Advice for First-Time Parents From Dr. Harvey Karp
Don't Bed Share, Baby the Mother, and More Essential Tips For First-Time Parents From Dr. Harvey Karp
5
This is Dr. Karp's final "bumper sticker" message for all new parents. "Ideology is a wonderful guide for you. You need to have an understanding of how you want the birth to go, how you live your pregnancy, what your expectations are with your baby . . . and then you have to let go of that and basically ride the wave. One thing about being a parent is everything that you're expecting is not going to work out. You basically have to play the cards you're dealt." In short: give yourself a break.
"If you judge yourself at every single step of the way, then it's a very unhappy process. But if you understand you're the vessel, you are really part of the grand scheme of life, and people around can help you and guide you, then it's a much easier journey."