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Every mother-to-be dreams about the day she’ll meet her baby. Like many other moms, you were probably anxious about what he or she would look like and whether they would take after your character traits or those of your partner. However, if you are a first-time mom, the idea of caring for your newborn once you leave the hospital might seem overwhelming, even downright scary.
Fortunately, taking care of your baby’s basic needs is quite simple, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you adjust to your new normal. Below are some tips on how to take care of yourself and your newborn after the birth of your baby.
Find What Works for You
New moms always get a ton of advice from a variety of sources: family, friends, even strangers in the grocery store. Some of the advice may seem practical, while other tips may not. It is, therefore, essential to find out which tips work for you and ignore the rest.
Keep in mind that every child and mother is different, and what works for your friend and her child may not work for you. It is vital to embrace these differences and move forward if a particular tip doesn’t work for you.
Ask for Help If You Need It
While every new mother wishes to figure everything out independently, it is possible to start feeling overwhelmed after spending the better part of the day taking care of the baby. If you find yourself in this situation, the best option would be to ask for help. Reach out to a close friend or family member to visit your house and help out.
Motherhood entails learning new things every day, and you are unlikely to become a pro at it after a few weeks or months. It is okay to take a break and ask for help when needed.
Pay Attention to Yourself
Postpartum depression is very common in new mothers. You should watch out for signs such as the unwillingness to talk to people, not feeling as happy as you thought you would be with your new baby, or feeling down for more than two weeks.
Postpartum depression is nothing to be ashamed of, and you might be surprised to realize that a significant number of people suffer from it. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to yourself and get help as soon as possible if you feel like you might be struggling with it.
Find a Hobby Outside of Mothering
Motherhood is an incredible experience, and taking care of your little one is very satisfying. However, if you do not get a hobby outside of it, there’s a chance you’ll get burned out pretty fast. It is vital to find something else that you enjoy doing, which helps you keep learning by presenting new challenges.
There are plenty of options to choose from, and some hobbies such as blogging, cooking, or painting don’t require you to get out of the house or leave your baby under someone else’s care. Figuring out what you love might take a while, but when you do eventually, you might be surprised at the numerous benefits.
Disconnect
Although technology and social media are wonderful tools, they can be harmful when having quality time with your family. You don’t wish for your children to grow up thinking that you are always on the phone. If you can, avoid social media and your phone entirely when spending time with your baby.
Your child needs your attention and care in many aspects, and putting away your phone will allow you to cater to their needs.
Do Not Allow Mom Guilt To Creep In
Mom guilt is a destructive habit, and it occurs as a result of excessive comparison and the feeling that you need to be perfect in everything you do. However, your experience as a mother may be different from those of any other woman out there, and you should never allow yourself to compare your life to anyone else’s.
Mothering involves a lot of trial and error, and no one is perfect. Do not feel bad for not getting everything right each time. Instead, use your failure as a learning experience to do better to keep mom guilt at bay.
Eat Healthily
Your body is going to experience many changes during pregnancy and birth. In addition to getting adequate rest, good nutrition is vital for a quick recovery. The weight you gained during pregnancy helps to build energy stores for breastfeeding and the recovery process. Despite your weight after birth, you need to eat a balanced diet so that you can remain active and have the energy to care for your baby.
Although lactation experts recommend that mothers eat when they are hungry, you may forget to do so if you are too busy or tired. It’s essential to have a simple meal plan at the ready and ensure that you incorporate all the food groups in their right portions.
Dress Your Baby Right
While there seems to be an endless supply of cute baby outfits on the market, it is vital to keep in mind that babies cannot control their temperature until they are about six months old. You should select the items that you dress your newborn in very carefully.
Ensure that the pieces of clothing you select are temperature appropriate, whether you will stay indoors or go outside. You can also look out for some of the other 24 best postpartum essentials for mom and baby. Take care not to over-bundle your baby, as this can lead to sweating, which may cause chills.
Stall the Visitors
Your family and friends are probably anxious to see the newborn baby as soon as possible. However, it may be a good idea to keep them at bay for a while so that you and your partner can get some quality bonding time with the baby.
Newborn babies are usually receptive and alert immediately after birth, and it is the best time to create a strong bond. You can do so by looking the baby in the eyes and talking to them. This way, they can recognize your voice from the beginning and find it soothing.
Write Things Down
There are many essential details that you do not want to forget regarding the care of your baby. Noting things down will help you keep track of dates and any critical questions you need to ask the doctor. You may also opt to keep a memory journal so that you can take note of important events in your child’s life, such as their first laugh, the day they started crawling or walking, a funny thing they said, and so on.
Consider starting your parenting journey with a notebook or journal close by, and you will never miss an important event in your child’s life.
Enjoy Nap Time
Do not feel guilty if you are happy whenever your baby takes a nap. Your little one is precious, and you should enjoy the time you spend with them, but their nap times can allow you to take short breaks throughout the day.
Take advantage of nap time to do the things that you wouldn’t be able to accomplish while taking care of the baby or try getting some rest yourself.
Becoming a mother is a beautiful experience that can’t be traded with any other. Just remember that the experience of every mother is different, and so are the needs of their children. Strive to find what works best for you and your baby, and stick with it.
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