What advice would you give to a teenage mother?

Yes, I know it was a mistake. But I am making the best of it and so is my Fiance, We will give our child a good life, so please dont tell me Im dumb. I dont have a great relationship with my mom, so if you could give me suggestions on what I need, that would be great. Any advice would be nice too. Thank you for your time.What advice would you give to a teenage mother?
Im 16.


And 18weeks pregnant.


So I know where your coming from, I know how hard it is to be a pregnant teenager. Everyone assumes all teenage mothers are the same, the same typical steriotype, which is slutty, drug, alcohole, and sex obsessed, immature and irrisponsible. One thing you have to prepare yourself for is the abuse you will get, mainly from people who don't know you, its sad that the world is like that, just think if they think your stupid and irrisponsible because you are choosing to keep you baby, working hard to give your baby the best, then if that's stupid and irrisposible.. Than im sure you can proudly say that's you.


No one in this world knows you 100%, so you should be proud you are being sensible.





When you go to visit your midwife, I think it would be best to ask them what things you will need, its a pretty long list and im sure they can give you more detailed advice.


Just be yourself, try your hardest to be the best mum you can, and really that's all anyone could ask for.





Congradulations and goodluck.What advice would you give to a teenage mother?
I think it is great that you and your fiance have stepped up and decided to take care of your child!! I think the number one thing you need to give your child is LOVE and if you can do that and give them the things they need to get by then all will be fine.....Ask God to help you with anything you may need...





You will need a syringe(to suck out nose), themometer, diaper cream, diapers, clothes, binkies, bottles, blankets, bed, pack and play(you can get one with a bassinet attached even), car seat, swing, bouncy chair and of course all the basics that I am sure you know....





The best advice I can think of is to always keep God in your life, he can keep you sane (lol) through the pregnancy and motherhood(bc you will worry alot) and also something I have noticed about younger parents is they seem to leave there children with JUST ANYONE who will watch them...dont do that, people are crazy today and you dont want anything bad to happen to your child just so you could go out....so find a suitable person when you need a break, someone you trust...Good luck!!
I would first get your health insurance needs addressed (if you are not covered), find a doctor and stay on top of good nutrition and faithfully go to all checkups. I would also begin to put away as much money as possible, even if it isn't very much, it is still something. Being a teen mother brings the same responsibilities as an older mother, first concern being for the health of you and your child. Move forward with no regrets and solicit advice only from people with good intent. You'll do fine and your baby will do fine as long as you stay positive about your experience and do your very best.
Unless your mother is a complete derelict, patch up your relationship with her because she could be the best (and possibly only) support when you really need it. Of course she's upset now, she's disappointed that you've made such a big mistake, but I'm sure she loves you more than ever and wants you to have the best life possible.





Figure out a plan of action from here on out. Where will you live? Who's going to watch the child while you're at work/school? What about insurance? Do you need to get on WIC or some other government assistance program? What prenatal and parenting classes can you take? I would recommend also taking an infant/child CPR class, you can never be too prepared. There are lots of things to think about and plan for in the next coming months.
Just do your best!





You could read up on pregnancy. There are lots of great magazines and books out there that are very informative, especially What to Expect When You're Expecting. You could also read What to Expect the First Year. Both are wonderful, and have answered lots of questions.





Taking a childbirth class is a good idea, too. I'm taking a 5-week class at the moment, and I really like it.





Basically, the more you could get educated about pregnancy and childbirth, the better you'll feel about it. =) I certainly do.





Stock up on diapers and wipes before the baby arrives so you don't have to run out and get them at inconvenient times.


If you're thinking about breastfeeding, you could also look into that. Keep attending your prenatal doctor visits...and you should be fine. =)





Good luck and congrats!
The best advice I could give is to recommend you breastfeed your baby! It is the best thing you could possibly do! It is very very hard at first, but go in with a good attitude and you will get it in no time. Hey, If I can do it, anyone can do it!


Another thing, now that you are jumping into the adult word quite fast, you and your fiance are to make all the decisions about your baby. Don't let anyone else tell you what is best for YOUR baby.


Get lots of parenting and baby talk magazines and do lots of reading while you have the time. Once the baby is out it will be much harder.


Don't forget to have a huge baby shower. The more people, the more presents! Everyone is happy to give money and presents to expecting parents, especially if they know they don't have much money.


ENJOY BEING PREGNANT! You will miss the little kicks in your tummy...I know I do.


When having a child, don't be afraid to ask the doc questions. It's better your safe, than sorry.


Watch the documentary ';the business of being born';


I was only 19 when I got pregnant and my little bundle of joy is one of the best things that has every happened to me!








Congratulations!
It wasn't a mistake. It might not have been planned, but no child is a mistake. I got pregnant at 18, and miscarried. And now a few months later, it is still the hardest thing ever, and is outrageously hard to bear knowing, people did consider the baby a mistake. Just make the best of it, and realize that no matter what happens, things can get worse. Just give your baby love and support. You're not dumb at all, unless you jsut don't take responsibility. I would love to be pregnant again right now, so enjoy your blessing.
Love, support, and education. They say kids dont come with a manual but there are enough books out there on not just child rearing but on the developemental stages as well. I would strongly suggest buying a book and also taking some type of class that teaches on the needs and developmental stages of infants through children. They have different needs at each stage and it gives you such great insight in knowing exactly whats going on and why. I wish someone would have told me that. I did however get to see and know first hand the difference it made for me and how I was a better parent from not knowing that with my first two children and then experiencing it with my third. Big difference! Have a good support team and love love love. Best of wishes to all 3 of you.
I dont think you are dumb, in fact i commend you for doing the right thing and not getting an abortion. Its nice to know there are still some girls who have been raised right. I think that at any age having a baby is hard work. Im 31 and still its hard for me sometimes. IM not really sure what kind of advise youre looking for, i may just spew out a bunch of stuff you already know. Do you have any specific questions? If you would like you can email me and i would be happy to talk. I think youll make a great mom and Congrats!
see if there are any pregnency centers (not really ';planned parenthood'; places), in ym city we have centers where teenage moms can get counseling and help with items for her baby, or finding adoptive parents. If you don't have one of those, maybe try for a church, they often have ministries for people in your circumstances and would be willign to offer support and maybe even financial assitance. Don't give up hope on your mom though, you may not have a good relationship now, but these sort of things can bring family together. Eat healthy and exercise, take care of that baby :)
First off congratz, and hope that all works out well. You must know that every pregnancy is DIFFERENT, so dont go listening to what everyone tells you. A child is a blessing, and he or she will need lots of care and attention. Best advise would be, take it one day at a time, breathe, block your ears to negative remarks, stay stress free, and stay close to those who really loves you, and not those who will put you down. Don't get married if you are feeling pressured, because trust and believe marriage is not the answer to everything. I'm 22 beeen with my boyfriend for 4 years and we have a 3 month old baby, and marriage crosses our mind but we are very scaried. Don't Let anyone pressure you into doing something you dont want to do.





You can start by applying for welfare, and housing apartments. Start by searching where your DTA ( Department of Transitional Assistance) office is located in your home state and city.





Good luck and I wish you the best!!!!
First off, congrats. :)





Love your kid is the best advice out there.





If someone starts running their mouth about how you're irresponsible, just ignore it. And people will. But don't mind it, it's just talk and it means nothing. You're still a wonderful person and you're gonna be a wonderful mom.





Do your best to raise it. I can assume it's going to be pretty hard, but don't give up and do what you can.





Once again, congrats. (Y)
Good for you! That's a great attitude. If you think about what you can learn then you will never go far wrong.





Some great websites are:


www.drjacknewman.com


www.iwantmymum.com


www.kellymom.com


www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk





I would recommend breastfeeding as the World Health Organisation recommend it to age 2 and beyond. It is a skill that you and the baby have to learn so it's a great idea to start learning about it now. Dr Jack Newman's website is a great place to start - read about Kangaroo Care and skin-to-skin - you will be amazed at what you read - it's lovely stuff.





Get your fiance as involved as you can. Just because you breastfeed it doesn't mean that he won't have a role. My husband used to wind our baby by cuddling her and stroking her back after I'd breastfed her. Then he used to always bath her and they bonded over giggling sessions in the bath. She adores him to this day because he took the time each day to bath her and play with her. She's 10 now.





Don't buy loads and loads of stuff. Doesn't take two minutes to nip out to buy stuff as you need it so just get the basics.





Best of luck and all good wishes to you all.
I don,t know how old your baby is, but take every ting one step at a time, your baby is learning from you like you are from it, if people offer help, take it. try your best to be happy and enjoy your time together, make sure you are on top of things so people cant moan at you, bills and house work,





P.S. look out for depression, its a nasty thing to have
It's great that you actually decided to let the baby live, unlike a lot of people would have... But I don't see anythin wrong with having a kid when you're a teen, why else would God give teens the ability?


For advice, love your kid, and make sure to care for yourself, too!
You just need to be emotionally stable and be prepared for this.....try to save some money, babies can be expensive....also my suggestions would be go on craigslist and look for used cribs bedding, breast pumps, clothes ect....to make things cheaper.....Just have a lot of love and things will be okay..


Good luck and congrats!
onies, burp clothes, diapers, bottles, breast bump if your planning on breast feeding, sock clothes, walker, crib, crib bumper oh my goodness so much more.. one of everything at babies r us
love your baby :)





congrats :)
Love your child :-) The same advice I would give any other mom-to-be.