Random baby tips from a second time (soon-to-be third time) mom

With less than six weeks until my third child arrives, I’m reflecting on some things I’ve learned while raising a baby the first year.

The saying, “If I knew then what I knew now,” can apply to anything in life, but it’s especially true when it comes to children.

When you’re pregnant you receive all kinds of unsolicited advice, in my opinion, advice I never really wanted to take. And I only say that because sometimes advice can come across as black and white, like, that person’s way is the way it will work for your child and that’s just not necessarily true.

I’m here to tell you that you should listen to the advice with an open mind, but still march to the beat of your own drum.

It’s always nice to have choices, right? So, here are some random tips and ideas that have worked for me and may be helpful to you.

My tips and advice for raising a baby the first year:

1. Use a leftover baby formula scoop for measuring coffee grinds. It’s exactly a tablespoon and will make a perfect cup of joe!

2. Buy zip up one-piece footed pajamas. They’ll save you time especially at night when changing diapers!

3. Use kitchen timers for cooking even if your recipe doesn’t call for it. When you have kids it’s easy to overlook anything!

4. Buy bibs with snaps, Velcro can make pulls on clothes in the dryer and ruin some of your baby’s most beautiful outfits.

5. If your child keeps wetting through overnight diapers and pajamas, try using a diaper one size larger with a diaper booster inside. It has saved us countless times since we started using them and my son no longer wakes up cranky or soaked.

6. Putting your child to bed later does not mean a later wake up time. Kids have an amazing internal clock and will most likely wake up their normal time regardless.

7. Don’t compare your second or third child to your first. I’m doing everything for my son as I did for my first and he gets into everything she didn’t! It’s not us as parents, all kids are just different. You’ll see, I was and am still surprised by it!

8. Even though you might have registered for a complete newborn bottle set, also register for a single bottle from that brand. If you wash and sterilize the whole set and your baby doesn’t like them, you aren’t able to return them. I went through three different kinds of bottles with my son before he finally latched onto one he immediately loved. I was nursing and the only one he took to was the Lansinoh mOmma bottle. (Although not a route I took, you can also try to make them like it. I’ve never had much success with that, especially when they’re hungry and screaming at you. I just chose to just try another brand!)

9. As your baby gets older, always have snacks on hand when leaving the house. You never know if you’ll be stuck in traffic or a store longer than you planned. Kids that have full tummies are happier and content when doing errands. Plus, you won’t have to open everything you buy at the supermarket!

10. Finally, it may seem obvious, but do you what think is right and follow your gut. No one can tell you how to raise your baby or what is best for them. Only you, the mom, will know what is right. No call to the doctor is stupid and I think sometimes there’s no such thing as being over-protective. You’re just being a loving mom who only wants to keep their child safe.

If you’re a second time or third time mom, what advice do you have for a new mother?