Having a baby is the most joyful and the most stressful thing in life you can imagine. No matter how many books you’ve read and videos you’ve watched, the reality of having to juggle feeding, crying and changing (all that without sleep) can be overwhelming. If this is your first baby, expect your life to change drastically. However, there are tips that can help you adjust to your new role quickly and easily:

Start parenting even before the baby comes

Babies in the belly are able to hear and communicate, so make sure to start parenting early. This habit will help you prepare for the child and allow you to practice communication and proper relaxation. For instance, you can play music, dance, massage the belly, have conversations with the child and meditate while being mindful of the baby. Be honest with yourself and your partner and practice openness even before the baby’s birth.

Tune out all the unsolicited advice

If you don’t know what is the best way to give your baby a bath, a stranger on the internet does. If you don’t know how to baby-proof your house, your mother-in-law probably has some crazy ideas about that as well. When you’re a new parent, people will constantly try to give you tips on how you should parent your child, which can be overwhelming and downright annoying. The best thing to do is tune out all the advice you never asked for and focus on your intuition and proper advice from experts.

Build a support network

While expecting your child, the best way to make the transition into parenthood is to build a strong support network. Before the baby is born, ask family and friends for help with things like cooking, cleaning and running errands. There are also great apps for newborn baby parents that offer information and help with organizing. These tips will come from modern parents in the same situation as you, and you can always rely on their moral support.

Build strong routines

Until you get the hang of your baby’s needs, it can be hard to set up a routine. To familiarize yourself with what your baby wants and needs, keep track of your activities. For instance, if the baby cries, do different things and see what works in calming them down. Track their sleep patterns and feeding time as well. When you start noticing a pattern, you can create a strong daily routine that will make life easier for your baby, you and your partner or support network.

Take good care of yourself

To make the transition into parenthood easier on your mind and body, make sure to take good care of your own needs. Try to treat yourself with things you like such as spa days, workouts and dates with your loved one. No matter how long these activities last (sometimes a 10-minute workout is all you need), they will ensure you stay sane and healthy. When you’re exhausted and stressed, you can’t provide for your baby the way you want to.

Prepare for changes in relationships

Of course, your relationship with your baby will become the most important thing in your life, but other relationships are still more than important. Every parent needs love and friendships, too. If you have a spouse or a partner, don’t neglect them. Start by going on short dates or grabbing coffee with your friends without talking about your baby. If you’re single, accept your friend’s offer to help with the baby and enjoy the interaction with other adults.

There will certainly be changes in relationships after the baby is born, but that doesn’t have to be something negative. As you parent your kid, you’ll make new connections and reconnect with old friends with kids, however, make sure to keep your most important existing relationships strong.

Learn to give yourself a break

All parents worry that they are not doing a great job with their baby. You might be wondering why you don’t feel that deep connection with your child—it’s quite normal to feel that in the early days. If you’re an adoptive parent, you might be scared that your child won’t feel connected to you as much as they would to their biological parents—this is normal, too. Every new parent has good and bad days, the latter ones being filled with insecurity and worry. It’s important to know that all of these feelings are normal, and once you learn to accept them, your transition into parenthood will be much easier.

Parenting is a task that should never be taken lightly. However, it’s also filled with joy, happiness and love. It will probably take some time to adjust to parenthood, but with these tips, you’ll have a smooth transition.