Congratulations, new mom! Motherhood is an exciting new experience, but it can be intimidating, too. There are going to be a lot of sleepless nights and a few rough days. But you’ve got this, mom! 

Read on for our six survival tips for new moms. 

1. Sleep When You Can 

Sleep is on the mind of every new parent. It’s the number one thing they need, and one of the hardest to get. Our first survival tip is to sleep whenever you can. That may be a nap in the middle of the day, a few hours at night, or even a few minutes of shut eye in the backseat of your car. Sleep is important! Get it in whenever possible. 

If you’re having a hard time sleeping, consider taking CBD capsules or gummies (https://cbdfx.com/collections/cbd-gummies/) for sleep. They’re non-psychoactive and won’t leave you with any impairment.

2. Cook in Large Quantities

Food is just as important as sleep. Without food, your body and brain can’t function fully. One of our favorite tips is to cook in large quantities and freeze it for later. 

Here’s the thing: it basically takes the same amount of time to cook a single serving of food as it does to cook a meal for 12. If you need to take the time anyway, it makes more sense to make it count. Cook several meals worth of food, portion it out into several nights of meals, and freeze it. Simply defrost it when you need it, and dinner is served! 

Soups, casseroles, and chilis are all great choices as they freeze and defrost wonderfully. 

3. Get Outside 

New parents often experience the feeling of being trapped in their homes. They have a new, fragile little human and the thought of doing anything outside of their home’s four walls feels dangerous. The truth, however, is that sunshine is vital, not just for baby, but for you, too. 

Try to get outside every single day, even if it’s just a short sit outside on the patio or on your front steps. The fresh air and sunshine will revitalize you and help you feel brand new. 

4. Don’t Be Afraid of Parenting Classes

Unfortunately, parenting classes have quite the stigma surrounding them. Some people associate the need for parenting classes with being a bad parent. But that’s anything from the truth. 

Here’s the thing: parenting is hard! Everyone could use pointers and advice, or at least someone to ask questions. 

Parenting classes are widely available at local colleges, community centers, online, and more. They’re an opportunity to learn strong parenting skills in a safe and helpful environment, with advice you can trust. You can suss out whether the challenges you’re facing are a point of concern or whether they’re totally normal. Best of all, you’ll be surrounded by a community of people in the same situation. 

You can take classes on new parenting, sleep training, infant first aid, and more. Best of all, they’re often free!

5. Look for Infant Hours 

A lot of new parents dread having to give up their daily routines. That includes things like going to the gym, yoga class, catching a movie at the local theater, and more. 

The good news is that many local institutions offer designated infant hours for new parents. These are times when it’s okay to nurse, soothe a crying baby, and more. You’ll be surrounded by a group of new parents who are sympathetic to your needs, rather than annoyed. 

Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet other new parents! Who knows; you may meet your new best friends! 

6. Take Time for Yourself 

As a brand-new parent, it can feel hard to imagine taking a single moment of time away from your baby. Many new parents feel selfish doing anything for themselves in the first few months of parenthood. 
The thing is, you need to take care of yourself. It’s not only important for you, but it enables you to be a better parent, too. A bath, a nap, or a little alone time gives you the opportunity to recharge, so that you can be alert and aware while taking care of your brand-new baby.