Here's a reality check for every new parent or parent-to-be: you will get tired. You will be so sleep-deprived you'll hardly know which way is up. And you will get through it.

As a single first-time mommy, I had no idea what I was doing. Here are some things I wish I had known.

- the first few weeks will turn into a haze. Use a small timer so you know when your baby's last feeding was.

- if your baby is breastfed, feedings will probably have to be a little more frequent than for a formula-fed baby. The upside is that you won't have to get up and make a bottle, or wash it later!

- your ability to function while sleep-deprived will slowly increase. The first couple of weeks are the hardest.

- putting cereal in your baby's last bottle before bedtime won't really help her sleep and can contribute to excessive weight gain. Instead, do increase the size of your baby's bedtime feeding, by encouraging her to stay awake and drink more even though she's sleepy.

- never give your baby medicine, such as Benadryl, to help her sleep. Many babies have died this way.

- generally baby goes to bed before the parents, so you can wake her to "top-off" the tank right before you go to bed.

- sleep when the baby sleeps! Especially when you have a newborn, this is a necessity. Don't be shy about it: friends & family will understand.

Good luck!

Learn more about this author, Marie Roe.
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