Becoming a mom for the first time is a whirlwind of emotions, sleepless nights, and countless moments of joy and learning. Reflecting on my journey, there are a few things I would have approached differently, particularly in the early days. If I could turn back time to the first days home with my baby. here are the three things I would do differently to make the transition smoother for both me and my baby.

1. Bottle Feed at Night and Let Daddy Handle Nighttime Duties

One thing I’ve learned is the importance of sharing nighttime responsibilities with my partner. After one month of exclusive breastfeeding, we decided to introduce bottle feeding, but I didn’t take it seriously through the night. It seemed easier to breastfeed, especially when I was the one getting up at the slightest cry. Anything would wake me, and I’d rush to my baby’s aid, particularly during those early weeks when I was still getting to know his noises.

Because of this, I didn’t give my husband the chance to comfort our baby and put him back to sleep. Now, at 6 months old, my little one cries and waits for me to put him to sleep during wake-ups. In hindsight, I believe it would have been much easier on me in the long run if I had let daddy establish his own way of soothing our baby back to sleep at night.

Letting daddy handle nighttime feedings could have helped in several ways:

• Building a Strong Bond Between Baby and Dad: Allowing my husband to take the lead during nighttime duties would have fostered a deeper bond between them. It’s crucial for babies to feel secure with both parents, and this approach could have strengthened that connection.
• Allowing Me to Get More Rest: Sharing the feeding responsibilities would have given me some much-needed rest. Sleep deprivation can take a toll on a new mom’s physical and mental well-being, and having those extra hours of sleep could have been incredibly rejuvenating. Although somehow we can go months without consistent sleep.
• Promoting Equal Parenting: Getting my partner involved in nighttime care would have set a precedent for balanced parenting from the beginning. It would have been beneficial for both of us as parents to share the joys and challenges of caring for our newborn through the nighttime.

2. Put Baby to Sleep While Still Awake

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of helping your baby learn to self-soothe and fall asleep independently. During those early months, I often waited until my baby was completely asleep before putting him down, thinking that was the best way to avoid wake-ups. But now, I see the value in putting the baby to sleep while still awake.

Doing this helps build healthy sleep habits early on. Babies who learn to fall asleep on their own tend to sleep longer and more consistently. It reduces their dependency on external aids, such as rocking or feeding, to drift off. When babies know how to self-soothe, they are often better equipped to settle themselves back to sleep when they wake up naturally during the night. This small change can make a huge difference in how much uninterrupted sleep everyone gets!

Teaching your baby to self-soothe is a lifelong skill that fosters resilience and a sense of security, knowing they can manage without immediate intervention. I wish I had embraced this approach sooner.

3. Invest in the Snoo Rocking Bassinet

Looking back, I also wish I had invested in the Snoo, a smart bassinet that combines gentle rocking and white noise to help soothe babies back to sleep. I initially thought it was just another gimmick, but after hearing countless success stories from other parents, I realized it could have made a significant difference in our lives.

Here’s why:

• Promotes Longer Sleep: The Snoo’s responsive rocking and white noise features can help extend sleep durations by soothing the baby back to sleep quickly when they stir. This means fewer disruptions during the night and more rest for both baby and parents.
• Provides Peace of Mind: The Snoo comes with a swaddle that secures the baby in a safe sleep position, reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and providing peace of mind to anxious new parents.
• Saves Time and Energy: The Snoo automates the soothing process, meaning less time spent rocking or shushing the baby back to sleep. This would have been a game-changer, especially during those exhausting early months when sleep is most fragmented.

In Conclusion

Parenting is an ongoing journey of learning and adapting. Reflecting on my experiences, I see how these three changes could have made my first months as a mom less stressful and more restful. For any new or expecting parents out there, I hope my insights help you navigate your journey with a bit more ease. Every parent and baby are unique, but sometimes, small adjustments can make all the difference!