5 Tips For Every New Mom

I've only been part of the "mom club" for 4.5 months but there are a few things that you learn quickly! Here are 5 Tips For Every New Mom that will save you some stress and meltdowns... all from firsthand experience ;)

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ONE | Always have a change of clothes for baby in the diaper bag. Baby blowouts are not something to be taken lightly. Sh** happens. It's amazing how dirty a tiny newborn can get and there's nothing cute about poop exploding halfway up their back in the middle of Target and not having a clean outfit to put them in. I'm telling you this from experience.

TWO | Never say never. For example, "I am never feeding my baby formula", "I am never giving my baby a paci", "I am never letting my child watch tv", "I am never ____" because you will eat your words. When it's 2am and you haven't slept more than 20 minutes, all bets are off and you're pulling out your big guns. Convenience and sleep are crucial and you will likely do things post-baby that you swore to yourself you would not do pre-baby.

THREE | Go ahead and buy stock in pacis. Even though Vivi doesn't really like them, we have them scattered all over the house. Also, multiple pacis in the crib is key for when you're sleep deprived and fumbling around in the dark for anything to make them stop crying. Also, I'm convinced pacis disappear just like socks in the dryer. Stock up so you aren't making your husband run to the store at 11pm... again, from experience.

FOUR | Don't be offended by the comments people make to you. People will give you unsolicited advice and say things that leave you shaking your head. An older lady walked up to me when Vivi was about a month old and said, "Wow her eyelids are really red"... [Oh really, that's weird, I never noticed in the last 30 days of staring at her 24/7. Thanks for letting me know.] "Yes ma'am, they are called stork bites, they are temporary birthmarks that will fade in a few months". "Things aren't simple like they used to be". Wtf?? Just smile and walk away.

FIVE | Buy all the bright, tacky colored things. I know you probably don't want your perfectly decorated home filled with rainbow colored plastic toys and exersaucers. I didn't either. Now it looks like our house threw up rainbow but if it makes her happy, I'm happy. When she's grown and my home is perfectly decorated and spotless, I will be longing for a living room filled with exersaucers and play mats.

Veteran mamas, what other tips would you add for new mamas?! Linking up with April and Amanda!