There is something incredibly special about advice from a grandma.
They’ve experienced the sleepless nights, the first smiles, the endless cuddles and the bittersweet moment of watching their own babies become parents themselves. While parenting advice changes over the years, love never does.
We recently asked grandmothers to share the advice they would give to their daughters as they prepare to welcome their first baby into the world. Their responses were thoughtful, emotional and wonderfully reassuring.
If you’re expecting your first little one, these are the things grandmas want every new mum to remember.
Trust Your Instincts
If there was one message that appeared time and time again, it was this:
Trust yourself.
Many grandmas reminded new mums that nobody knows their baby better than they do.
One grandma shared:
“Don’t pay attention to other people’s opinions. You know your baby and know what’s best.”
Another wrote:
“Follow your instincts and ask for help if you need it.”
Books, websites and social media can all be helpful, but they should never replace your own instincts. Every baby is different, and you’ll quickly learn what works best for yours.
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
Many grandmas admitted they worried far more than they needed to.
Several encouraged new mums to stop chasing perfection.
One beautiful piece of advice said:
“Don’t worry about it all looking perfect. The best moments will be found in the ordinary things.”
Your baby won’t remember whether the washing basket was empty or whether every toy was neatly put away.
They’ll remember feeling loved.
Look After Yourself Too
One of the strongest themes throughout the advice was self-care.
Grandmas know from experience that motherhood can be exhausting.
As one grandma wrote:
“If you can’t look after yourself, you can’t look after your child.”
Another added:
“Make sure you look after yourself too. So many good parents forget about themselves.”
Rest when you can.
Accept help.
Eat well.
Remember that your wellbeing matters too.
The Housework Can Wait
Perhaps the most repeated piece of advice was wonderfully simple.
The housework can wait.
One grandma perfectly summed it up:
“Ignore the cleaning and drink in every moment. The dishes will wait while the memories are made.”
Another said:
“Pay full attention to your baby. Everything else will still be there tomorrow.”
The washing, vacuuming and dusting will always be there.
Those tiny newborn cuddles won’t.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
No one is meant to raise a baby alone.
Many grandmas reminded new mums that asking for help isn’t weakness.
It’s wisdom.
One wrote:
“Never be afraid to ask for help. It takes a village to raise a child.”
Another added:
“If you ask for help, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed as a mum.”
Whether it’s family, friends or your local community, allow people to support you.
Ignore the Noise
Modern mums receive advice from everywhere.
Family.
Friends.
Books.
Facebook groups.
Google.
Social media.
Sometimes it can become overwhelming.
One grandma offered this thoughtful reminder:
“Everyone has ideas and opinions. Listen, thank them and then make your own decisions.”
You don’t need to explain every parenting choice.
Do what feels right for your family.
Enjoy Every Cuddle
Time passes faster than anyone expects.
Almost every grandma reminded us to soak up the little moments.
One simply wrote:
“Enjoy every cuddle.”
Another shared:
“They’ll only be this little once.”
One day those tiny hands won’t reach for yours quite so often.
So cuddle a little longer.
Read one more story.
Rock them to sleep one more time.
You Are Enough
Perhaps the most comforting message of all was this:
You don’t have to have all the answers.
You’ll learn together.
One grandma beautifully wrote:
“You will find your rhythm and your own way of doing things, so just be kind to yourself.”
Another reminded new mums:
“Everything will work out just fine.”
Sometimes that’s exactly what an expectant mum needs to hear.
A Final Word From Grandmas
Reading through every response, one thing became clear.
Grandmas weren’t trying to tell new mums how to parent.
They simply wanted them to worry less, trust themselves more and enjoy the precious moments before they become memories.
Motherhood doesn’t require perfection.
It requires love.
And that’s something every mum already has.
So if you’re expecting your first baby, take a deep breath.
Trust yourself.
Accept help when you need it.
Ignore the washing up now and then.
And remember…
The days may feel long, but the years truly are short.