Parenting
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Advice from a new mom, going into 2026
Cradlewise Staff
As a new mom, I received a lot of well-meaning pieces of advice from friends, family, and (sometimes neighbors too.) as people often want to support mothers in this new phase of life. While much of it came from a good place of wanting to support a new mom in this new phase of life, the sheer volume of advice would feel overwhelming.
Some advice supported me in meaningful ways. Some didn’t fit my reality. And some made the early days feel heavier than they needed to be. In the end, much of what I learned came from trial and error: tuning in, adapting, and trusting what worked for my baby and me.
What I discovered as a new mother may be helpful to others starting this journey, whether in 2025, 2026, or beyond. Read on for honest advice from a new mom as we look ahead to 2026.
If you’re beginning your motherhood journey in 2026, here are a few things I wish someone had told me, from one mom to another.
1. Treat yourself with self-compassion
I was surprised by how loud my self-doubt became after becoming a mom. On tough days, it felt like every choice was under a microscope. What helped was catching that spiral and reminding myself that I was learning, just like my baby was. Being a little kinder to myself didn’t solve the exhaustion, but it softened it.
So in case you find yourself in one of these moments, instead of replaying what you think you did wrong, try offering yourself the kindness you’d give a close friend. A small shift in self-talk can change how you move through emotions and deal with exhaustion and overwhelm.
Tip: When negative self-talk starts, ask yourself, “What would I say to another mom at this moment?,” then say that to yourself.
2. Rest is productive, not a reward
I went into motherhood fully expecting to put my baby first, but I didn’t realize how quickly I’d start putting myself last. Rest felt like something I had to earn, only after everything else was done.
What I learned the hard way is that lack of sleep changes everything. I was more emotional, more forgetful, and far less patient than I wanted to be. Even a little rest made a noticeable difference in how I showed up for my baby and for myself.
Remind yourself that rest allows you to show up with more patience and clarity. A well-rested mother is happier, and more alert and present.
Tip: Even short moments of rest matter; a catnap here and there. Schedule them where you can, without guilt.
3. Set realistic fitness goals
Social media made it easy to think I should be doing more: more steps, more workouts, more effort to get my body “back.” It’s easy to believe that bouncing back means 10,000 steps a day, signing up for Pilates and aerial Yoga classes, or lifting weights within weeks of birth. But caring for a baby already asks so much of your body, both physically and emotionally.
I learned that pushing myself before I was ready didn’t make me feel empowered; it left me exhausted. These wise words, “The goal should not be to return to the body you once had. The goal should be to function at the highest capacity in your new body,” by Jenna Perkins, Women’s Health NP, and pelvic floor specialist, reiterated what I learned.
Letting fitness take a back seat for a while gave my body the space it needed to heal. Fitness can wait; healing and nourishment come first.
Tip: Choose movements that fit in your day like gentle walks in your neighborhood, stretching for even 10 mindful minutes, exercises like squats and lunges which do not require a home gym or special equipment.
4. Give yourself grace
Before my baby came, I used to take pride in my organizational skills. I made to-do lists and prided myself on sticking to them. Motherhood quickly taught me that babies and to-do lists don’t always go hand in hand.
There were days when the house was messy, laundry was piled high, and the dishwasher needed to be loaded while I hadn’t taken a bath since morning because my baby needed me constantly. The ‘old me’ would have felt overwhelmed. Over time, I learned to go with the flow. Instead of feeling guilty, I chose presence over productivity.
What helped me in moments like that was pausing for a breath: taking a walk to the park or a few minutes of fresh air or sleeping when my baby slept. Even small resets made a difference. The dishes will still be there and that’s okay; you can do it later or the next day. This phase of your baby is fleeting; make the most of it.
Tip: Connecting with other mothers who have been or are in the same position can make grace feel easier to practice. Both in-person and online communities can help. Platforms like Peanut, The MomCo and SocialMama offer safe, supporting and non-judgemental spaces for new moms to share honestly and feel less alone.
5. Practice HALT
HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. These four basic states that can quietly fuel overwhelm.
In the early months after giving birth, when everything felt new and intense, this simple check-in helped me. I noticed that a lot of my hardest moments had less to do with parenting skills and more about being hungry, exhausted, or needing a bit of connection.
I learned to pause every once in a while to check in with myself because even small stressors can spiral and things can go out of hand. Tending to just one of those needs could noticeably shift how I felt.
Tip: When things feel too heavy, ask yourself which HALT need might be unmet and tend to that first.
6. Feel free to change your mind about what works
I began motherhood with strong opinions about feeding plans and breast milk, only to realize that things wouldn’t unfold the way I’d imagined. Even the bedtime routine that worked beautifully for a few weeks suddenly suddenly stopped working, reminding me that what works today may not work the next day, next week, or next month.
My baby grew, routines shifted, and my needs evolved too. Staying flexible allowed me to adapt with changing times without guilt.
Tip: Give yourself permission to pivot when something no longer serves you or your baby. No one needs to validate your actions; no one matters but you and your baby.
7. Build a village
I’ve always been independent and used to doing things on my own. Motherhood has changed my perception of what’s sustainable. Over time, I realized I could not bring up my child without any support and how much lighter things felt when I didn’t have to carry everything alone.
There’s a reason people say it takes a village. Mine showed up in ways I’ll never forget.
Once, I needed someone to stay with my newborn while I rushed my toddler to the ER. Another time, I was completely exhausted: one baby crying, the other needing me constantly, and I called a neighbor who stayed until everyone, including me, had calmed down.
Those moments reminded me how much difference a trusted, non-judgmental support system can make. Start identifying people who feel safe, supportive, and consistent.
Tip: You don’t need a large network. Begin small; one reliable person from your workplace, community, neighborhood or older child’s school group can make a meaningful difference.
8. Avoid comparison
Comparison showed up for me quietly, especially in the early days. It happened to me and I started asking myself:
“Why hasn’t my baby learned to walk yet while others at the same age can?”
“Am I doing something wrong if I don’t offer a night feed?“
I realized that comparing milestones or parenting choices only added stress without giving me clarity. Every baby, every body, and every family dynamic is different.
What worked beautifully for one mom, or even for me with my first child, didn’t always work the second time around.
Tip: When comparison creeps in, step away from the triggers and refocus on what’s working best for you.
9. Learn to ask for, and accept help
Doing everything myself felt noble, but slowly and quietly it led to burnout. I worried that accepting help meant I wasn’t doing enough as a mother. What I eventually learned was the opposite: asking for help protected my energy and my well-being.
I started small. I asked people around me to help with everyday tasks. My partner took on more household responsibilities, friends helped with groceries and errands, and those small shifts made a noticeable difference.
I also realized that support doesn’t only come from people. Thoughtfully designed tools can ease daily strain too: a smart crib that supports sleep or an automatic baby formula dispenser that supports feeding can give you precious time and energy.
Tip: Accept help in whatever form feels comfortable. Conserving your energy is an act of care, not selfishness.
10. Learn to trust yourself
In the early days, advice came from everywhere—relatives, friends, strangers I met in the park or super market, even social media. And at times it got loud, persistent and unwelcome. No matter what I did, it seemed like someone had an opinion, and I slowly started questioning even the smallest decisions.
I decided that while guidance was helpful, no one knew my baby the way I did. I began setting gentler boundaries with advice: stepping back from social media when it felt too loud and letting go of input that didn’t resonate with my baby or our situation.
Your instincts are built through daily observation, connection, and love. Don’t worry, though learning to trust your instincts takes time, it grows stronger with practice.
Tip: When advice feels overwhelming, step away from the noise; pause and listen to what feels right for your baby and your family.
11. Celebrate small wins
In motherhood, progress often shows up quietly. For me, it looked like a successful latch, a slightly longer nap, or the moment my baby followed my finger and smiled. On some days, those small moments were the only signs that things were moving forward, and they mattered more than I expected.
Celebrating small wins builds confidence and gratitude. They reminded me that even on hard days, good moments exist. Those moments matter more than you think.
Tip: At the end of each day, name one small thing that went well. It can go in your gratitude journal if you feel like; it brings positivity.
A gentle note as we step into 2026
Motherhood is about learning, unlearning, and trusting nature. If this past year taught me anything, it’s that caring for myself is inseparable from caring for my baby. As you move into the new year, I hope you carry compassion for yourself, trust in your instincts, and the reminder that you are doing the best you can, and that is good enough.
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