[Sabra]

Hi:

I am working with some brand new moms . They are really anxious to know about the first year of parenting.

What do you think I should stress the most to these new moms regarding their first year with their child. Some will be nursing and others will not.

Any advice for the first year with their infants?

Thanks.

[mina2u]

I think this would apply to either adopted or biological infants: enjoy them. Encourage but don't push them to the next step, the next phase. I did that with my first. When I think back, I realize the diservice I did to my oldest child. I expected way too much from her. I didn't allow her to be her age. The other thing I would say is: Don't be afraid to love them. With my second child, I was so afraid that something was going to go wrong, and if I allowed myself to bond with her, my heart would be broken. Then I realized something...regardless of the outcome, that little baby deserved to be loved, even if we only had her for 1 day, or 1 week, or the rest of eternity.

[ISW]

Understand that they are in constant change and that changes can literally happen overnight. So when you hit a rough patch and you think to yourself, "my God, am I going to make it through?" Know that by God, you will.

[echaos]

The best advice we got:

Sleep when they sleep! Don't wait for their naps to do laundry, clean etc... you'll be burnt out in no time. Snuggle up with them and catch a few ZZZZ's

[stacyone]

The best advice I got was this, from my Mom (background: I grew up in Michigan, where she still lives, and moved to Atlanta 13 years ago):

"Hold your baby when she's a baby. Because one day she's not going to be a baby and she's not going to want you to hold her. Then, you're going to take a nap and when you wake up, she will have packed up her car and moved to Georgia and she's NEVER COMING BACK."

I'm already experiencing that, to some degree, and my peanut is only 19 months old. She is Little Miss Independent.

[bmoms1994]

For the first few months, expect to not sleep much. And after that also, if they get sick. Expect showers, naps, time to clean, and time alone a luxury that may be put on hold for a while. I agree the sleep when they sleep advice. And to enjoy them when they are this little and want you to hold them. And, remember that at times it is ok to act like a kid, go swing with them, roll a ball with them, read them silly books. It's ok you are a parent. And expect to love someone unconditionally like you never have before. And enjoy them while they are young because the time goes by so fast.

[mckenna]

don't compare them to other babies thier age, let them be babies as long as possible. i wanted my son to roll over when he was "supposed" to, walk early, talk early, ect. now he is almost 3 and i wish i had not rushed the growing so much. i agree with hold your baby while you can, soon they will think they are too big for that. enjoy them.