First Time Mommy Tips

     Having a baby young was hard. I didn't know what to expect, I didn't know how hard it was really going to be. Being a mom is not an easy job. While it is the best thing in the world, at times it can seem like a day is an eternity. Especially if you don't have your baby daddy/boyfriend/husband there to help you. I always say if I didn't have my mom and mother in law I would have been lost. Literally. I am also an independent kind of person when it comes to child. I like to do things just him and I. I guess it's that because I want him to stay my little boy forever. Now that he's 2 and 3 months were thinking were ready for another. A 3 year age gap is the perfect age gap, in my opinion.  So this next time around (no it hasn't happened yet) I am going to do things so much differently. Everyone always says that your first is always an experiment, lol in some ways I guess that's true. But anyway, here are some advise I have for first time moms. Things I wish people told me.

     1. It's going to be hard. Regardless of how good of a sleeper your newborn is, it's going to be tough to balance this new person in your life that you are completely responsible for. Your life will never be the same so make sure you are ready to take on the role of being a mom. Or even a single mom. That makes it 10 times harder if your baby daddy isn't going to stick around. I give major props to single moms because I don't think I could have done it by myself without going stir crazy.

     2. BREASTFEED! Seriously, do you know how expensive formula is?! If you're going to go organic you can add 5$ more to that price of formula every single week maybe week and a half. Earths Best Organic Formula is truly the best. Ordering it online it cost $28.15 not including shipping an handling. I know in the stores it's more. So just let that sink in. There is cheaper formulas out there but organic is the way to go. And also, it's a proven fact that breast fed babies are smarter.

     3. Diapers and Wipes. Now if you choose to cloth diaper you'll fork out a lot more money in the beginning but end up saving a lot more in the end. I've never done it so I'm not the person to ask. Making your own baby wipes with Organic Coconut Oil is a good way to save money also. Again, I haven't done it so I don't know how well they work or how well they clean the poop off.  Just something to think about. Also having to buy diapers and wipes (always, always but the biggest box of wipes possible because you use 3 times and many wipes as you do a diaper. For instance, the baby poops. So you use 7-8 wipes to clean him then only one diaper to put on him again) Remember that. We used to have to buy wipes every 3 days because we didn't catch on until he was like 3 months old. Lol

     4. DON'T BUY NEWBORN CLOTHES! And don't register for them. Unless the doctor tells you that you're going to have a preemie, don't buy a bunch of newborn clothes and register for them. Buy a few newborn outfits a few 0-3 Month outfits and a ton of 3 month outfits. I can't tell you how much newborn stuff I never even used because my son outgrew them within the first week of his life. Especially if you wash and dry them first, (which I highly, highly recommend doing!) Also don't go crazy with the blankets and bibs just yet. Newborns don't need a bib. Especially if you are breast feeding. It's just unnecessary. Until your baby starts eating solids, a burp cloth will do just fine.

     5. Breathable Bumpers is a must. All these bedding sets that come with these puffy bumpers are just asking for a lawsuit. Your baby can't really move if you put them in the crib. Even in the middle of the crib they are somewhat wiggle worms after the first few weeks of their life and they could easily wiggle up to the bumper and suffocate themselves. Babies don't know how to move away from things like that until after 6 months of their life. Despite how smart you think your newborn is, they still don't know how to help themselves. And you will sleep much easier knowing that if their little face smashes up against the bumper, they can still breathe.

     6. Newborn shoes are completely unnecessary. Like seriously your baby is going to be held or on the floor for tummy time so there is absolutely no need for shoes. And they just look dumb, in my opinion.  After 3-4 months, maybe. But seriously until they start standing on their own there is no need for shoes.

     7. Car seat and Stroller. Invest In a good one because you're going to use it every day. And also, make sure the stroller can fit in the trunk to your car. If you like to exercise then get a jogging stroller with the car seat that goes along with it. Always match brands. Never combine different ones. They are made to go together for a reason. Also, take a car seat safety class. You'd be surprised at how many people put their newborns in wrong. The hospital will help you when you leave after you give birth also.

These are just some tips from
One mommy to another. I hope they can help some Mommy's! Any questions please email me at Melissalaspata@gmail.com  I'll try my best to answer any questions!

Be a lover, not a fighter.

     Having a little boy is great. I love the dirt, bugs, and trucks.  But teaching a little boy to grow up and be a caring and loving man is another thing. I am very big on teaching my son to be compassionate. I want him to care about other people, as well as himself. For those of you who don't know the real meaning of Compassion is: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
     So teaching a little boy how to do that is a challenge. Most boys could care less about other people and their feelings.  But I've tried my hardest to teach my son how to do so. And I think I've done a pretty good job so far. I always say I want my son to grow up to be a gentleman. I don't want him to be an arrogant person who has no regards for other people. I want him to have goals, and accomplish them and to be strong willed, but not a sexist. Hopefully, along with teaching my son how to do these things he will be successful in life and respect women as long as he lives.

Here are some tips for raising little boys to be gentlemen:

• Show him love- Not just the love between you and him, show him how to love another person. Like your husband or boyfriend. If your son watches your husband/boyfriend treat you badly then obviously he's going to think that's how a man treats a woman. I know this isn't the most ideal of examples but it probably is the most important one.
• Pets-Now this is just another example. But honestly, a dog is a mans best friend. And if you have a dog, you know this. We have a little 5 pound  Yorkie, and while he is only 5 pounds he is a lot of dog. We got our dog when I was 5 months pregnant and it was one of the best $1500 we spent. (lol) My dog and my son are best friends and I know that my son truly cares about him as if he is a little brother. I always say that when little boys grow up with a dog, they're more caring people when they grow up because they've had to watch out for them and take care of them. It also teaches boys responsibility. Which they need to learn at a young age, in my opinion.
• Manners- another BIG thing. I am very tough on my son about his manners. Even at 2 years and 3 months he knows that he does not get something unless he says Please and Thank You. I always say that manners never go out of style. Especially for boys/men. Obviously he is a little boy still so I can only teach him so much right now but I will make sure of it that he has his manners and he behaves like a gentlemen should.
• Temper-Now I know that boys and men can have a temper, believe me, I know. Especially us Italians, But learning to control their temper is something they are going to have to learn. Along the way of them learning to control their temper, its your job as his mother to teach him a few things that go along with getting mad. You have to teach him and tell him that what hes feeling is okay. Everyone gets mad, but how you handle yourself in those situations will set you apart from others. In a good way of course. Make sure you let him know that when he gets mad it is not acceptable for him to hurt himself or others. He can not break things, especially if something doesn't belong to him.

      

Try these few tips and see if they help. I know from experience with my son that these tips and tricks work. I hope they can help some other moms. And don't forget, kids are sponges. What they see is what they become. BE A GOOD EXAMPLE AND ROLE MODEL FOR YOUR CHILD.