When a baby is born, a mother is born, a father is born, and a grandmother is born. Some first time grandmas can be an added stress, constantly telling you what to do, telling you how she did it when you were little and you’re still around. This could sound familiar “well when you were a baby we started feeding you cereal at 2 weeks, and you made it didn’t you?”

It is very hard to deal with someone telling you what to do, when you’re exhausted, dehydrated, have sore nipples, and are just generally feeling rundown. One of the best things to do if you are expecting is to talk to your mother now about your postpartum plan, plan ahead for your postpartum period. It’s much easier to communicate effectively to your mother what you want her to do when you have had some sleep, and there isn’t a baby crying.

If you miss the talk before the baby comes, there is always the option for asking for help from another friend or a postpartum doula. Postpartum doulas are a great tool, they don’t tell you that you’re doing it all wrong, they are 100% supportive of you as a mom. No matter who helps you during this transitional period, make sure you ask for help when you need it.