Tips For Settling In With Your Newborn
As the
parents of a newborn, life has changed drastically. Babies take up most of your
day. They require feedings every three to four hours. They require constant
attention while they are awake, too. As a new mother or father your job may
feel overwhelming but in fact it can be one of the most wondrous times you
experience. In order to make sure that your new days as a new parent go well,
consider these tips on incorporating your life into your newborns sudden demand
for attention.
may interest you Infants (0-1 year of age)
Developing
A Routine
One of
the keys to your success as a new parent will be your ability to set up a new
routine for your child. A routine allows for everything to get done that needs
to within the allotment of limited time you have. A routine is nearly possible
at first because your newborn will dictate every minute that you have. Yet, it
is still likely you can put in place a few crucial details.
· Go to bed
early. Newborns sleep most of the day away, so take advantage of this. You may
have to get up three or more times per night but going to bed early will still
allow you to have enough sleep.
· Make
morning time a time for feedings and small things to do around the home. Don't
expect to do a lot of chores during that first month. Instead, incorporate more
time for just doing things in the short amount of time you have.
· In the
afternoon, perhaps when the other parent comes home from work, take a break.
This is a good time to throw a load of laundry into the wash and relax in a
bath. Give yourself a break before the overnight shift starts again.
may interest you Making The Transition To A First Grader
Breastfeeding
Help
At the
hospital, your nurses will help you learn techniques for breastfeeding. Take
advantage of this help and ask questions. Talk to friends about their
experience and learn from their mistakes. If you are finding it difficult to
get your baby to nurse, call the hospital and talk to the nurses. Most
hospitals have nurses who are able to come out and give you help.
Remember
that breastfeeding your baby will take time. Therefore, don't jump at the first
cry baby makes. Instead, get to the restroom first and even get something to
drink. Flip on the television or grab a book to read. This way, you aren't rushed because you are
thinking about the million things you could be doing.
A warm
cloth or a warm shower will help drastically if you are feeling engorged. You
may want to use a heating pad laid over the top of your breasts. This will help you relax and the pain to
subside.
Don't
Fret
Over the
next few weeks, you will receive advice for plenty of friends and family
members. Their advice may be sound, and
their intentions good, but really what you use from it is up to you. Don't feel
obligated to do whatever they tell you.
Accepting
help from anyone that offers is always a good thing. Do not feel like you have to do this all on
your own. It is difficult and it will feel like you are not a good mom if you
can't handle it all. This isn't true,
though. If your neighbor would like to visit and perhaps give baby a bottle, go
ahead and let them. This is a good time
for you to sneak off for a quick shower, for example.
When it
comes to giving out the tasks to those who are looking to help, give them the
tasks that take longer to do. For example,
if your sister wants to come over and help for the day, asking what she can do
for you, give her a larger job. Ask her
to handle the vacuuming or even changing the sheets on the bed. The small tasks around the home are all
things you likely can do yourself, in between feedings and sleeping.
Being a
new mother is hard, but it will get easier. Over time, you may find that by
reaching out to others, you can improve the quality of your own time with your
child.
With my best wishes