THE MOMMY MANUAL SUPERMOM ADVICE FOR A FIRST-TIME MOMMY

You’re about to be a mother. Congratulations! But where do you start? You may have the faintest idea of what to do, what to buy, what you should prepare. Looking for all the answers can be tough. There’s no one-size-fits-all manual for this because motherhood is a different experience for every mom. But there is much to learn from the moms who have been on this journey before us.

We’ve here to share some advice from different mommies based on their own experiences.

 

You’re Going to Feel Down at the Start
“After kong manganak, nagkaroon ng time na na-depress ako. Akala ko may mali sakin, pero normal lang pala ‘to. Kung mangyari din ‘to sa yo, remember na walang shame in getting help from a medical professional,” says Mommy Gina H., 37, mother of two.

It’s true that you might feel down for a while after giving birth. But don’t worry, it’s not a flaw or a weakness. It’s a natural thing. It happens to all moms. It’s caused by constant hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy. Postpartum depression and the ‘baby blues’ are two different experiences for a new mommy. The baby blues come along with symptoms such as anxiety, crying spells, poor sleep, and being emotionally on edge. This usually goes away after a short time. Moms with postpartum depression experience this, as well as physical weakness. Just ask for help and support if you feel like you need it. You’ll be smiling with your baby soon enough.

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
“Sana hindi ako ma-pride nung first time ko maging mommy. Madali lang naman yung panganak at healthy naman yung baby ko, pero ang sakit talaga sa katawan. Kaya kahit sa mga simpleng gawaing pambahay, wag kang mahiya humingi ng tulong,” says Mommy Dea D., 35, mother of one.

Asking for help shouldn’t be something you avoid, especially if you’ve got a newborn baby. Remember, your body is going through a lot! So whether it’s with big things like preparing dinner for the family, or even small things like changing your baby’s diapers, keep in mind that you can ask for help from your partner, relatives, or friends. As the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.”

 

Take Note of Your Baby’s Sleep Cycle
“Dati, nagigising yung baby ko every 2-3 hours. Grabe yung pagod ko for the first few weeks. Buti na lang, pagkatapos ng 1-2 months, 4-5 hours na ang pagtulog nila. Kaya tiyaga-tiyaga lang mga first time mommies!” says Mommy Julie V., 31, mother of three.

Babies have irregular sleep cycles, so you’re going to be up a lot. When your baby is sleeping, take the time to rest as well if you can, so that you have enough energy to attend to their needs when they wake up.

 

Buy Only Baby Essentials
“Slow down on buying baby clothes. Ang bilis lumaki ng baby. Pipikit ka lang ng saglit, hindi na kasya yung mga damit na binili mo. So bili ka lang ng mga kailangan talaga,” says Mommy Hannah M., 29, mother of one.

A lot of new mommies get excited when they have a baby. Going on a shopping spree can be hard to resist when you want to see your baby in those cute boots. But remember that your baby’s going to grow, and grow fast, so you might not enjoy those boots for long. One tip is to invest in things that are durable and reusable so that you can pass them on to other mommies who might need them in the future.

 

Get Your Baby Used to Sounds
“Don’t keep things too quiet when your baby is sleeping. Allow some noise like some soft music or the sound of the washing machine, para masanay si baby. Just avoid anything too noisy para ‘di siya magising.” says Mommy Andrea F., 34, mother of two.

Let’s be honest. The world’s a noisy place. Sometimes, you just can’t prevent car alarms going off or dogs barking. You can ease your baby into the world of sounds by providing ambient noises for them as they sleep. But don’t go all crazy on the sounds, because you still want your baby relaxed and feeling fine.

 

Trust Your Mommy Instincts
“[Mom] always knows best! Ikaw lang nakakaalam kung ano kailangan ng baby mo. Umaga hanggang gabi, ikaw nag-aalaga sa kanila. Kaya pakinggan mo lang intuition mo,” says Mommy Mariel C., 40, mother of four.

You’ve got those brandnew mommy instincts. Being a mom, you know what’s best for your baby. If you’re not used to your new power yet, give it time. It’s important to really get in tune with your baby, since you’re the one person who will be able to get to know them best. Other people may offer you advice on your baby, but at the end of the day, it’s your own instinct that will guide you.

 

Keep Yourself Strong and Fit
“Sobrang workout yung pagiging mommy. ‘Di ko talaga inexpect kung gaano ka-challenging magbuhat ng baby buong araw. Hindi mo mapapansin sa simula, pero as time goes on magkakaroon ka ng mommy biceps.” says Mommy Jacqueline D., 31, mother of two.

As a mom, you’ve got to be strong inside and out. Being strong on the inside means having immunity and protection from illnesses, and being strong on the outside means having the physical resilience to take on the day-to-day tasks of motherhood. You can stay strong in both ways by keeping fit, having a good diet, and giving yourself an added boost with some supplements. We recommend Fortima. It has Vitamin C (500mg Sodium Ascorbate), Zinc (27.5 mg Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate, equivalent to 10 mg elemental Zinc), and Vitamin E (22 I.U. d-alpha Tocopheryl Succinate). This combination of vitamins and mineral can help you achieve better immunity, a stronger body, and smooth and healthier skin.

Being a first time mom is quite the journey. Always remember that you don’t have to go through it alone. These little nuggets of advice are some of the things that could ease you into motherhood. It may be challenging at times, but don’t worry, you’ve got this! ‘Pag may lakas ka, iba ang ganda.

Head on over now to our flagship store on Lazada or Shopee or click here to know where else you can get your daily dose of Fortima.

SOURCES:
https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/postpartum-depression
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a19757851/new-mom-things-to-know/
https://www.parents.com/baby/care/american-baby-how-tos/newborn-baby-boot-camp/