What I wish I knew as a first time parent...

Taking a new baby home for the first time can be very overwhelming.  The sleepless nights and crying can often lead to first time parents doubting their abilities.  Rest assured, you are not alone and you are doing a fantastic job!  Here are a few tips we wish we had been given when we first embarked on the wonderful journey of parenthood:

Don't confuse Spit-Up for Vomit

Spit-up and vomit look pretty much the same. Spit-up is no cause for concern, though, while vomit is. You can tell the difference by frequency. Vomiting every 30 to 45 minutes, whether there was a recent feeding or not. Spit-up usually happens soon after feeding.

Stay Calm - try not to panic about Everything

New parents often have panicky reactions to everything their baby does. They worry that normal spitting up means their baby is sick, that their baby is crying too much, that their baby is not eating enough. Not only is this exhausting and stressful, but it makes the baby anxious, too. When things get scary, try to take a few seconds out to calm down and get some perspective.

Don't ignore a Fever

A baby's immune system cannot handle an infection on its own. In an adult, a fever over 100.4 is no big deal, usually. In a baby three months or younger, a temperature over 100.4 rectally means you need to call your doctor immediately.

Don't ignore your marriage

Being a new parent can be overwhelming. It is tempting to make time by putting personal issues aside. However, staying connected to your partner is important not only to the two of you, but also to your child. You need to somehow take the time to keep a sense of being a couple. This will make being a parent easier.

Don't fight in front of the baby

Babies pick up on vibes. While everyone snaps every once in a while, frequent fighting can traumatize your baby. So can extremely loud and scary fighting. Suppressing anger in front of the baby is also a bad idea.

In Conclusion

Relax! The biggest mistake you can make is overreacting. Talk to some more experienced parents. Babies are much more resilient than you are giving them credit for.