Why You Should Forget “Mom Advice”

When you’re a brand new mom, you’re flooded with lots of opinions and advice. One area that can be hard to navigate is what choice to make for breastfeeding vs bottle feeding. It’s one of the first decisions you’ll make for your newborn, and that choice may change over time as your baby grows, too. As your child starts growing older, sometimes you’re not sure about what is normal and what milestones and steps should come next. While there are so many different questions along the way, most of the time, that “mom advice” you’ll receive doesn’t really matter. Let’s take that first big feeding question as an example.

Post sponsored by Mirum. Opinions are 100% my own.

What’s the Right Feeding Choice?

I loved this video, produced by Parent’s Choice, that really shows no matter what choice is the right one for your family, be confident in your decision! Only you know what decision will be the best one for your families needs and unique situations. The most important thing is helping your baby and toddler to grow and be healthy, and no matter which feeding choice you decide on, you’re baby will be perfectly fine!

Isn’t that really the heart of the issue? You’ll ask your friends, family, and even strangers online for advice and opinions. Usually, the result is you feel more conflicted by the answers than before you even asked. There is no one right way to parents. We are all different people. Our children are all different. Even two children born into the same family are completely different and what works for one may not work for your next child.

How do I know what’s the best choice for my baby?

If you feel lost and confused, start by talking to your child’s pediatrician. They’ll have the most accurate information on what is developmentally appropriate and important for your child. You may be surprised when the doctor tells you that so many of the decisions are really up to you. There isn’t one right or wrong way to do things, and even the doctors know that! If you have a really opinionated doctor, keep in mind their advice is just as big of a grain of salt, too, as long as it is not in relation to your child’s medical needs, growth, or development.

From there, don’t be afraid to wholeheartedly trust your instincts! I really believe that you are the exact perfect parent for your child. That doesn’t mean the road will always be easy – but there is value in those parenting lessons we learn every single day.

What to do with “Mom Advice”?

If you’re seeking advice, start by asking your few closest mom friends. Asking moms that are at the same parenting stages as you is the most helpful, because they’re right in the same trenches of parenting that you are facing and are carving their own paths. Instead of being firm and immovable on their opinions and advice, often they’ll just share what’s been working for them and be eager to hear your ideas, too. Just recognize that you may need to toss all the feedback and ideas right out the window if it just doesn’t feel right for your family.

You shouldn’t be afraid to politely decline any unsolicited advice before it starts. You’ll hear all sorts of that type of advice especially from your parents, in-laws, grandparents, and the older generations that aren’t even in the same daily struggles. It can be as simple as saying something like, “I appreciate that you’re trying to help, but I’ve got this!”

What do you do with unwanted advice?