Top 5 Real Tips Every First-time Mom Should Know
Updated: Sep 13
Inspired by a Conversation with a Stranger
There I was, standing in a pizza shop—waiting… and waiting… and waiting some more.
I had tried one of those “schedule your pickup time” features (which, for the record, did not work), and found myself with an unexpected 30 minutes on my hands.
I wasn’t angry that it wasn’t ready. I reassured them I was fine. I joked about the idea of a fresh pizza—not cold or greasy. All is good.
But in reality, I was just glad to enjoy the moment…
I had left my phone in the car, I could have easily gone out to get it during the wait. But, a truly tech-free moment (take it in).
No scrolling. No checking emails. No distractions. Just… standing there, letting myself be still. It felt…really nice
And somewhere in that quiet, a woman who worked there walked up to me—a stranger who, it seemed, needed a friend.
There must’ve been something in the air—or maybe just that quiet, unspoken understanding women sometimes carry—but she started talking.
She told me she was pregnant. Not just casually sharing—but really confiding. The kind of share you haven’t even told your closest circle yet.
My husband always jokes that I have an aura about me that attracts people to open up and confide.
And then she asked me for advice. About cravings. About how if feels. About whether pregnancy and delivery is “easy” (I smiled at that one).
And I’ll be honest…it’s not painless.
I chose to have an epidural. I wanted the experience to feel as calm, controlled, and manageable as possible—and that was the right choice for me.
There is discomfort. There are moments that feel intense.
But what I remember most isn’t the pain.
It’s the moment it all faded into the background—the second they placed this tiny human on my chest, and I realized…I made this life.
And somehow, that feeling outweighed everything else.
So I answered her the only way I know how—honestly, simply, and from the heart.
And I figured… maybe someone else needs to hear it too.
Top 5 Tips for First-time Moms
Your body is your temple. Trust it, understand it, feed it.
Your body is about to do something extraordinary. Listen to it. When you’re tired, rest. When you’re hungry, eat. And yes—give into those cravings. This might be the only time you venture out of your comfort zone and break your usual routine without guilt. When something feels off, don’t ignore it. You don’t need to fight your body—you need to partner with it.
Learn—but don’t let what you read become your bible.
There’s a lot out there. Books, blogs, forums… all filled with opinions and “must-do’s.” I’m a Type A planner by nature, so I did read—but I treated it more like an encyclopedia than a roadmap. I focused on what was right in front of me instead of trying to prepare for every possible scenario.
Some of my favorites were the What to Expect series—but I’d look things up as they came, not spiral three months ahead.
Because here’s the truth: every pregnancy, every baby, every experience is different. Take it all with a grain of salt.
Trust your instincts.
As women, we are built for this. Even when you feel unsure, something inside you knows. Your maternal instincts will show up—quietly at first, and then stronger than you ever imagined.
You don’t have to have all the answers on day one. You just have to listen to that inner voice
Pay attention—you will learn your baby.
One of the most helpful things I learned was how to start recognizing different cries and what they meant. At first, it all sounds the same. Overwhelming. Loud. Constant. But over time, you begin to hear the differences.
There was a book I leaned on—not as a rulebook, but as a guide—that helped me start connecting the dots: Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg. She was known for her calm, intuitive approach to understanding babies—not just responding to them, but really reading their cues and rhythms.
It didn’t give me all the answers—but it helped me start asking the right questions.
But more than anything, experience becomes your teacher.
You will too.
Lean into your tribe.
Don’t lose yourself in the realm of being this child’s lifeline. You need stimulation, connection, and your people to keep you grounded, balanced, and thriving. Friends, family, fellow moms—find the people who lift you up and let them in. You don’t have to do it all alone. Your well-being is part of your baby’s well being too.
I don’t know if I’ll ever have a long conversation with this woman, but I have a feeling I’ll see her again. Another quick exchange across a counter. A knowing smile. Maybe a small update on how she’s doing.
And maybe that’s enough.
Because in a moment where I stepped away—away from my phone, away from the noise, away from the constant pull to stay connected—I found something real.
A simple, meaningful human connection.
The kind that reminds you what matters.
If you’re standing at the beginning of that journey—feeling both excitement and terror—you’re not alone.
You’ve got this.
Love you more. 💛
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