Quick Tips for New Moms

Too many toys to choose from can overwhelm a baby, and playing with the same toys over and over becomes boring, so rotating toys works well. Besides, taking into consideration the relatively short-term memory of a baby, a toy that comes out of storage after a couple of weeks is greeted like a brand new one from the store—and you're the hero who gets to give this gift over and over.

What Not to Wear . . .

People love to shower pregnant women with cute, little newborn clothes, and who can resist those soft, cuddly outfits? The guidance that most pregnant women need, to save them from a mad nesting frenzy mistake, is to only cut off the tags of a few outfits from the gift pile before the birth of your baby. You may use fewer of the fancy outfits during the first months postpartum, since you will spend a lot of time at home—and sleep-deprived parents will appreciate easy-on/easy-off clothes when it comes to changing a fussy or messy baby.

Additionally, until your baby is actually put onto a scale, you will not know what sizes will fit during what seasons. Why get stuck with clothes that you can't use? Keeping most of the clothes at bay with tags intact is an insurance policy allowing you to swap sizes later. My doctor anticipated a six-pound baby during my last sonogram, but my son came crashing into the world at an unbelievable 11 pounds, two ounces! I was indebted to the mom who warned me to keep the little stuff ready to return. He never wore zero-to-three month clothes or newborn diapers—not even in the hospital.

It just goes to show, a lot of motherhood will surprise even the most informed women. Be open and tolerate the extra advice—you never know when it may come in handy.