I think choosing your pediatrician is one of the most important things you can do. For first time moms, they help and guide your parenting decisions in the beginning. We did a tour for pediatricians and selected one that we thought was best.

And, honestly, she really is the best because she’s given me soooo many tips that I don’t think most people know about.

Don’t sleep train until 4 months

Sleep training is a huge business. Lots of books and manuals out there for sleep-deprived moms who just want to catch a break. We trained all of our kids to sleep and they all slept 12 hours by the fourth or fifth month. Our pediatrician told us to not sleep train until four months because that is when the first sleep regress happens. There are other regressions, but if you sleep train properly, the first regression is the only one that will make you lose sleep. Note: this does not mean don’t put them on a schedule earlier than 4 months.

Give milk only during snack times

Did you know that if you give milk only during snack time that you will help regulate their bowel movements, which, in turn, will help with potty training? This has been a huge lifesaver for us. Since we did this with Serena, potty training time came just around the time the boys were born. That meant, I knew she was going to pee 15-20 mins after she had liquids and poop first thing in the morning. That helped me keep the boys occupied so I can help train her during her “toilet time”. Trust me, you’re going to want to do this.

Balanced diets from the beginning are important

We did Baby Led Weaning with the boys so we knew what we were doing with meals. Our goal was to encourage them to eat the same foods as Serena so I’m not cooking three different spice levels daily. Meal portion sizes should be the following: 1 fistful for carbs, 1 for proteins, 2 for veggies, fruits unlimited. Note: the fistful should be the child’s fist, not yours 🙂 For example, for breakfast, we would do oatmeal (carbs), scrambled eggs (protein), and fruit (ew, who eats veggies for breakfast?!).

Kids need about 3hrs a week at minimum for social interactions with other people that are not adults

I know my kids love me, but when Dad walks into the room after I’ve been with them all day, they jump for joy. Kids need exposure to different people, different environments, and different social situations. It helps develop them emotionally, which is super important because it helps turn them into successful adults. If your kids don’t go to daycare, try taking them to the library for toddler time, a Little Gym for gymnastics class, or even the park for some fresh air!

Don’t force learning until age 3

I don’t like to use the word force but yea, don’t force it, girl. So, your kid is 2 and doesn’t know how to count to 50 like your BFF? So, what? As long as your child is meeting milestones like s/he is supposed to and the pediatrician is happy with the development, then I wouldn’t worry too much. Obvs, if your doctor suggests some type of therapy, then that’s a different story altogether. All I’m saying is don’t punish your child or force your child to learn through flashcards and memorization or anything until they are ready (typically, age 3). Don’t compare your 18-month-old baby to someone else’s three-year-old daughter on Instagram. Just focus on creating a happy, healthy, kind human being that understands the most important thing in life: relationships.