5 Things I Learned My First Year as a Mom
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Where shall I begin?!? I thought of writing about all the universal raves and rants most of us with children can attest to, but I’m sure there are enough articles in the blogosphere with similar musings. Instead I have decided to compile a list of practical and helpful tips that have really impacted me greatly this past year. Disclaimer: Just because these have worked for me does not mean they will work for you. As you and I both know, all babies and parents are different! I would also like to add that I am a stay at home mom, so please keep this in mind as you are reading some of my tips. With that being said, I hope some or all of my tips are helpful to you in some way!
5 Things I Learned my First Year as a Mom:
1. Boudreaux’s Butt Paste 
and Corn Starch
are a must have on my changing table!
When my baby’s bum starts to show signs of irritation, I apply this dynamic duo to her bottom after patting it dry with a soft rag. My daughter has yet to have a legit diaper rash due to this winning combination. Click here for an easy storage option for your cornstarch. FYI, we use disposable diapers, Luvs
2. Natural Lecithin is a lifesaver when you are a breastfeeding mama!
I was getting plugged ducts weekly until I began taking Natural Lecithin
3. One bath a week is enough for my baby girl!
I change her diaper multiple times throughout the day obvi, and I clean her ears and belly button a few times a week and between her toes daily. However, with everything I had to learn and juggle as a new mom (my husband is gone 2 weeks a month), a daily bath was not at the top of my list. She just made a year old on Wednesday, so I’m sure this will change as she becomes more social and active!
4. Keep calm and get in the water or sunlight!
I’m so glad that I learned early on that a “bath” or a walk outside with baby girl on my hip is a sure fire way to calm her down when she is worked up. Now that she is older, my daughter loves to sit, stand, and crawl around in the grass. She also loves to splash her bath water and try to drink it! Not only does this calm her down, but it’s a low stress activity for mama too!
5. Breastfeeding, Aromathieves, and Culturelle For Kids
are a great combination for keeping my girl healthy!
After the second time my daughter got sick and was on antibiotics, I was pretty determined to do what I could to prevent her from getting sick in the future. I began giving her probiotics daily. She was not eating pureed food yet, so I just put the powder on my finger and let her suck it off. Now I put the powder in her breakfast or lunch. I also began mixing an essential oil blend (Aromathieves) with pure, unrefined, cold pressed Coconut Oil
I received a ton of advice when people learned I was expecting Cadence in 2013. People also gave me lots of tips upon realizing that I was a new mom. However, I sort of just stumbled upon these tips as I began my mommy journey. I know that not all advice regarding children is cut and dried, but these tips worked wonders for Cady and me.
What are some helpful tips you have learned since becoming a mom?
Lauren
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Boudreaux’s came out just as my youngest was getting out of diapers, so I have limited experience with it, but I have heard other moms rave about it and say that it is far better than Desitin or A&D. Is it available outside Louisiana? I hope so. I know moms in other areas will like it, too. :0)
(Jumping in here Lauren. 😀 ) Hey Michelle, I’ve used lots of different creams on my munchkin and when I worked in child care, and Bodreaux’s is my all-time favorite. Since I’ve lived all over I know that you can get it just about anywhere. New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and everywhere in between – are places I know for sure. 😉
Lauren! What a beautiful picture!
1. For sure! My daughter got a couple of horrible rashes when she was a baby. That combo cleared it up when other stuff didn’t. I even had tried the mix of athlete’s foot cream, Desitin, and hydro cortisone cream. Didn’t touch it.
3. My daughter is now 2.5yrs and we still only do 2-3 baths a week. Here is Maine, winter has hit early and we heat with wood. All that means dry skin so she really only gets 2 baths a week right now. Since all the dirt and mud is frozen, she doesn’t really get dirty so doesn’t really need more than that. 🙂