Attention pregnant mamas! While some of Blooma’s newest mothers are just a few months beyond where you moms-to-be are, they’d like to share some of their recently-discovered wisdom with you.

Bring Your Own Baby yoga teacher Corrine Gernes asked a full class of moms with babies under 7 months old, “What do you wish you would have known or been told about before baby came?” These mamas had awesome advice and Corrine was savvy enough to take notes. You may even want to bookmark this page and come back to it several times!

Here is what the mamas said they wish they would have known more about before baby:

 ***BREASTFEEDING***

This came up the most, they wish they would have:

• known it can be difficult
• known when they should seek help
• read about it BEFORE baby came
• known that you burn more calories than when pregnant, so keep the snacks around
• that it’s okay if it doesn’t work great day one…or week one…stick with it and get help

Recommended breastfeeding resources: Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding, Dr. Jack Newman’s Online resources and books on breastfeeding, breastfeeding class highly recommended

***SLEEP / SCHEDULE***

This was the second most mentioned topic, they wish they would have:

• read up on sleep and scheduling BEFORE baby came
• had a plan in place with their partner on setting a schedule

Books that helped: No Cry Sleep Solution, Happiest Baby on the Block (also a DVD)

***CONNECT WITH OTHER MOMS***

• Meet the woman next to you in prenatal- she could be your best friend in 10 months
• Go to New Mama groups
• Force yourself to set a 3 week date with another mom
• Try not to compare yourself to other moms! Every baby is different and every mom needs to mother differently.

***FOOD***

• Set up a meal calendar (or ask a friend to) for postpartum meal drop-offs
• Have friends bring food instead of outfits & rest when there is someone there to hold the baby. Don’t entertain in first month.
• Freeze meals in advance
• Stock up on Trader Joe’s frozen meals when meal calendar runs out

***BIRTH AND BABY***

• Research and be prepared and educated about the whole spectrum of birth, including C-sections
• Be able to change your birth plan
• Know your OB and hospital rates of interventions, what those interventions mostly are, and why/when they’re used
• Hire a doula
• Find a pediatrician BEFORE baby is born- get recommendations from other moms and interview several

***PARTNER TIME***

• Spend time with your partner- go out on lots of dates
• Make sure you’re on solid ground because you’re world is about to be turned upside down

So, moms-to-be, what do you think of this list? Are there any experienced moms out there who would like to add any helpful tips?

Hugs,

Alisa, Sarah & the women of Blooma