Greater Vancouver Baby Guide 2023-2024

3. Drown Out the Noise: As you have
probably already experienced, everyone from
your best friend to your elderly neighbor is
more that happy to hand out their share of
advice. Some of it might be helpful, some of it
will not be. I encourage you to thank them for
their input, but also to listen to your own inner
voice. Your own motherly instinct. What works
for one person’s baby, may not work or be the
same for yours and that is okay.
4. Stop Comparing Your Baby to
Everyone Else’s Baby: This is a tough one,
believe me! You’ve got Susie down the street
whose baby has slept through the night from
night one, to Julie at Mother Goose whose
child is already saying “words” at 6 months!
It can be very discouraging and upsetting at
times to hear what everyone else’s baby is up
to! I encourage you to let it go. Your baby is
special and unique. All babies will develop
differently and that is the beauty of it. I know
that I used to compare my first baby in the
beginning, as she was colic. She was always
the only baby at the playgroup in a carrier,
screaming … and I had to stop comparing her,
and that was tough. But I had to remember that
I was doing my very best, and she was being
her unique wonderful little self (although very
loud!). Your baby will develop perfectly in his/
her own time and remembering that can take a
huge load off your shoulders!
5. Take “Me Time” Without Baby:
This a SO important for your mental health.
A break, time away, a time to restore. This could
look like 5 minutes in the bathroom by yourself
(it’s a start!) to a weekend away with your
girlfriends or partner. There is no specific right
answer when it comes to what “me time” should
look like. It should be unique to you, and it
should help you to walk back into the room,
ready to go again as a mom. Find something
that helps you to reset and something that you
can commit to. Maybe it a walk alone with the
dog or listening to a few of your favorite songs.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help to make this “me
time” happen! Hire a sitter, ask Grandma, or
your partner! Remember most friends and family
are more than happy to help, you just have to
be willing to ask!
6. Get Adequate Sleep (You and Baby!):
This is an extremely important one. It has
become very normalized that Mom’s should just
be exhausted all the time, and that is part of
motherhood. While it is true that parenthood is
exhausting, it is also completely normal to want,
need and deserve sleep. It is a vital part of our
health and well being, and a vital part of your
baby’s development as well. It starts with
making sure baby is getting the rest that they
need! Make sure that you are following correct
awake windows for your baby’s age, are
following safe sleep guidelines, are making
sure that their sleep environment is dark, cool,
and comfortable and establishing and
following a bedtime routine. If they are getting
the daytime and nighttime sleep that they need,
you are more likely to get the rest that you need
as well. Make sure that you also have a
bedtime routine, a comfortable sleeping
environment and turn off those screens before
bedtime! The benefits of sleep for both you and
baby are incredible, so make sure to make this
a priority.
7. Get Outside: Take a walk, go to the park,
play in the yard! Getting fresh air has many
benefits for both you and baby! It can improve
your mood and has numerous health benefits!
Plus, if your baby is getting fresh air and
physical activity (once they are moving around)
it is wonderful for baby and even promotes
sleep! Many people do not realize that the sun
is a source of blue light that can help with
melatonin production, leading to better sleep for
you and baby!
8. Give Yourself Some Grace: This is a key!
Parenting is a magical and rewarding
experience, but it is also the most difficult job
out there. You are going to make mistakes, you
are going to be tired, you are going to be
overwhelmed. These feelings are all completely
12 • www.modernmama.com | GREATER VANCOUVER | A RESOURCE GUIDE | 2023/2024 Edition