new mommy wisdom.

So after reading yesterday's post from a cool new mommy over at Baby Bake Love, I'm taking the lead to share a few bits of my newfound mommy notables. Here's what I've learned so far at nearly six months and counting...

- Do not go out and buy every different brand and type of pacifier. Baby will end up only using one type (probably the first one you give her). Or, if you have a defiant baby like mine, will decide she prefers chomping on her delicious baby knuckle.
- Register for a JJ Cole BundleMe for the carseat. Even if your baby is born in the summer or you live where the weather is mild. You will get your money's worth times a million.
- Beware a sneezing baby on the changing table. You'll want to have that little bum covered up at all times, or you might be cleaning more than just the changing pad cover. (aka the diaper genie...hamper...wall...)
- Change your baby's diaper before you feed her if you know she will fall asleep during or after eating.
- Baby oil and a fine-toothed comb work wonders on cradle cap!
- If you're breastfeeding, invest in a ton of nursing pads. And a few good wireless nursing bras that still offer good support. It can be surprising how much your breasts change after having a baby!
- If your baby doesn't like to be swaddled, don't fight her on it. If she startles awake every time you try to put her down in a cradle/bassinet, buy a rock and play sleeper (like this one) with an incline and let her sleep in that. The way the sides hug the baby gives her the comfort of being held. Nugget started to sleep for longer stretches during the night after we started to use this.
- Take your baby (even a newborn) for walks outside in the stroller or carrier. The fresh air is good for both you and baby.
- When the baby's butt is starting to fall out of her diaper...its time to graduate to the next size.
- For the first several weeks after giving birth, don't worry if you feel completely overwhelmed and like nothing is ever going to be "normal" again. I cried at least once a night during those every-two-hour nighttime feedings for the first two weeks. You will develop a new (and wonderfully amazing) "normal" faster than you think.