Has the thought of having to care for a newborn baby scared you? These thoughts have been living in my head as I have been preparing to have a baby of my own. This will be my first, and I have found some helpful tips to survive the first few weeks of motherhood. There are eight tips that I have found, that will be extremely helpful:
Ask for help
Build a routine
Go for a walk, take a shower, drink your favorite drink
Make healthy choices
Wear your baby
Take care of your breasts
Focus on you and your family
Remember, every stage is temporary
- ASK FOR HELP - When my older sister had a baby, she had her mother-in-law and my sisters and I to help her. We were all there to help her with anything she needed. This consisted of holding the baby, cleaning the house, doing laundry, doing the dishes, cooking, etc. We wanted to make her life easier as she adjusted to having a newborn baby. We were all able to be there because she asked for help. So, ladies don't be afraid to ask for help because odds are the people who love you are already thinking of ways to help you.
- BUILD A ROUTINE - Your baby can start to develop routines easily and quickly, so it is important to pay attention to your baby's signs and cries. When you pay attention to your baby's signs and cries, it can help you to build a routine and know what to expect. Don't be discouraged if your baby doesn't always follow the routine or schedule you planned for them. This is normal. There are two routines that most moms like to follow, and they are: eat, sleep, play or eat, play, sleep. This doesn't mean you have to follow these routines, feel free to make your own, everyone's lives are different!
- GO FOR A WALK, TAKE A SHOWER, DRINK YOUR FAVORITE DRINK - After having a baby and realizing that you now have to care for another life, other than your own, it may be a hard adjustment. You may not feel like yourself anymore. To help you keep a little normalcy in your life, find 40 minutes every day to go for a walk, take a shower, drink your favorite drink, or whatever it is you love to do or want to do. This will help you to feel like yourself and be a reminder to take every day one step at a time.
- MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES - It is common to feel a little down after having a baby. Your moods can be all over the place and your body might not look the same to you anymore. To avoid digging yourself in a whole of eating junk food and feeling down about yourself, eat healthy, nutritious foods. This will help you to feel so much better. You can make sure you eat healthy foods, after having a baby, by stocking up before your due date.
- WEAR YOUR BABY - This tip may not be for everyone but wearing your newborn baby can help the skin-to-skin contact by making you and your baby close, and your nursing relationship. Not only can wearing your baby help with those two things, I mentioned above, but it can help you to get more things done. By wearing your baby, this frees up your hands and allows you to have some time clean, eat, do the laundry, work, etc.
- TAKE CARE OF YOUR BREASTS - Right after having your baby, you are probably going to try breastfeeding. Don't get discouraged if your baby is having a hard time latching. They may be struggling because your nipples are cracked, bleeding, or blistered. This is common when first breastfeeding, so give it some time. A few things to remember to do after breast-feeding is to gently wash your nipples and place a cool washcloth on them, massage your breasts, and use warm compresses to unclog ducts.
- FOCUS ON YOU AND YOUR FAMILY - Try not to compare you and your baby to your friend's baby or your sister's baby. This may cause you to feel like you are "losing". Everyone is different and may not struggle with things that you struggle with and that is OKAY. Whatever you are doing to care for your baby is amazing and it is your journey. Every family is different, so when it comes to yours, focus on that and doing what is best for your family.
- REMEMBER, EVERY STAGE IS TEMPORARY - Your newborn baby won't be so fragile and needy forever, and you won't be a hot mess or an emotional wreck for the rest of your life. Remind yourself, often, that every stage will pass eventually. There is a light at the end of every tunnel.
Emily Haroldsen
I am a 23-year-old that is expecting a little one in November 2021. I have never been more excited in my life, but that doesn't mean that I have no fears about becoming a new mom and caring for another life. This is why I created this space, so that new moms like me aren't alone and be reminded that they can do this. I hope you all enjoy this space and find it helpful to you in some way.