by Deidra Romero posted in Parenting

Bringing my son home from the hospital was the biggest gear-shift of my life. I?ve made several major moves and career changes, but nothing prepared me for the adjustment of those first few days at home with my son. Looking back I wish someone would have warned me. Here are the top 10 things I wish I had known when I brought my baby home from the hospital.

Don?t worry about a schedule.

When I brought my first baby home from the hospital I was frantic for some normalcy. I was eager to get into a groove and a schedule, something -- anything -- to make life feel predictable. I wish I had known about what I now call the ?newborn fog.? It?s those blissful few weeks after your baby comes home from the hospital when all you worry about is sleeping, eating, and holding your baby. I was so anxious to establish a routine that I almost missed this fog that forces you to be present in every moment.
Focus on full feedings.

Before I had my second baby I asked my son?s pediatrician her best advice when it comes to newborn sleep. Her response was simple and easy: focus on full feedings. Making sure your baby is getting full feedings is the best way to ensure longer stretches of sleep. Full feedings will also lay the foundation for a solid schedule later on.

Newborn care is different from baby care.

Before I had my son I didn?t realize that taking care of a newborn is totally different from caring for a baby. Newborns are so incredibly needy and...