Can we all just take a second  to think of what miracles the woman's body is capable of doing. Motherhood forms us into a shape we never knew existed. The level of multitasking along with the many hats a mother wears at one time truly leaves me speechless each and every day. As a first time mom there are a few key pieces of advice I wish I knew during my 4th trimester.

It's okay to turn down visitors. You may feel obligated to allow visitors to come over, especially when it is convenient for them. Just because they are in the area and want to stop by does not mean they can. You do not have the capacity to care for your newborn while offering drinks at the same time.

Sleep when you can, don't sleep when you can't. The worldwide advice is to sleep when your baby is asleep, but let's face the true fact that it is impossible. Over the course of 40 weeks your body has prepared you to be awake for long periods of time. Remember pregnancy insomnia? Well it has come again, except this time you're not pregnant anymore. You will quickly learn how short nights are. I've personally stayed awake many nights admiring my son and was surprised to peek out my window to see the sun coming up. None-the-less, when you are feeling tired choose rest and not activity.

There is no such thing as spoiling your newborn!!!  They still think they are on the inside and need mommy to help them adjust. This is an extremely controversial topic within the parent community. Yes, your baby is resilient and knows how to get you to do what they want, however, they are not tricking you into holding them more. Your baby is meant to be held. They will one day no longer let you hold them and you will wish you had those moments back! Hold them while you can, after all you've waited 40 weeks to finally meet them so dont treat them as if  you weren't so anxious. 

Accept help. Rome was not built in a day. Things may not get done exactly the way you like it, but there is love in every movement of it being done. Being a mother I have accepted that it is nearly impossible to have it all together.  We can't do it all for everything, but we can do it all for our baby. In order to make that happen we have to step back and let others help with what's not important so we can focus on bonding.

Saved the best for last. If someone is being rude, say something! Sadly, the most judgemental person to a new mother are other seasoned mothers. At times we tend to forget that a mother's mental state is not at its baseline just yet. The slightest comment can make her cry.  Oftentimes people give suggestions as instructions and are displeased when they don't see you acting out their "advice". It is okay to respectfully put your foot down. This is YOUR journey, what worked for them worked for them.  What works for you works for you. Accept the advice you like, leave the advice you dont like.