We caught up with Shelby from @raising_stanley to provide some brilliant advice for new parents to be. Whether it's accepting help from others or preparing for an unexpected change to your birth plans, read up on Shelby's past experience to ensure the smoothest possible arrival for your little one.
Accept offers of help
You don't have to do everything all the time. Ask family or friends to help with housework or watch the baby so you can have a break. I often felt like I had to do everything by myself, but the chances are, your family and friends will be dying to help out. Take advantage, have a long shower or a nice nap while someone else takes care of the baby.
Say no to visitors (sometimes)
Schedule a couple of days with no visitors. It can be so overwhelming in the first few days when you're adjusting to life as a parent, so don't be afraid to say no to people asking to pop in. Don't forget to make time for your partner too. Both of your lives are about to change and it's so easy to forget about each other in the early days. Schedule a movie night once a month or have dinner at your favourite restaurant.
Be prepared for your birth plan to change
Be prepared for your birth plan to change at the last minute. I had a low risk, straight forward pregnancy, though I was expecting a midwife led water birth. I ended up having an unexpected induction last minute which completely changed my birth plan. Even though I still had a pleasant birthing experience, I wish I had been more prepared that sometimes things don't go how you expect them to. Keep an open mind and don't get too hung up on the perfect plan.
Embrace the emotional rollercoaster
Being a parent is amazing, rewarding and beautiful but it can also be overwhelming, scary and emotional. You're not going to love every single moment; you'll probably even have moments where you feel like you don't know what you're doing, but know that you're doing an amazing job and the hard moments won't last forever. Embrace the highs and the lows, and don't be too hard on yourself.
Follow your parenting instincts
Everybody will try to give you parenting advice, take it with a pinch of salt! You'll find your own routine and way of doing things which will be different to what your nan or mum did all those years ago. It doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong; everybody does things differently and in the way that's best for them.
Try to enjoy every moment
Everybody says it, but time goes so fast when you're a parent. My best advice would be to just enjoy every moment, even the night feeds. Don't stress about the housework, that can wait. Just enjoy spending time with your lovely baby. Cuddle them while they nap, get down on the floor and play with them, just soak up every single second. You'll never regret the time you spend with your little one.
