Tips On How To Cope With A New Baby
- By Aaron Nimocks
- Published 04/3/2008
- Parenting
- Unrated
Aaron Nimocks
Aaron Nimocks is a frequent blogger at Pregnancy Hut and offers advice on his Pregnancy Forums.
View all articles by Aaron Nimocks
When you find out that you are pregnant, you will go through so many different stages. First is elation that you are pregnant; you will want to share the news with the world. Then comes the time in the middle of your pregnancy when everything is running great and you have the glow of a new mom to be. Then comes the last trimester, now you are tired all the time, emotional and just don't want to be pregnant anymore. Don't confuse this emotion with not wanting the baby. Many women experience this but all it means is that you don't want to be pregnant, you wish the baby would come right now. Pregnancy is very hard sometimes and with all of the hormones changing inside it can play with your emotions a bit.
Let's fast forward, you are in hospital and the baby was just born. Now you are excited to be a mom. Family and friends are coming to see the baby and you feed and hold them while in the hospital. It is a serene experience. But now comes when the baby comes home. You realize immediately that it is very different from being in the hospital. The best way to cope with a new baby is to get a lot of help. At least within the first month. Have friends and family help as much as possible.
For example, experts say, to sleep when the baby sleeps. While it sounds good in theory, it doesn't always happen that way. Especially when you
have more than one child. By having a family member or friend come and watch the baby while you take a nap for a few hours would be great. Then you can wake up refreshed and ready to play with the baby.
Whoever says the first three months are easy, they are lying or they have round the clock help. It is hard work and you will make many sacrifices. But it is all worth it because you have a happy and healthy baby. Within the first three months, you will sleep in increments of 3 to 4 hours a night, all between feedings. You will be tired, most of the time because there are others things like cooking and cleaning and taking care of the other children if you have any.
The best way to deal with everything is to make a list or a schedule. Get as much of your errands or housework done in the morning hours. This way mostly everything is done and being taken care of. How you set up your life will make everything easier for you, even if you don't have any help at all. Your baby will start sleeping through the night at about 3 to 4 months old. Then you can really set up a schedule that really works well for you.
You may not get it right the first time, but it is all about trial and error. You will soon find a groove that works. If you find yourself overwhelmed, take a break. You want to be super mom but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. Don't feel ashamed if you need help. All new moms need a break every once in a while.
Let's fast forward, you are in hospital and the baby was just born. Now you are excited to be a mom. Family and friends are coming to see the baby and you feed and hold them while in the hospital. It is a serene experience. But now comes when the baby comes home. You realize immediately that it is very different from being in the hospital. The best way to cope with a new baby is to get a lot of help. At least within the first month. Have friends and family help as much as possible.
For example, experts say, to sleep when the baby sleeps. While it sounds good in theory, it doesn't always happen that way. Especially when you
Whoever says the first three months are easy, they are lying or they have round the clock help. It is hard work and you will make many sacrifices. But it is all worth it because you have a happy and healthy baby. Within the first three months, you will sleep in increments of 3 to 4 hours a night, all between feedings. You will be tired, most of the time because there are others things like cooking and cleaning and taking care of the other children if you have any.
The best way to deal with everything is to make a list or a schedule. Get as much of your errands or housework done in the morning hours. This way mostly everything is done and being taken care of. How you set up your life will make everything easier for you, even if you don't have any help at all. Your baby will start sleeping through the night at about 3 to 4 months old. Then you can really set up a schedule that really works well for you.
You may not get it right the first time, but it is all about trial and error. You will soon find a groove that works. If you find yourself overwhelmed, take a break. You want to be super mom but sometimes it doesn't work out that way. Don't feel ashamed if you need help. All new moms need a break every once in a while.
