There’s nothing quite like motherhood. It’s challenging, stimulating, exciting, draining, and wonderful –– but it’s not something that everyone adapts to quickly. As such, it can be difficult to make the transition into parenthood, no matter your personal situation. And even if you’ve already experienced the joy of raising a child, there are still ways you can work to become a better, more adjusted parent. So, in order to take a little stress away from moms-to-be everywhere, we’ve compiled four short pieces of good advice that can provide a big lift just when you need it:

Know When to Freak Out

When you first become a parent, everything is likely to make you nervous. After all, ensuring that your baby is healthy and happy will be your number one priority (as it should be). And while you should definitely maintain your focus on your child’s well-being, part of becoming a parent is knowing when to freak out and when to relax. Otherwise, every little moment in your child’s life will present an opportunity to fall into anxious fits and panic attacks. Take the little things in stride and recognize that not all problems are earth-shattering. It’ll help you focus on what you really need to worry about.

Ask for Help

Raising a child without any help at all is a difficult task. Indeed, it’s about as daunting as it gets, really. That’s why it’s important to seek out reliable help from time to time. Calling on friends, family members, and trusted professionals isn’t a cop-out or a sign of weakness; rather, it’ll broaden your little one’s horizons to spend time to with other people, and provide you with a much-needed break at the same time.

Live in the Moment

Too often parents have difficulty adjusting to the way their children react to new technology or concepts. Just because things were different when you were a kid it doesn’t mean you should dismiss your child’s interests or stifle their creativity. Don’t close the door on something your kid wants to do just because you don’t understand or appreciate it. Instead, take the time out to empathize with them and support them in any way you can.

Consult Medical Professionals

This should be a given, but a bit of practical advice here: visit a trusted M.D. early and often during your pregnancy –– and schedule plenty of appointments afterward as well. This includes a wider array of tests, procedures, and practices than what you might first imagine. For instance: every expecting mother should get tested for STDs, since certain infections can cause complications during pregnancy. (In some cases, you could even inadvertently pass on an STD to your newborn!) So if you have any questions regarding your health, or what steps you should take to lower the risk of complications during gestation, speak to your doctor ASAP. They’ll be willing to offer insight and assistance as needed.