The Best Tips for New Parents: Expert Advice for Your Parenting Journey

38 Best Tips for New Parents Every Parent Should Know

Becoming a parent can feel overwhelming, especially with advice coming from all directions. To ease the transition, here are the best tips for new parents, drawn from parenting experts and seasoned parents alike, to give you the confidence to navigate your new role smoothly.

Embrace the Moment

Stop stressing over your to-do list—laundry, diaper changes, or grocery runs—and savor the special moments with your baby. Be present and enjoy your time together. —Wayne Fleisig, Ph.D.

Don’t Sweat Toddler Eating Habits

Toddlers can be picky eaters. Offer a variety of foods, but don’t panic or pressure them. They’ll eat when they’re ready. —Connie Diekman, R.D., Washington University in St. Louis

Establish an Early Bedtime

An early bedtime helps your child get the rest they need, and gives you a chance to recharge. —Jodi Mindell, Ph.D., author of Sleeping Through the Night

Learn to Say “No”

The more confident you become at turning down unnecessary requests, the fewer conflicts you’ll face. Saying “no” at the store once can prevent having to say it repeatedly at home. —David Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D., author of Ending the Food Fight

Create Family Traditions

Develop simple family traditions like decorating the house with balloons the night before a birthday or creating a secret family handshake. Small rituals create cherished memories. —Harley A. Rotbart, M.D., author of No Regrets Parenting

Be Prepared for Sick Days

Stock up on essentials like Pedialyte or Gatorade so you’re ready for any sudden illness. —Wendy Hunter, M.D., Rady Children’s Hospital

Understand Your Child’s Unique Personality

Every child is different. Adapt your parenting to their individual strengths and challenges. —Eileen Kennedy-Moore, Ph.D., author of Smart Parenting for Smart Kids

Build Your Support Network

Find friends who will listen when you need to vent and offer advice when you ask for it. Having a reliable support system makes all the difference. —Lacey Dunkin, single mom of six

Be a Positive Role Model

If you want your child to embrace the idea of family one day, show them how rewarding it can be by modeling calm, joyful parenting. —Wendy Mogel, Ph.D., author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee

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Encourage Your Partner to Bond

Let your partner take charge of certain activities like bath time or reading. This gives them quality bonding time with your baby and gives you a well-deserved break. —David L. Hill, M.D., author of Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro

Teach Financial Responsibility

Explain to your kids why you choose certain products over others or delay buying something until it’s on sale. It teaches them about budgeting. —Farnoosh Torabi, mom of two and host of So Money podcast

Read Every Day

Reading to your child daily sparks imagination and creates quality bonding time. —Christine Hohlbaum, author of The Power of Slow

Make Time for Self-Care

Don’t feel guilty about carving out some “me” time. A well-rested parent is a happy parent. —Yamel Belen, R.N., CLC

Ease into Major Transitions

Switching from bottle to sippy cup? Crib to bed? Ease into transitions by allowing your child to explore new items first, making the final switch smoother. —Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., president of the Child Mind Institute

Help Your Baby Self-Soothe

Start your bedtime routine by feeding them early. When it’s time to put them down, make sure they’re drowsy but awake, so they learn to fall asleep on their own. —Dr. Mindell

Get Kids Involved in Chores

Give your children small tasks like setting the table or picking up toys. It builds confidence and responsibility. —Martin R. Eichelberger, M.D., Safe Kids Worldwide

Trust Your Instincts

Even if you can’t pinpoint what’s wrong when your child is unwell, trust your intuition. —Ari Brown, M.D., author of Baby 411

Foster Independence Early

Get your kids in the habit of doing small tasks themselves—like putting away their clothes—so you don’t have to. —Dr. Mogel

Apologize When Necessary

If you make a mistake, own it and apologize. This teaches your kids the importance of accountability. —Alice Domar, Ph.D., author of Finding Calm for the Expectant Mom

Take Breaks When Angry

If you’re upset, give yourself a quick time-out to cool down before responding to your child. —Dr. Kennedy-Moore

Promote Sibling Harmony

Encourage positivity between siblings by asking them to share what they appreciated about each other during dinner. —Lacey Dunkin

Be Window Safety Aware

To prevent falls, keep windows closed or locked from the bottom and avoid placing furniture under windows. —Dr. Hunter

Always Have a Backup Outfit

You never know when you’ll need a spare set of clothes for your little one. —Dr. Hill

Don’t Fall for Humblebrags

If other parents are boasting about their kids’ talents, don’t worry—most likely they’re exaggerating. —Dr. Mogel

Share Stories From Your Childhood

At bedtime, ask your child to pick a number smaller than your current age and tell them a story from that time in your life. —Dale McGowan, author of Raising Freethinkers

Disconnect from Technology

When spending time with your kids, put the phone down. They notice when you’re distracted. —David Fassler, M.D., author of Help Me, I’m Sad

Get Outdoors Every Day

Make it a point to step outside with your child every day, rain or shine. It’s a great way to unplug and connect with nature. —Wendy Sue Swanson, M.D., author of Mama Doc Medicine

Embrace Your Silly Side

Life can get too serious. Let loose and act silly with your kids—chase them around the house or make goofy faces. —Dr. Domar

Walk, Don’t Drive

If possible, walk instead of driving for short errands or playdates. It’s a great opportunity to bond and enjoy the outdoors. —Dr. Rotbart

Set Clear Boundaries

Your role is to parent, not be their best friend. They might not like it in the moment, but they’ll appreciate it later. —Dr. Eichelberger

Make Math Fun

Turn everyday tasks into learning moments. Count items at the grocery store or point out different shapes around the house. —Deborah Stipek, Ph.D., author of Motivated Minds

Keep Rules Consistent

Once you set a rule, stick to it—but make sure the rules are fair. —Dr. Domar

Dance It Out

When you’re feeling drained, turn on some music and dance with your kids. It’s a guaranteed mood booster. —Lacey Dunkin

Answer the Endless “Why” Questions

It may seem exhausting, but keep answering your child’s questions—they’re learning about the world. —Raquel D’Apice, founder of The Ugly Volvo blog

Back-Up Your Memories

Invest in a cloud service or external hard drive to back up precious photos and videos. —Darshak Sanghavi, M.D., author of A Map of the Child

Teach Social Skills Early

Show your child how to make eye contact, smile, and greet new people. It’s a crucial life skill. —Faye de Muyshondt, founder of Socialsklz 🙂 for Success

Foster Gratitude

Create a “best part of the day” (BPOD) tradition where everyone shares a positive moment from their day. —Dr. Swanson

Gush About Your Love: Best Tips for New Parents

Show your child—both in words and actions—how much they mean to you. Let them know what makes them special. —Dr. Fleisig

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