Motherhood: nobody said it was easy, but they also didn’t say how hard it is, either.
If you’re transitioning into motherhood, you may want some tips for new moms. You’re going to face new struggles, but you’ll power through with ease if you’re prepared.
So, make the experience less stressful by getting ready now! Keep reading for some of the best advice for new moms to remember.
1. Focus on What Works for You
It’s hard to believe, but there’s not a single “best way” to be a parent. Understanding and accepting this early on is crucial.
Instead of focusing on what everyone else is doing, just do what works for you. There are many ways to care for a child, so it’s okay if your method is different from others. You know your family and what works best.
2. Create and Stick to a Routine
Do you have a routine for yourself and your baby? If not, you need to make one and start sticking to it. This is one of the most helpful newborn baby care tips you’ll come across.
A regular schedule will keep you organized and on-task. List and plan out meals, chores, and other to-do’s. You’ll be able to remember what needs to be done while also leaving yourself enough time.
3. Take Care of Yourself
You’ve probably been prioritizing your child, from buying all the newborn baby essentials to even losing some sanity. This might sound crazy, but cut back a little.
Of course, it’s great that your baby is already your number one concern. But, one of the most overlooked pieces of advice for new moms is to take care of yourself too.
Allow yourself to get some rest because you deserve it! Eat nutritious meals to keep up your energy. And above all, look after your mental health – it’s so important.
4. Don’t Do It All Alone
No matter how much it feels like it, you’re not alone. There are millions of mothers that are facing the same struggles. And, there are also millions more who have already faced and conquered them!
So if you need help, don’t hesitate to get it.
Whether it’s a beginner’s guide to baths or a list of the best newborn diapers, the resources you need are out there. You can find an endless amount online, or you can ask the mothers in your life.
5. Remember That Nobody is Perfect
At the end of the day, you must remember that nobody is perfect – not even mothers. You won’t be the world’s best mom on day one, and you still might not be by day one-thousand. Learn to be okay with that because it’s normal!
Motherhood will come naturally, even if it doesn’t seem like it. Your instinct will help you know how to take care of a baby.
Save These Tips for New Moms
Motherhood is a challenge, but it’s a rewarding one. With these tips for new moms, you’ll be prepared to face whatever comes your way. You are an amazing mama – don’t forget it!
Struggles of a New Mom
- You don’t look like you – Many women are shocked to learn that after giving birth, they will still look pregnant. “I tell women to bring pregnancy clothes to wear home from the hospital, since they’ll look about seven months pregnant when they leave,” says Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH, assistant professor and associate residency director in the Department of Reproductive Medicine at University of California, San Diego Health Sciences. Six weeks after giving birth, many women still don’t weigh what they did before being pregnant. Don’t silently blame your body; instead, consider the miraculous accomplishment it just accomplished: growing and delivering a kid! Remind yourself that your body doesn’t have to remain this way forever in order to maintain your optimistic outlook. Attend a new parents’ stroller-cise class to lose weight while taking in some fresh air and meeting new people.
- You’re sore – Other unpleasant physical changes, including as edema, hemorrhoids, or sutures following a vaginal tear or c-section, are typical in the first few weeks. According to Karen Deighan, MD, FACOG, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital of Loyola University Health System in Melrose Park, Illinois, women believe they’ll never feel normal again. However, they will. Some of these can be helped by peri bottles, witch hazel pads, and ice packs. You’ll just have to wait it out for the rest as your body heals, making sure you get enough rest and nutrients to be on the road to a full recovery. When you’re sore or hurt, ask your partner, friends, or family members to help you with the baby and other tasks. And despite your desire to complete everything, resist the need to push yourself.
- You are on a loop – Everyone is telling the truth when they say you won’t be sleeping. Baby will spend his days and nights during the first several weeks eating roughly every two hours—and that’s an optimistic estimate! For the third time that night, you’ll be about to fall asleep when your hungry newborn will pamper waking you up once again. For five weeks straight, picture your alarm clock going off every few hours. Not fun.
- You are sleep deprived – Recognize that sleep deprivation will be present. You’ll be worn out, says Deighan. And we’re not talking about the kind of fatigue you have after staying up late to watch the Oscars and waking up at 8:30 to meet the following day. This novel sort of exhaustion may result in headaches, melancholy, irritability, sluggishness, and confusion. How do you function when your sleep is disturbed? The adage, “Sleep whenever you can,” is accurate. But you might require assistance. Apps for moms and pregnant women, like Expectful, have been shown to employ guided meditation to help you get better sleep. It will also aid in your stress relief.
- You re hormonal – The meltdown you experienced when looking for the ideal crib is nothing in comparison to what’s coming up. According to LaCoursiere, “baby blues”—the moodiness that comes along with that hormone flux—occurs in 80% of women. Progesterone levels drop significantly after you shed your placenta, and new mothers are in a very low hormonal state. You’ll feel fairly depressed when you combine lack of sleep with those wacky hormones.
- You feel alone – Emotional support is a big help. According to moms who have experienced it. Unable to leave the house? You can find other women going through the same difficulties you are by searching online forums and support groups, such as the community at TheBump.com (who can with a newborn).
- You are rookie – The most stressful experience for many mothers will be feeding and caring for a newborn child. Should you breastfeed or use a bottle? Is the infant putting out enough wet diapers? Does she still have breath? The inquiries keep coming and are all-consuming because, as any mother does, you are worried about your child (really, you will check your sleeping infant’s breath more times than you can imagine). Try not to become overwhelmed by the details. Just concentrate on feeding, both you and the kid. LaCoursiere advises new mothers to have realistic expectations for their level of productivity once they bring their newborns home. They have three primary responsibilities: feeding you, feeding yourselves, and perhaps bathing one of you.
- Breastfeeding can be tough – It might not be as simple as you think. If you choose to breastfeed, a variety of difficulties could occur, such as the infant not latching on, uncomfortable feedings, or insufficient milk production. Despite what society would have you believe, nursing is more challenging, according to Deighan. Get breastfeeding assistance as soon as you can if you’re having problems to reduce your risk of developing long-term problems. Consult a lactation specialist, the child’s pediatrician, or the hospital support center for advice.
- Baby is still a stranger – There is now a strange creature that resembles you somewhat, sleeps almost constantly, covers you in spit-up and poop, and hardly pays attention to you. It’s normal to occasionally question why you haven’t yet formed a bond. Reassure yourself that getting to know someone takes time.
- You won’t get thanks just yet – Moms won’t notice a link being formed right away since babies don’t immediately smile according to LaCoursiere. “Babies need food, shelter, and sleep; just meet these necessities, and the bonding will happen later.”
Needs of a New Mom
- Postpartum recovery kit– It is essential to have a post-partum rehabilitation package including perineal spray, perineal irrigation bottles (peri-bottles), and heat packs. These things are simple to find separately, and you might even get them from the hospital after giving birth, but having them all together in one kit is just more practical.
- Postpartum maternity pads – Both vaginal and Caesarean deliveries result in postpartum bleeding, which can persist 2–6 weeks. High-quality postpartum pads can be used to control bleeding without hurting any tears or interfering with the healing process. Cold-pack-equipped postpartum pads may also reduce swelling and pain. It is recommended to stock up on the greatest absorbency pads you can find or pads designed expressly for postpartum usage because postpartum bleeding is often thicker and lasts considerably longer than menstruation bleeding.
- Postpartum Girdle – A medical-grade postpartum girdle is made to support your back and abdominal muscles to help with posture and movement, which will speed up your recovery. Additionally, gentle compression from postpartum girdles helps to lessen fluid retention and uterine enlargement. Additionally, postpartum girdles have been shown to facilitate quicker recovery from diastasis recti and following a c-section. The compression provided by the garment may lessen postoperative discomfort and hasten muscle repair and closure.
- Sitz bath and accessories – A sitz bath is a shallow bath used to remove impurities from the perineum and to relieve irritation and pain from hemorrhoids or after an episiotomy. A sitz bath’s heated water also stimulates blood flow, which aids in the area’s recovery. A sitz bath basin, which is a shallow plastic tub that fits over your toilet, is the simplest tool for making a sitz bath. To lessen swelling and prevent infection, sitz baths might also contain witch hazel and epsom salts. Before utilizing a sitz bath with anything other than warm water, be sure to consult your doctor.
- Stool softeners – Constipation after giving birth is a typical issue experienced by many. Your digestive function may temporarily vary as a result of stress, dehydration, medication, and decreased movement. Even if you are not constipated, going to the bathroom can hurt because of stitches, post-birth soreness, and surgery soreness. Even while postpartum constipation normally goes away on its own within a few days, having stool softeners on hand can help.
Brest feeding Essentials
- Breast pump – A pump can help mothers who intend to breastfeed their children entirely. Because breastmilk is created on demand, it is produced in proportion to the amount of milk expressed. A poor milk supply can be established and increased with the aid of pumping. Single and double electric, manual, and battery-operated breast pumps are all available. One kind of pump may suit you better than another depending on whether you intend to solely pump, exclusively breastfeed, or use a combination of the two.
- Nipple cream – Sore, chapped nipples are among the less glamorous side effects of nursing. In essence, nipple cream or balm is a rich moisturizer that guards against moisture loss and skin deterioration on nipples brought on by continuous breastfeeding and pumping. Avoid petroleum jelly and vitamin E-containing nipple creams because they are both dangerous for your infant to eat. Choose items created with materials that are safe for babies, such as lanolin, shea butter, cocoa butter, or coconut oil.
- Nursing pads – Nursing pads are small, absorbent rounds worn inside bras to catch any breast milk leaks and prevent stains on your clothes. Both disposable and reusable nursing pads are available. When you’re out and about, disposable nursing pads are more practical, but they could cost more in the long term. Nursing pads that are washable and reusable are just as effective as disposable ones and are more economical and environmentally friendly.
- Nursing and pumping bras – Your breasts will be supported and comfortable when you are breastfeeding if you use the proper nursing bra. Unfastenable straps and removable cups allow nursing bras to keep out of the way as you breastfeed. Select nursing bras without underwire that are constructed of supple, elastic materials to allow variations in your breast size as your milk production progresses. On the other side, pumping bras are made to hold a breast pump’s flanges in place through tiny openings in the bra’s material, giving you free hands to use for other tasks while you pump.
- Nursing tops – Maternity and nursing tops function similarly to nursing bras in that they both let you access your breast without completely removing the clothing. Some nursing tops have panels that may be pulled from the sides or lifted open from the top and bottom. Others have fronts that are draped to provide more privacy when breastfeeding in public.
Conclusion
We may assist new mothers in managing stress and gaining more self-assurance in their parental position by selecting a few tips that is most relevant to them, offering examples, and sharing personal anecdotes. By implementing these ideas, new mothers can appreciate the priceless moments of parenthood without getting distracted by small things.
Want to keep reading? Check out other articles on our site for more parenting tips, tricks, and guides.