You have probably already noticed that through your pregnancy, family, friends and complete strangers have no problem inserting themselves into your personal business just as soon as they know you are expecting. They'll ask you questions that make you blush, tell you embarrassingly personal stories, and may even touch you

Many new parents are so overwhelmed by the new responsibility, hormonal changes, and sleep deprivation, that they're more vulnerable to self-doubt than they would normally be. And because everyone wants to parent as perfectly as possible, this state makes you very vulnerable to people's advice. And oh will you get advice. You will get some good advice and some horrible advice. You will get two pieces of advice that directly contradict each other in the space of five minutes. It can make your head wobble, but this is the only advice you really need: feel free to take in all of the information you want to, but when it comes to making a real decision, listen to your gut.

There are as many ways to raise a child as there are children, and people feel very strongly that their way is the only right way. You'll even find yourself incredibly intolerant of other ways of child rearing. I consider myself pretty free-wheeling and laissez faire, but when I had my first kid, I became just as judgmental as the rest of them. Once you've been through it, it's easy to think you know it all. But people forget (even very experienced parents) that every child is different. There is no one way that works for everyone. I was reminded of this when I had my second baby, and all the things I held firm on with my first seemed to fly out the window one at a time. I was left humbled.

So no matter what the issue (bottle versus breast, crib versus cosleeping, cry it out, etc.), follow your gut and don't look back. You don't need to justify your decisions to your mother, your mother in law, your friend with five kids, etc. You are not going to ruin your child if you don't follow their advice. It's your baby, and you know best how to care for it. And just because you ask for advice doesn't mean you have to follow it. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. No apologies. No regrets.

Once your child starts walking, it seems that the unsolicited advice starts to taper off. My mother in law has stopped sending articles about people who roll over on their babies. No one is telling me I'm spoiling my kids anymore. They've probably found some other new parents to haunt. Hopefully, it's not you!