Keeping it simple has been a lifesaver for me. Sometimes we overcomplicate things and are too hard on ourselves, especially as first time moms. I don't let myself "sweat the small stuff" or over-analyze each day.
My message to new moms is that everyday gets a little bit easier. I was so in love with my baby and also full of fear since I was now responsible for another human being. In the delivery room he latched right on and started breastfeeding. I had no idea what I was doing since all the info I had learned at my breastfeeding class at the hospital vanished from my brain. I had some help from the lactation consultants at the hospital, but it was still hard. It was painful and I was so stressed that he wasn't nursing long enough on each side. Was he getting enough milk? Was I feeding him often enough? The worries were endless.
The hardest part of new motherhood was my transition from working woman to stay-at-home mom. My resignation surprised people, but the thought of returning to work and missing time with my son made me feel too guilty. Although being a stay-at-home mom can get a little boring, the career woman in me has goals to master this new job too.