Single Mom Life (Austria Edition): Mom & Baby Tips

NEW TIPS ARE ADDED EACH DAY! WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ASTERISK IF THEY ARE NEW, BUT THE ASTERISK WILL BE REMOVED AFTER 24 HOURS!

Pregnancy:

Don't stress yourself about the future (birth or after birth). Let the time flow and enjoy every minute of it. The good things and the bad things. You will miss them when they're gone.
If you have nausea, don't take any medication even if they tell you to. Drink a sip/gulp of a carbonated drink (Coca Cola, Carbonated Orange Juice, Soda Water), but don't overdo it. One sip/gulp is enough, more isn't healthy as it goes to the fetus/baby through you.
If you can't eat specific foods during pregnancy, it doesn't mean you can't eat them after. It just means that either the fetus/baby can't stand it or your body doesn't want it. Don't pressure yourself. You will most likely regurgitate everything if you do.

If you feel like you need to push, don't fight it. Follow your instinct. Only you know what your body needs to do at that precise moment.
The moment your water breaks, try to stay calm. Your pulse must be relaxed and you must start to really push during this time. Don't panic! I kept on pushing even if I was out of breath (made a stop for a few seconds and then started to push with all my might until baby girl met the world).
Even if it doesn't sound so easy, STAY CALM! You might hear your heartbeat or your baby's heartbeat stop at some point for a few seconds/minutes. That's normal. My heartbeat stopped for 2 minutes but I'm still here, right?
Drink water! I didn't do it and for the next 3 days, my mouth was as dry as sandpaper (no matter how much water I drank during these 3 days). Don't forget that you will lose a lot of those fluids during birth! But don't overdo it, otherwise you might throw up (nicely said).
Don't eat anything during labor. You will definitely throw up (again nicely said), as your body will be under a lot of pressure. As you will be trying to push your baby out, you will also be putting pressure on your stomach, which in turn will lead to the "throwing up" part. Doesn't sound so fun, does it? Plus, you won't be able to enjoy the moment if the hospital staff is cleaning up after you too!

The first visits will take place as soon as you have given birth (always on the visitation times of the hospital you chose). So get as much rest as you can before-hand.
The 2-hour feeding schedule is a myth. I fed my daughter whenever she woke up on her own and she gained enough grams within the 3 days, that on the 3rd day we went home. If you wake your baby up every 2 hours to feed him/her, then you will most likely have a very tiring and stressful time once you get home (plus no sleep).
Make sure you soak up as much information as you can from the hospital staff (especially if you are a first-time-mom like me). The outside world (family/friends/acquaintances) will act like they know everything, but don't forget: the hospital staff was trained to answer your questions, while everyone else is most likely speaking from experience they gathered on their own (along with their mistakes).
Outside advice may cause internal stress. Therefore, the above point on the list (regarding the hospital staff information gathering) comes in handy. If you get different advice from everyone in your life, you can never be sure which one is correct and which one to go with (which adds to the stress factor). Follow your instinct! A mother always knows what her child needs.

Every baby is different, so don't pay attention to what a baby "normally" does or doesn't do.The so-called milestones are always the same. One baby might be more developed than the other (mentally). Another baby might have difficulties. But that doesn't mean you are doing something wrong! You are doing everything you can! Never forget that!
If you hear a small yell/scream coming from your baby's direction, don't jump right away. He/She is most likely talking. (which starts around the 2nd or 3rd month of life). This way your baby is keeping him/herself preoccupied. He/She might be talking with a toy or with him/herself or with a picture on the wall (you never know what goes on in your baby's brain). The best thing to do (if you REALLY want to check on them) is to approach them calmly and "talk" back or talk in a normal voice with them.
The fact that colic only happens to boys is a myth! My daughter has had colic from the age of 2 weeks up until now (3 months old [as of Jun. 2023]). I give her "Anti-Flat", which is free of lactose and can be used as much as needed. This medicine can be found in your pharmacy (only), and doesn't need to be approved by your pediatrician (meaning you don't need a receipt from your pediatrician). I will post a photo of it below to show you what it looks like (keep in mind you might not be able to find it in your country):

The radio is your best friend when you want to put your little one to sleep. But keep it low, so it doesn't stimulate your child! Otherwise, you can pray to your gods that it works, and that your baby doesn't get the idea to start "dancing" (making rapid movements with their legs and hands, which looks like a little boogie dance).
Bath time is an important factor in your baby's growth/life. When the weather is warm (summer) or cold (winter), make sure the water is in the right temperature so that your little one doesn't get sick. The temperature along with the water feature plays a big role in whether your baby will be relaxed/calm or not.
* When your baby/infant starts teething, it's more than likely they will sleep much more than usual (same with a growth spurt). Don't freak out if your drooling baby is sleeping more than usual: it's teething (drooling is an indicator for teething).
* Even if it seems like your baby doesn't want to be around you, it's not true! Your baby needs it's mother, you're the most important person to them and always will be. Don't let these insecurities engulf you!