Words of Advice for the Mother to Be

You Will Feel Normal Again

• Pregnancy changes your body in a multitude of ways. It's bad enough that you may feel nausea, tire more easily, lose sight of your feet or suffer from headaches, but you also have the birth process to contend with. Whether you deliver naturally or have surgical help in the form of a C-section, your recovery could be arduous and painful, all while you have a new baby to care for. Breast feeding can present its own set of challenges -- from engorgement to thrush -- a yeast infection in the mouth that can be passed back and forth between your baby and you. However take heart in the knowledge that as time passes you will leave behind the physical trauma of labor and delivery as well as the trials of nursing -- and you eventually will feel like your old self again.

Missed or Late Milestones Don't Always Indicate a Problem

• Comparing your baby to developmental expectations set out by professionals can be fun, reassuring, anchoring and -- sometimes -- stressful. While it's important to keep tabs on your baby's growth and behavioral changes so that you can seek early intervention in the event of an issue, learn the difference between crucial milestones and those that have some leeway. For example, a delay in the commencement of speech can indicate a hearing problem, whereas a delay in crawling is not as worrisome because some babies skip this step altogether. Harvard Medical School professor and clinical psychologist Lawrence Kutner opines that the age your child reaches a developmental stage is less important than the fact that she successfully passes through it. So while some delays warrant a closer look by your pediatrician, don't stress if your baby or toddler doesn't progress at exactly the same rate as is outlined in the books you read.

This Too Shall Pass

• Whether it's an incessantly crying newborn, a loudly defiant toddler or an anxiety-ridden kindergarten student, infant and childhood development is merely evolution, or an ever-changing series of states that your child passes through. You will be able to sleep again once your new baby grows enough to sleep through the night. Your toddler will calm down and comply with your direction more readily as she gets a little more mature, and your scared son dragging his heels on that initial approach to school will in time barely acknowledge you with a glance as he joins his friends in the class line-up. As you confront your current parenting crisis, take comfort in the fact that it will eventually pass.

There Is No Perfect Method

• Whether you hand your 6-month-old baby a spoon -- knowing that you will have to clean up after her -- or continue spoon-feeding her until she's old enough to feed herself with minimal mess, she will still eventually be an independent eater. Some moms wear their babies in slings while others place them in baby seats within view. There are pros and cons to both. For example, if your baby is in a sling she benefits from close proximity to you. If your baby is separated from you by a few feet, she can watch you as well as play with toys. Share advice and ideas with other moms, but don't feel like you must use one parenting method when another works better for you. If you prioritize your baby's well being while using common sense, your parenting choices will likely be appropriate.