Being a parent is the most special and unique job on the planet, but it is not easy. When you announce you are expecting a baby, it is common for other parents to share the highs and lows and tell you that you are in for a roller coaster ride. Getting off to a flying start can help you lay the foundations for a healthy, happy family life. In this handy guide, we will share some top tips to help you navigate and enjoy the early years.
Navigating the newborn phase
Caring for a newborn is an experience nobody can prepare for properly. People are often quick to share tales and golden nuggets of advice, but every baby is different and parents have very different experiences. Some will absorb and adore every second of being in the newborn bubble while others will struggle and enjoy the days when their baby is older and more independent. It is important to avoid putting pressure on yourself during the newborn phase. At this point, everyone is just trying to do their best. Avoid making comparisons, especially on social media. Social media can be a force for good, bringing people together and showing real-life experiences, but it tends to provide a rose-tinted vision of parenthood, particularly motherhood. If you find that scrolling gives you anxiety or makes you question what you are doing or how you look, limit screen time and be careful about which accounts and hashtags you follow.
During the newborn days, it is important to lean on your support network if you need or want help, company, advice or support. There can be a fine line between getting others involved and feeling overwhelmed, so do not be afraid to say no if you do not want to accept invitations or have people over to visit. Take every day as it comes. Some days you might be desperate to have friends and family around you while others you might want to take some time for you and your baby and enjoy a bit of peace and downtime.
It is important to look after your own health and well-being as a parent during the early days and months as well as caring for your baby. When you have a child, you go through dramatic changes both physically and mentally. It takes time to process what has happened, what is happening day-to-day and get used to life as a parent. Prioritizing self-care can help you nourish your body and mind and lower the risks of mental and physical health issues. Try to rest when you can, ask for help and support if you need it, eat well and exercise as regularly as possible. This may mean going out for a gentle stroll or doing 20 minutes of yoga and stretching while your baby naps. There should be no pressure to try and lose weight or ‘bounce back.’ Exercise should be a priority for health reasons, and you should become more active as and when you feel comfortable and your body is ready. Take advice from your care team. In many cases, you may be advised to wait before undertaking more strenuous activities.
Encouraging learning and education during the early years
Children start learning from day one. Education begins at home and it can be an incredible bonding activity for parents and young kids. There are many ways to encourage learning and development during the early years. As a parent, you will play an integral role in helping your child to learn as they get older. From the first days when babies start to notice what is going on around them to preschool activities, there are opportunities to teach your kids and help them develop new skills every day.
Reading is one of the best ways to help your child learn from a very young age. You can read and look at books together from the newborn stage. As your baby gets older, you can introduce new books, start asking questions and teaching them words, and encourage them to tell you about the story. Reading helps children learn new words and understand different ideas and concepts and it is also great for speech and language development. Storytime is also valuable for bonding, introducing calmer periods into your daily routine and helping children to focus and concentrate. It also promotes creativity and encourages children to use their imaginations.
Introducing children to new environments, learning experiences and faces can help them learn and grow. As your baby gets older, you may be exploring childcare options and thinking about how you will plan your diary. For many moms, the goal is to juggle work and looking after their child. If you are working, it is beneficial to consider all your options, including asking friends or family members to help with babysitting, researching daycare programs and providers and hiring a nanny or an au pair. Weigh up the pros and cons, arrange visits and meetings and outline your priorities. For some parents, the most important thing is that their child is safe in a familiar environment while for others, it is giving children an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in different settings with new people. Take your time to make decisions. You should never feel pressured into choosing a daycare facility or hiring a childminder if you do not feel ready.
We often think about books, reading and doing educational exercises when talking about learning during the early years, but there are other ways to educate your child. Learning through play is the most impactful learning method for very young children. Have fun together, play with toys, engage in role-play activities and plan outings and adventures. Experiences are often more memorable for kids, as they bring words and ideas to life. Consider the effects of following a nature trail and looking out for animals, gathering leaves and conkers and experiencing different types of weather, views and environments when learning about wildlife, conservation, life cycles and climates, for example. Try to have fun, spend quality time together and enjoy experiences as a family.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle
Adopting a healthy lifestyle as a family is instrumental in instilling good habits in young children. Making positive choices will help your child at every stage of their life. Key steps include promoting healthy sleep routines, eating and enjoying a nutritious, balanced diet, and exercising regularly.
Sleep is perhaps the most popular topic of conversation among parents. When you welcome a new addition, it is common for people to ask you how much sleep you are getting or how you are surviving sleepless nights. It is true that looking after a newborn is tiring, but there are ways to negotiate disturbed nights. One option is to lean on friends, family and your partner to share the load so that you can catch up on sleep during the day or share night feeds. Another idea is to get help from trained nannies or doulas to give you a break. It is also helpful to try and encourage a routine from an early age. Most experts recommend starting to adopt sleep routines from around 4 months when babies have a sense of night and day and they are starting to go for longer between feeds. It is important to follow your intuition and do what you think is best for your baby. Some parents favor strict routines while others have a much more relaxed attitude.
As children get older, they encounter different challenges and hurdles, which can impact sleep. Some parents find they experience more sleepless nights with a toddler than an infant, for example. Illness, teething and changes in routines and environments are common examples of stressors for children. If your child has trouble sleeping, it is helpful to stick to a regular evening routine, which encourages them to unwind and relax. Having a bath, reading and enjoying a cuddle in bed can help them to feel calm and safe before they doze off. Try to implement regular bedtimes and create a soothing, serene sleep environment. Ideally, your child’s room should be dark, tranquil and a comfortable temperature. It is best to avoid eating anything that contains caffeine or sugar and doing activities that stimulate the mind late in the day.
Eating well is crucial for adults and children. Our bodies rely on us for fuel and essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It can be difficult to follow a healthy eating plan when you have a hectic schedule or children who do not want to eat their greens, but there are ways to overcome obstacles. Search for quick and easy healthy recipes online, look for inspiration for child-friendly dishes and prepare in advance. Batch cooking is brilliant if you do not have the time or energy to rustle up a homemade feast every evening. You can also prep simple, delicious and nutritious lunches the day before for you and your kids. For fussy eaters, it is a great idea to add extra fruit and vegetables to sauces and smoothies your kids love. You can blend ingredients, such as carrots, celery, onions, mushrooms and spinach and add them to a classic tomato pasta sauce, for example. Presenting food in a fun way can also encourage kids to adopt healthier eating habits. There are some ingenious ideas on sites like Pinterest, such as crocodiles made from cucumber and Santa-themed strawberries for the holidays.
Regular exercise is another cornerstone of healthy, happy kids. Try to encourage daily activity, vary sports and active pursuits and have fun together. Play games in the backyard, go on a family bike ride or a gentle hike every weekend or take up new hobbies, such as playing tennis or going swimming, climbing, skateboarding or surfing.
Every parent wants the best for their children, but it is not easy to raise healthy, happy kids. Parenting is tough and every mom and dad will face challenges, hurdles and hard days, but there are ways to navigate difficulties and encourage healthy habits. Key areas to focus on include taking care of yourself as well as your children, promoting learning and education, adopting positive lifestyle habits and enjoying quality time with your kids.
