The public becomes a wealth of information when you have a baby. Suddenly everyone - grandparents, neighbors, and childless friends alike - knows exactly the right way to get your baby to sleep through the night, and eat his greens, and wean from nursing. As new parents you'll try just about anything to get those precious eight hours of zzz's back, so we began by listening to everyone and attempting a little bit of everything. And while this first year definitely hasn't made us experts on parenting (can you ever be?), it has at least taught us some of what does and doesn't work. Here are the words of wisdom that we found actually proved wise.
The Best Advice We Received:
-"Do What Works"- All the books and doctors and strangers on the street (because everyone seems has parenting advice to dole out) were helpful in their own way, but this was the advice we always came back to. Like when Clay was going through a sleep regression, and we had to lug that giant Fisher Price swing into our bedroom just to get him to sleep one-hour stretches. Do whatever, whenever it works.
-Because "This Too Shall Pass"- In the thick of the late nights and endless nursing and colicky cries it seems like it will never end, but it does. And someday, you might find yourself with an eleven-month-old wondering where all the time went and actually missing those early, early mornings. And then wanting another one...ASAP.*
-And because "You Know Your Baby"- As a new parent, you might think you understand absolutely nothing when in fact you know everything there is to know. Trust your instincts - you were made to do this.
-"Take Time For You"- You just aren't as capable of caring for a sleepy, grouchy baby if you are sleepy and grouchy yourself. And while that's admittedly much easier said than done, it's important to not forget about yourself and each other in the midst of everything else. Join a gym with a daycare. Get a babysitter. Enlist your mother-in-law. Even if it just amounts to putting on makeup or scheduling an occasional lunch date with the spouse, it can help a lot.
-"Run The Vacuum While He Naps"- Clay could sleep through an earthquake thanks to this little trick we did for the first few months after he was born. As it is, he will snooze on through dogs barking, dinner parties, music playing, and the occasional marital spat.
-"Accept Help [Advice]"- It can be overwhelming to take in all of the insight that is out there (and indeed much of it can often be discounted by the first three bits of advice). But even if all amounts simply to what-not-to-do, try to listen and keep an open mind. After all, it takes a village. That being said, come back on Friday for our post on the worst advice we received!
-And because "You Know Your Baby"- As a new parent, you might think you understand absolutely nothing when in fact you know everything there is to know. Trust your instincts - you were made to do this.
-"Take Time For You"- You just aren't as capable of caring for a sleepy, grouchy baby if you are sleepy and grouchy yourself. And while that's admittedly much easier said than done, it's important to not forget about yourself and each other in the midst of everything else. Join a gym with a daycare. Get a babysitter. Enlist your mother-in-law. Even if it just amounts to putting on makeup or scheduling an occasional lunch date with the spouse, it can help a lot.
-"Run The Vacuum While He Naps"- Clay could sleep through an earthquake thanks to this little trick we did for the first few months after he was born. As it is, he will snooze on through dogs barking, dinner parties, music playing, and the occasional marital spat.
-"Accept Help [Advice]"- It can be overwhelming to take in all of the insight that is out there (and indeed much of it can often be discounted by the first three bits of advice). But even if all amounts simply to what-not-to-do, try to listen and keep an open mind. After all, it takes a village. That being said, come back on Friday for our post on the worst advice we received!
-Scott & Eleanor
*It should be noted, these are Eleanor's current feelings on the matter, not Scott's. He's still enjoying his sleep.
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