The moment everyone has been waiting for: The baby is finally here! The joy is immense, because from now on, it's time to discover life as a family of three. If it weren't for the well-intentioned advice from experienced family members, well-meaning friends, or even strangers. Whether it's strollers, breastfeeding, or a baby sling, everyone knows and can do it better. This can be particularly unsettling for first-time mothers. With a wink, we'll share a few tips on how to respond quickly next time.
1. Baby slings – the “enemy” for every baby
Walks with your best friend and baby are wonderful because you finally have time to talk properly. Carrying your child in a sling is a great opportunity to build a closer bond with your little one – without the need for a bulky stroller. But your friend sees things completely differently: the baby can't get any air in the sling and mom is damaging her hips and back. In order not to offend her companion, mom can counter this in a funny, quick-witted way and also contribute her expert knowledge: Kangaroos show you how it's done, and monkeys and koalas are also masters in this discipline – carrying babies in front of the stomach or on the back has been proven to calm babies. If that doesn't convince you, mom can encourage her friend to try carrying her herself and show her how to easily tie a sling.
2. BREASTFEEDING? FATHER-IN-LAW IS THE BEST AT IT!
It's that time of year again – the well-known coffee morning with the family is coming up and the guests are already excited to meet the new arrival. After the second piece of cake, the baby is also hungry and starts to whine. Mom immediately comes to the rescue and starts preparing the bottle. Much to the dismay of the father-in-law, who is firmly convinced that breastfeeding is the best way to feed babies. This was already the case in his own childhood. In situations like this, it's best to question what has been said with humor: "If it always works so well, then you might as well show us how it's done." This way you can put the know-it-all out of action and avoid stepping on their toes with your funny objection. You can either let the statement hang in the air or use the time to briefly explain yourself.
3. SOME PREFER IT QUIET
Evening begins and the baby is already sleeping soundly. Finally, it's time for mom to do the things she neglected during the day: cleaning, tidying up, or simply relaxing. Everything should be done as quietly as possible so as not to wake her off. If it weren't for the neighbor who rings the doorbell furiously to quickly borrow some eggs for dinner. After a polite request not to make so much noise, as it might wake the child, she promptly receives the following advice: don't be inconsiderate of a sleeping baby! Feel free to vacuum or use the phone next to the nursery, because little ones need to get used to a certain level of noise quickly. How can mom react? Calmly and confidently – with the justification that every child is different and therefore reacts differently to noises while sleeping. Some wake up when you close the curtain on the window, while others continue to slumber peacefully if you vacuum next to the crib. Every mother has to decide for herself. And if the child does wake up and can't go back to sleep, a soothing bath ( e.g., with the Bübchen Baby Bath ) or a gentle massage can help lull them back to dreamland.
4. SHOPPING – A FUTURE LOOK
Even if the children are a little older, you are not immune to well-intentioned advice. We have all been there: The child is screaming and fidgeting in the checkout line because they absolutely want the tempting chocolate from the display. The older lady in line behind you annoyedly advises you to finally give in to your child to calm things down. What can mom do? In this case, the only thing that helps is to ignore the lady and quickly distract the child from the chocolate bar. Because if you give in to the whining once, they learn that this behavior leads to success. What is the best way to distract little ones? For example, by drawing their attention to the funny beep of the checkout. A healthy snack like chopped apples or a banana can also work wonders.
