Huggies: Mom Advice - Book, Blogs, and Articles, Oh My!

You have heard the phrase 'babies don't come with instruction manuals,' but it seems like these days there are hundreds of instruction manuals you can pick up at the bookstore, read online, or have recited to you by friends and family members. Although much of the advice is good advice, it is important to remember that none of those manuals are for your model. No two babies are alike, not even identical twins, so what works for one may not work for another. Not to mention that no two moms and no two families are the same either. Every new mom has to forge her own parenting road. So seek out advice wherever you are comfortable, but try to never ignore your own intuition.

So where should you turn for parenting advice? One option is your local bookstore. There are plenty of choices when it comes to books to read. Books are nice because you can take them into your home and read them privately. If you don't take the advice contained in their pages, the author will never know, and you don't have to worry about offending anyone. The biggest downside to books is that you have to take the time to read them. When you have a newborn baby in the house, time can be a very valuable commodity. I always vote for napping over reading when a newborn is sleeping.

What about the internet? You can find an answer to just about any question on the internet. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the answer is correct. Add to that the fact that many parenting subjects can be very controversial and it is easy to end up more confused than informed after searching online. Message boards and chat room-type communities are great for support but aren't always the best place to seek advice. Try to stick to sites that are run by hospitals, pediatricians, or trusted brands. Again, you may not always agree with the information they provide, but you can read differing views and make your own choices based on the information you have been provided.

What about other moms? There is no doubt that you will receive advice, solicited or not, from dozens of people you know or encounter while walking down the street. It may become overwhelming, but try to remember that most people are just trying to help. You probably already know two or three moms you trust and respect enough to seek advice from. They are the moms you know will share openly, won't judge you for your opinions, and will be supportive even if you choose not to follow the advice they have given. These are the people who will give you the best advice, either to follow or just to encourage you to think about other options.

One of my favorite places to look for advice is my pediatrician. I have been lucky to always have doctors that are friendly and supportive and will answer any question without making me feel uncomfortable. Of course, finding a pediatrician like that might require you to seek advice on pediatricians from others. It is a neverending cycle.
So, where is your favorite place to get parenting advice? You can check out the Huggies Mommy Answers Facebook page and BlogHer's Huggies page for more advice on seeking advice as well as many other parenting topics.