just figuring out how to hold and feed a baby, to actually sleeping through the night. It’s as if every day is a new challenge as you figure out what works for your family. That said, it can be frustrating when you need help and no one is coming. You can’t expect everyone to read your mind, though. When you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Get important baby needs ready

As a new mom, now is the time to prepare for all of those things that will be important for him/her. Especially if you are planning on using a stroller, organizing it is something that needs to be taken care of right away. Fortunately, there are some tips that can help make organizing the stroller easy. Like most things, organizing a stroller starts with finding the right bag for it. Almost any kind of bag can work, as long as it is big enough to fit the stroller inside. The bag will become particularly useful when going on long walks or jogging with your baby.

You should get some toys too. The toys should be of different shapes and colors in order to attract your baby’s attention. Extra clothes, baby bathing accessories, and all also important baby needs you should get ready.

Pay attention to your baby

This is a great way to bond with your new baby. As a new mom, you can also look into getting someone else to help around the house. This will give you the time and space that you need to spend with your infant. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just remember that this stage doesn’t last forever. The first three months are usually the most exhausting, but it does get better. And one day you’ll realize that you don’t have to worry about every little noise your baby makes.

Babies are actually pretty resilient and can handle change much easier than we consider them to be able to. Babies like routine, but they like change too (like when you introduce solid foods).

Take care of yourself

Do not be afraid to have some time for yourself. If you are breastfeeding, understand that you need to give your body a break too. If your baby is sleeping through the night, consider taking advantage of that free time by catching up on sleep or relaxing in a hot bath. Sometimes new moms feel guilty about “wasting” that time, but it is important for you in order to keep your stress levels manageable.

Postpartum depression is a real thing

If you think you may be suffering from postpartum depression, seek out help immediately. The sooner this illness gets managed, the better the outcome will be for both you and your baby. Postpartum depression can be tricky to manage because you may feel guilty about not being able to take care of your baby properly. No new mom wants to think of herself as someone who cannot take care of her infant.

Stick to an early bedtime

You may be exhausted after a hard day of looking after your child. It is important to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. You will then feel more energized and stay healthy for your baby. Remember that you need the energy to look after your child. If you don’t get enough sleep, you can hurt yourself or your child while taking care of your baby.

You need to be mentally alert to take care of your baby. You can’t reliably do that if you are mentally fuzzy. So, get enough sleep every night so that you will have the necessary mental acuity to be a good mommy for your newborn baby.

New parents receive so many recommendations from well-meaning friends and family about the best way to care for a new baby. But with these tips, you can attend to your duties as a mom properly.