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New Mom - 6 Tips for survival

 

New Mom...6 Tips for survival
being prepared eases stress.
 

Friends with perfect babies that sleep through the night, women that bounce back and are out on the town before you can even get out of bed....Seriously?  No not really.  Reality Check and Realistic expectations are needed...NOW!


NewbornTIP No. 1: You Can Not Spoil a Newborn

What you need to know to get through those first 2 months was never told to you.  New babies are all different yet the same. This may be your number one or your number 4 but the worrying and stress never diminishes.  What worked with your friend's baby or what worked with your first baby may not work with your new baby. That's just the way it is.  So how are babies the same? All babies need there basic needs met.  They eat, sleep, poop and pee and occasionally are awake long enough to give you a reflexive smile.  Therefore, your job, and hopefully your partner's job as well, is to meet those needs. So this means you will be sleep deprived, you will be at your newborn's beck and call and you should be, you will hold, cuddle, sway, walk, sleep, diaper, feed and carry your baby ALL THE TIME.  Yes this is the reality check. YOU CAN NOT SPOIL A NEWBORN and yes...this too shall pass.  We promise.

 

TIP No. 2: Take care of yourself

Taking care of yourself has to be one of your priorities because you need to be at your best in order to take care of your newborn.

  1. Arrange support for yourself BEFORE the baby comes.  Is your partner taking time off? Do you have a mother, sister, aunt or friend that is willing to come over and help with some light meal duty and housekeeping duty? Can you hire a Post Partum Doula? Stagger your support so you are not left at the end of the first week with no one to help.
  2. When the baby is here be prepared to rest.  Remember you just went through labor and your body needs time to recover, your hormones need time to normalize and emotionally you need time to take it all in. Rest while holding your baby. Rest next to your baby while your baby is asleep. Rest everytime you have a free minute, 20 minute cat naps do a world of good.
  3. Eat. This seems easy enough but when you are exhausted and spendind every waking moment with your newborn it's not so easy.  Keep portion ready foods at the ready. Have your partner or helper make you small meals and snacks before they leave. That way it's easy to just grab a bite. Easy small and frequent meals keeps your energy up.
  4. Drink. The same goes for drinking. Not gallons of fluid but enough to satisfy your thirst. Whether you are breastfeeding or not, if your mouth is dry...drink!

TIP No. 3: Babies cry.

Newborns cry.  It's their basic instinctive communication. Your new baby will cry if he/she is hungry, uncomfortable, overstimulated, bored, want something or because he/she wants to be close to you.  You are not doing anything wrong is your baby cries, it doesn't necessarily mean your baby is colicky or that they are eating the wrong way. They just cry and you need to learn how to deal with it.  My recommendation is to rent the Happiest Baby on the Block-DVD. Dr. Harvey Karp has developed the 5-S's the tried and true soothing techniques that will help you through these first couple of months.  If however, you are having questions or concerns regarding how your baby is nursing PLEASE seek the help of a Lactation Consultant as soon as possible. THe longer you wait the more complicated the problem can become. Please read When to Call a Lactation Consultant.

 

TIP No. 4: Be Prepared.

You haven't traveled with your baby and things take time.  Unless you've done this before please allow extra time when you need to go somewhere be it to the Pediatrician or other appointments.  Give yourself time to diaper and dress the baby, be prepared for an accident before you leave it seems to almost inevitable and definitely give yourself time to figure out the car seat!  Always have your diaper bag ready to go so you don't have to run around packing it everytime.

  1. ~You will need 4-5 diapers, Always take more than what you will need.
  2. ~Baby wipes, preferably the sensitive kind.
  3. ~A fold away changing pad
  4. ~Diaper cream, A&D is fine for the newborn phase
  5. ~2 burp clothes
  6. ~1 receiving blanket
  7. ~1 or 2 extra outfit, this includes socks
  8. ~cap or sun hat
  9. ~A pacifier for comfort, if you are nursing it is recommended that you hold off on introducing pacifiers until breastfeeding is well established.
  10. ~If you breastfeeding you are READY TO GO, if you're on the modest side then make sure your nursing cover is in the bag.
  11. ~If you are formula feeding then you will need to bring enough feedings. You never know if you will be detained so always bring more than you need. My recommendation; have your formula powder in right portioned packets ready.

This is per baby so if you are blessed with twins, triplets or more, please multiply.

 

TIP No. 5: Carry your baby!

I repeat...carry your baby and you can not spoil your newborn.  Babies need to be held. If you notice your baby sleeps wonderfully on you and the minute you put them down they begin to cry you  are not alone. This is normal baby behavior.  Babies need to be in close proximity to their mother, for security, warmth, protection and nutrition.  It's natures way.  Although our society as created many ways to assist mothers in putting down their babies...bouncy seats, swings, pack-n-play, infant monitors, and even video monitors, it'snot what they want or need.  Carry your baby, My recommendation is to invest in a baby carrier that keeps your baby with you and keeps you hands free.  If this doesn't seem  practical then read TIP #1 again. This is the reality check part again. You have a newborn and your job is to meet basic needs...this too shall pass...we promise.  Think about it. They spent 40 weeks (if we're lucky) in a warm, dark and cozy environment where they had almost constant motion, sound, and nutrition. Now we welcome them into a cold bright world and place them on hard mattresses and feed them on a schedule...does this seem right to you? NO. This is why the newborn phase is a rude awakening for many new parents. Newborns don't behave this way. They want what they want and need and that's what you are there for.  As your newborn gets older this will no longer be the case.  Ask any mother who's toddler is running away from her!

 

TIP No. 6: It gets easier

Welcoming a newborn to the home is completely overwhelming, especially if you haven't taken any prepatory classes and you don't have any baby experience.  So be reassured that this will get easier, schedules will happen, you will be able to put your baby down and shower even.  Look for a group of new mothers that are like minded and form your own support group. Motherhood is a journey, more like a roller coaster ride, but you get what I mean.  Please check out the classes we offer to see if there is something we can help you with. Any questions? Simply Contact Us.

 

*The above information is not medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation with your physician.  Our goal is to provide information that will prompt further discussion with your primary care provider. If you have concerns about your health or the health of your child please contact your healthcare provider.

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