Getting the baby blues when you come home from the hospital! I did not expect this and I was so sad/depressed/stressed. I cried every day for two weeks about everything. Hormones are still out of whack. Just watch out for post partum depression.

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I love this post thank you for starting it and thank you to everyone for sharing your tips. Brilliant! @ If1, I'm with you-I've been a nanny for years, but the thought of bringing my own home and never clocking out is... well different lol.

Nursing can give you contractions after labor and nausea for the first few weeks. I thought I was going to barf on the baby a few times...., but it got better over time. Also, always have a water bottle with you while breastfeeding/pumping. You get crazy thirsty.

@beth656 That's so true!!! Some nurses and others will say every so many hours but nursing on demand is proven to be what baby needs. My cousin listened to the nurses and fed her staving little newborn only according to schedule and he was always always crying, but she kept sticking to schedule. I felt sad for him.

If the diaper size you're currently using is leaking every time, it's time to move up a size!!

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Nurse on demand!!! It's the number one way to build up supply, your going to hear a lot of "but he just ate 10minutes ago" and your gonna be doing a lot of couch time but oh well it works and makes life much easier in the long run. Only listen to the baby and their cues rather than following some schedule like "only every 3 hours" etc

Definitely seeing my body in the mirror for the first few days was overwhelming at first but now I know what to expect!

Breastfeeding: nipples will begin to hurt within a few days, I think it was the day of leaving the hospital, but will eventually subside and toughen so don't give up if you've chosen to breastfeed. Just use the recommended ointment.

@harp 1019 Yes my first daughter had a little blood vaginally...they call it "crystal" something..can't remember the full name but it was alarming for us at the time

* I had a cesarean. My first poop was around 8 days after and recovery was worse than my actual cesarean. And that was with stool softeners.

* Seeing yourself in the mirror those first few days is tough, your uterus is still stretched out and takes some time to start going back to normal.

* I am normally very level headed and keep my emotions in check with minimal effort. After my first I was consumed with anxiety and fear that something would happen to her. It passed but I didn't expect it. I still worry but I don't stay up at night crying like I did the first few weeks. Hormones are crazy for a few weeks/months after delivery.

* If you choose to breastfeed know it's hard but it does get better. Nipple shields were a lifesaver for me and drink a ton of water! Also, the more you feed/pump the more your body produces. I was scared to pump thinking I wouldn't have enough to feed dd when she needed to eat so I diminished my own supply. Kelly mom is the best resource for breastfeeding help.

This may be a little out there but it's something I don't think many people know with newborns. With boys they can get an erection and with girls they can both lactate and possibly bleed vaginally. All of this is normal but can be quite scary/alarming if you aren't aware of the possibility!

If you wind up tearing or get an episiotomy remember that when you stand up to be just as careful as when you sat down. I didn't realize this and ripped out most of my stitches... very painful.

A nurse will follow you into the bathroom your first time going after having baby. I was so shocked but very relieved. They'll give you a bottle to spray on yourself to help with burning and then this spray that numbs you, use it! It's a life saver. And stock up a bit on tucks pads, i didnt know what they were until I got to the hospital.. then when I ran out my hubby was awesome and went and got some but he said with this one we'll be stocking so we can just get them online instead of having to go to the local Walmart LOL.

If you take meds after labor keep up with them, nurses will help encourage this, you never wanna play catch up. Rest relax enjoy the time. But still get up and move around. Moving around will feel awful. But get you back faster. Make it a balance.

Don't be afraid if people come to visit to request them to bring something. You want a milkshake, they better bring a milkshake. Same goes to please don't feel like you have to let them come visit. - say we'll take this time to get to know each other and will allow visitors later in a few days/weeks. You're the parent you're the one in control.

Take a tote or bag to put everything in the hospital gives you. Diapers, wipes, pads, mesh undies, all the little things.

Ask questions and ask for help. Never be afraid you're doing something wrong because it's all a learning experience. Nurses and people are there to help.

Thanks for this!!! I'm fortunate enough to have nannied for many families and have a leg up on most ftm but these newborns kind of freak me out. Plus all the stuff about my own body after delivery I'm pretty clueless to other than things I've been reading these last few months.

After delivery, when they offer stool softeners TAKE THEM. No one told me that the first BM after delivery actually feels worse than delivery. And I got a lot of "you'll be back in your jeans leaving the hospital, you'll snap right back" comments & was horrified by my body when I went to shower in the hospital. It's 100% ok that your body is taking its time to heal, your still very swollen everywhere for a few weeks, and the baby weight will eventually fall off if you take care of yourself ☺️ if you can't/unable/overwhelmed with breastfeeding, do not let anyone put you down for it ! You as a mother know what best for the both of you. Breastfeeding is HARD.

Yes!! Totally agree with not being afraid to tell people to leave when you're in labour as I had a room full of my spouses family and it so bothered me but I was too scared to offend anyone...looking back I'd say GO please.

And even getting home same thing...people everyday, it was too much on me.

Now when anyone has a baby I take time before going to visit them and I make sure they're ok with it.

If your having a little boy, point the penis down when putting on the diaper. I couldn't for the life of me figure out how my son kept getting his stomach soaking wet. That was why lol. If you get a chance before babies born, make some freezer meals, they come in so handy during those first few weeks. Don't be afraid to be selfish, I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by telling them "no" or that I didn't want a ton of people in my hospital room after DS was born. That will not happen this time. I was so overwhelmed by extended family and in laws just over staying their welcome. At one point I had 11 people standing in my hospital room passing around my newborn ?. Be easy on yourself, as a new mom your learning and at times you will get overwhelmed, everyone does.

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