Expecting a baby can bring up all types of emotions. You might feel excited and elated as well as nervous and overwhelmed.
Being a first-time mom is full of unknowns. That’s why we’ve put together this guide, with 5 tips to keep you and your baby healthy. Keep reading to find out more.
1. Bond with Your Baby
You might expect to feel an overwhelming rush of love and connection as soon as your baby is born. But remember that it’s completely normal if you don’t feel connected to your baby straight away.
Pregnancy, birth, and motherhood can feel quite surreal. It can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that you are suddenly a new mom, responsible for your baby. Caring for your newborn can feel relentless and exhausting.
If this is how you’re feeling, don’t panic. You need time to get to know your little one and get used to being a mom.
Skin-to-skin contact can help bond with your baby. When your baby is born, they will usually be placed on your chest so that you have this contact straight away. Other opportunities for contact include waking up in the morning, bath time, and bedtime.
Eye contact can also help develop your bond with your newborn. Feeding is the perfect opportunity to try this.
Focus on responding to your baby’s needs. Keep them safe and well, and treat any conditions with trusted medication like hemangeol.com. Offer them closeness, comfort, and love.
2. You Won’t Be Exhausted Forever
Most moms-to-be are warned about the lack of sleep. But when you bring your baby home, the exhaustion can feel overwhelming.
Babies usually wake up every 2 to 3 hours for a feed. This means that you usually only get a couple of hours of rest at a time and never enter full REM sleep.
This lack of sleep and exhaustion can feel impossible to cope with. It can also make it more difficult to deal with the responsibilities and emotions that come with being a new mom.
Just remember that this exhaustion will end. Within a few weeks, your baby will start to sleep in longer chunks.
Try to encourage your baby to learn that nighttime is for sleeping. To do this, you can create a bedtime routine.
Enjoy calming activities before bed like bath time, reading, and listening to lullabies. Give night feeds in the bedroom, keeping it as dark and quiet as possible.
3. Plan and Prepare
When you’re tired and overwhelmed, try to make things easier for yourself. Planning and preparing can make things simpler.
Before you start a task, try to get everything that you need ready and in one place.
Before bathing your baby, gather a clean towel, warm clothes, cream, and a clean diaper. Before you take your baby out, pack wipes, cream, clean diapers, nappy sacks, clean clothes for you and baby, and bottles (if you’re bottle-feeding).
4. Make Time for Yourself
When you bring your baby home, it can feel impossible to find time for yourself. You can be so busy and preoccupied with doing things for your little one, that you forget to do things for yourself.
As a new mom, it’s more important than ever that you look after yourself. Don’t forget who you are, what you need, and what you enjoy.
Set aside time in the day to do something for yourself. That might be taking a bath, reading a book, or buying something new.
Don’t ignore your emotions and needs. Laugh if you want to, cry if you’re sad, and reach out to someone if you need to. Socialize in whatever way you feel comfortable. Get as much rest as you can, and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Remember that you’re not a bad mom for needing time for yourself.
5. Ask for Help
Being a first-time mom can feel scary, confusing, overwhelming, and difficult.
You have been through a lot. You have spent 9 months growing a baby and then given birth. Your whole life has changed, and suddenly you have to keep your little one safe and well.
It’s not surprising that daily life can feel overwhelming. Simple tasks like cleaning, cooking, or doing laundry can feel like too much.
Remember that don’t have to do everything alone. Reach out to those around you and ask for help if you need it.
Tips for a First Time Mom
Becoming a first time mom can be full of extreme emotions and new experiences. It can be overwhelming.
Follow these tips to keep you and your little one safe, happy, and healthy.
Did you find this helpful? Then take a look at some of our other lifestyle articles for helpful advice and tips.
