Tips From The Front Lines

Motherhood is an exclusive club full of people that have all learned a number of lessons about how to get through life with a child or two or three.  We support each other and depend on each other for so much.  There are new moms entering our club every day and I wanted to help them make the transition to motherhood by passing along some of the random tips I've picked up a long the way.

I'm also hoping that if you're a mom and reading this that you'll share your tips and tricks.  We could all use the help I think.  In about a week, I'll create a printable version of this and will include all the tips that are provided just make sure to leave your Blog URL and/or Twitter handle so I can give you credit.  Ok, here it goes:

1. Get Creative - Use the resources you have. E was a very difficult newborn.  He required you to rock or walk him to sleep every night.  He was also born in October which made the walking thing kind of challenging...so we got creative.  If you're fortunate enough like me to have a treadmill in your house, it might just become your new best friend.  I can't tell you how many nights we'd head downstairs and turn it on real low and just walk, and walk and walk some more.  Soon enough he'd fall asleep and we'd be able to put him to bed.  I always wondered if this need to be walked to sleep didn't have something to do with all the working out I did when I was pregnant.

2. For new moms of little boys.  This had me puzzled for a while.  E would somehow wet through his clothes all the time.  It wasn't till someone told me to point it down before you put the diaper on that the issue was resolved.  We went through countless outfits until I learned this lesson.



3. For traveling.  I'm sure you've been told that you should make sure babies are nursing or drinking when you ascend and descend.  That way they will relieve the pressure that could occur naturally.  But here's another travel tip.  If you travel with children, TSA requires you show their birth certificate which I've always been so nervous about because I'm afraid I'll lose it.  So...turns out you can get your baby a state issued ID card for $10 and it will also be accepted by TSA which means you can leave the Birth Certificate at home.  

4. Always Have an Extra Change of Clothes (in a Ziploc bag) - Chances are taking off to will need to go in that Ziploc bag for transport home for proper cleaning.

5. Pack for bed - I live in a 2 story house and E still gets up every now and then.  What I don't want to do at 3:30 in the morning is go running downstairs to get him something to drink.  So I pack a little cooler and take it to bed with me each night.  Saves me a trip and maybe a little time.

6. Soothing music is amazing - The first time we took E on a car ride he screamed and screamed.  I called my sister all upset that I couldn't get him to relax.  She said..find some relaxing music and CRANK IT.  Almost to the point where you can't hear him crying.  Then when he starts to settle down, gradually lower the volume.  So we found the Spa channel on Sirius radio (Channel 68) and did what she said.  I couldn't believe that it worked.  To this day, E still listens to spa music in the car and relaxes.  He even listens to it when he goes to bed.  My ipod is full of it and I just put it on repeat.  The only problem with this is that I can't go get a massage without thinking of him the entire time.  Oh well!  :)

I'm sure I'll think of more and when I do, I'll post them but I'm hoping these got you thinking.  Do you have any secrets you want to share with us moms?  Don't forget to leave your Blog URL and Twitter handle if you have one. 

Happy Mother's Day!!