Infant Rules

1. When you lay your baby down for the night and he isn't asleep do not go to bed yourself. You will only be disappointed. As soon as you go to sleep he will cry. It is best to wait until he has been asleep for a good 15 minutes before you go to bed. This will make you a lot less cranky.

2. Follow your gut. If you followed everyone's "you need to do this" your baby will be a research lab rat. I usually ask my mom, maybe a few friends, and then do what I think is best.

3. Do your own thing from time to time. Mommy guilt is horrible but work past it. It gets easier every time. If you lose your mind, you help no one.

4. Rant only to "safe" people. The last thing you want to hear is "but don't you just love your baby". Well duh I love my baby but it doesn't mean I don't hate living on basically no sleep. I've heard that after a certain amount of time your mind forgets how bad it was having a newborn.

5. Research is key before buying new baby products. My go to place is Amazon reviews and other moms. I have several purchases that I wish I could take back because they sucked.

6. Don't lie to other moms that have newborns. They need to know they aren't alone. If you paint a rainbows and sunshine life you are probably making them feel like crap. Be a friend-share your misery. 

7. Plan ahead. This one is easy for me because I'm a planner but if you are not you better learn quick. The last thing you need is to run out of diapers at 2 am. Also, who wants to make numerous trips to the store with a baby. 

8. The first time you go to the store that has buggies make sure you bring someone with you. The car seat that we have has these little clasps that work there way around the metal part of the buggy.  You have to press them lose to get the car seat off. Imagine being in Walmart parking lot with it freezing and you can't get the car seat off the buggy. I seriously freaked out. It took me a good 5 minutes to figure it out and I promise I'm not an idiot. 

9. Go ahead and stock up on gas drops. They are your friend.

10. Don't buy too many clothes. Sometimes I change Jack's outfits during the day just so he will have a chance to wear it. He has worn a few things a few times but most things only once. Also, don't buy too many "going out" outfits. You probably aren't going many places in the newborn stage. Sleepers is what your little one will mainly wear.