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We polled our readers at newparent.com to gather the best advice they had to offer other new parents, and we got some great tips!

Do you have a new mom tip? Tell us in the comments section, below!

Welcome helping hands…

When friends and family offer to help, let them. It’s so easy to say you can do it all yourself to prove you can. But the first few months after your baby is born can be overwhelming. Let those who love you help. It’s valuable. —Caren Begun, Jersey City, N.J.

When people ask how they can help, tell them to bring food! We also loved having plastic flatware and paper plates, napkins and cups, which made cleanup super easy and stress-free! I didn’t have to worry about washing dishes. —Amy Tippens, Suwanee, Ga.

Your husband (especially a new dad) may not know exactly what to do to help you. Make a honey-do list for him of daily and weekly jobs. Do not be resentful if he doesn’t do things exactly how or when you would do them, as long as the effort is there. This is also helpful to remember about his childcare, as long as the baby is no worse for the wear! —Angela Nichols, Euless, Texas

Hire a housekeeper! I’ve never had a housekeeper in my life, other than for the first two months after my daughter was born. Housework was the last thing I wanted to think about when I was trying to breastfeed and adjust to being a new mom overall. —Lisa Jones, Broken Arrow, Okla.

No matter how much help you have from family and friends, take time every day to hold your baby while he is peaceful. This will give you time to get to know each other. It will also remind you that the fatigue is worthwhile. —Savannah Knight, San Mateo, Calif.

…But keep visits manageable

Once we were home from the hospital, we did not allow any visitors for the first two weeks. It was enough to try and get rest and get used to having a little baby on our own. To have to worry about when someone was coming was too much. —Flower Mertsching, Evergreen, Colo.

My boyfriend and I cleared our calendars and created our very own island in our bed—no phone calls and no visitors. He occasionally “swam” to shore for provisions, and we enjoyed cuddling and just doing nothing! This was a great way for us to bond as a family and relax as much as possible between feedings. —Amy Waddell, Orlando, Fla.

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