Babies. They are adorable and cuddly, but they are also a lot of work. Believe me, they are worth the effort involved; and a lot of effort that is. Because of this, reading and learning about caring for your baby is important. Even if you already have a child but are expecting another, reading is still very important.
The more books we read (and videos we watch,) the more tools we have in preparation
Remember that every single child is different. Even siblings are different; therefore, you can never read too much in preparation for your baby.
Having a plethora of ideas and tips that others have used will give you more with which to work. If tip one doesn’t work, move on to tip two. If idea one is not quite right, move on. It is better to have too much information than to wonder what to do next.
You can never start to read and learn too early
Maybe you are not a parent or even pregnant, but you want to be some day. Start reading. It can only help you prepare.
Think about all the things involved with babies: feeding, changing, bathing, sleeping, crying, etc. Now think about how tired most mothers are after child birth. Imagine trying to learn how to do EVERYTHING then. It feels like, and is, a recipe for unneeded stress.
I had a friend in high school who knew absolutely nothing when she had her baby. She didn’t know how to hold her. She didn’t know how to change her. She literally knew nothing. The hospital made her stay until she could master the basics: things like changing and holding and even feeding. Why? Because they knew that it was better for her to walk away knowing something than nothing. No need to stress out the young mother.
Now, think about how much easier it would be to know how to do something. It sounds much better. Now think about how much better it would be to know many things. Every child is different and some techniques will differ from child to child, so it is best to read as much as you can.
It is never too LATE to start learning
So you have already had the baby. Maybe your baby is already a toddler. That is okay. You can never start learning too late.
Maybe baby and toddler books no longer apply. Maybe baby is really a preschooler. Maybe he is in the 5th grade or even high school. That doesn’t matter. There are books for you, too. There are books for learning how to work with every stage that your child will go through. It’s not too late. Start now.
If you have done your reading for the early stages, wonderful. Just remember, your child will not be a baby forever. Start learning about the next chapter of their life. Enjoy each moment. Live for today, but prepare to help you child for their problems of tomorrow. It is never too late, and it is never too early.