Top 10 Tips on Coping with a New Baby - Pregnant Woman’s Guide on Raising a New Baby & Toddlers
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
by Emma
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Coping with a new baby - There's something very special about being alone and in your own territory with your newborn baby. Remember as much as this may be all new to you; it's definitely new for the infant more. It is he/she that has been inside the womb for the last nine months oblivious as to what to expect on the outside.
When you arrive home cradling you're baby in your arms it will seem strange at first. Being left to your own devices can be scary for the first time mom. Anxious is not the word for how some new parents will feel and that is, feeling slightly lost wishing they were back in hospital where nurses and doctors are on hand to look after you're child should anything go wrong. It's only natural when you find yourself all alone with just you and the infant to have that sense of fear for some time. Nevertheless as time progresses and baby is growing everything will fall into place. Raising your baby and giving them their wants and needs will come to you naturally, isn't that what happens to all new moms.
In the early weeks you learn a hell of a lot of new things when coping with a newborn infant even if you've already had other children, if there's a big age gap then you forget a lot because it's been so long and having a new baby home again becomes another learning curve. Life's difficulty's and sleepless nights begin now.
This may seem impossible to cope with but a few months down the line you'll say to yourself "what on earth was I worried about" Coping with a new baby at home can be hard and tiring so no room for argument there. But just being a mother and having that all important maternal instinct, you manage. Your first tasks will include making baby's feeds up (bottles of milk or baby milk formulas,) or express breast milk if breastfeeding so you can have a little rest. If possible take it easy for the first few days and hopefully while feeling your feet so as to speak, your partner will have finished decorating the nursery or tidied around for you. If you are a single mum a family member or friend could help. Accept all the help offered because you are going to need all the energy you can get
If you want to get out then try to leave it for a few days and especially more so if it's a cold weather season. Make sure baby is well wrapped up snug and warm in his or her baby buggy or pram. I have always myself preferred the pram from once the baby is born, and on reaching the sit up stage changed over. If you have helpful people around you wanting to do their bit, then fine. Things like going shopping for you and preparing a meal is good practice.
Simple tasks they can undertake are to hang out the washing or take the new baby for a walk in their pram to give you some time for yourself. Always remember to sleep when you're baby sleeps, try to relax as much as possible. Get lots of quick snacks in just in case baby wakes while you're eating, if friends or family turn up and your too tired or busy then just be polite and tell them how you feel and to call another day. And if they are parents they will understand. Remember you do not have to explain yourself to anyone. Worrying over having to do something like this is not good for a new mom's health.
Coping with a new baby gets easier as the days go by and baby gets older, and in some cases putting years on the parents. As you get to know your baby you gain more confidence as a mother and will learn when something's wrong. You will learn that a baby cry is different for each little problem, or upset they might have. You will soon learn which cry is for what problem.
But remember if you are struggling to cope with your baby, and feel down or becoming stressed over not coping to well with baby at home, always speak to your midwife/ health visitor because your never alone and there's always help there if you need it, all you have to do is ask.
Top 10 Tips on coping with a new baby will include:
1 That you the mother stops panicking. Baby can sense anxieties in mom so relax, as we can't have the little mite worry too.
2 Do not overdo things when you first arrive home from hospital. Sit down relax and cradle baby while introducing him/her to their new home.
3. Make sure that everything you need has been catered for such as bottles, teats dummy/pacifier, baby milk, nappies/diapers etc that you will need.
4. Spend as much time as possible with baby and partner and enjoy every moment, because some new dads feel left out as there is a child that needs all mums' attention.
5. Take time out; invite a friend round who has children to chat with, if you don't feel like going out anywhere.
6. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables to help keep your strength up.
7. Go to all baby's check ups, to make sure baby is putting on weight and doing well.
8. Do what you can regarding chores which need doing, but don't over do it.
9. Go to your post delivery check up, to make sure you and your body are getting back to normal after the pregnancy.
10. Try to spend as much time with your little one and enjoy the time as they soon grow up and you'll wonder where all the years have gone.
Remember if you are struggling you are not to panic just pick up the phone and speak with your midwife/ health visitor who will give you advice on whatever it is that is giving you reason for concern. It's a mothers instinct to want to do right by her baby and no one will hold against you no matter how many times you pick up the phone.
Are you worried and having problems with Breast Feeding lots of helpful tips to make it work for you.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Hi Emma you have raised some great awareness tips here for new moms. I am sure there will be many grateful of this adviceKeep wellKacyThank you so much KacyBest WishesEmma
Welcome to Searchwarp!Thank you for the welcoming comment.RegardsEmma
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