Life as a new mom

I spent my days at home, hoping I could sleep and lying to my friends as they called to check on me. I was stressed, hormonal, and irritable, and I felt cooped up in my bed, unsure if I’d ever feel normal again. I figured those first weeks with the baby would be difficult, but I had no idea how difficult they would be. One thing I learnt with my second pregnancy is that knowing what to expect really helps! So here are some pointers on what you can expect as a new mom.

• It takes time to return to normalcy.

Many women are surprised to hear that they will continue to appear pregnant after giving birth. Six weeks after giving birth, many women are still not down to their pre-pregnancy weight. It will take some time. Don’t quietly judge the body—remember what it just accomplished: creating and delivering a kid! Have a good attitude to remind yourself that your body does not have to be like this for the rest of your life. Attend a stroller-cise workshop for new moms to get some fresh air (and meet new people!) while slimming down.

• It’s a loop!

Someone advises you that you will not be able to relax, because they are not misleading. For the first three weeks, the baby will feed every two hours during the day and night—and that is an ambitious estimate! You’ll hear the scream of your hungry baby waking you up just as you’re about to drift off to sleep for the third time that night. Consider the alarm clock going off every couple of hours for the next five weeks. It’s not enjoyable. So, expect this before you give birth, so you are ready to deal with it.

You may also read – Preterm baby care tips for a new mom!

• Take the small wins in life.

When our pre-kids’ lives appeared just a few months ago, adjusting to motherhood can be tough. We recall the days when we could stay up late, nap wherever we liked, and eat for as long as we wanted. It can seem almost difficult to reconcile that existence with our current one. Instead, focus on minor victories. Find quick, doable ways to integrate your previous life into your current life as a parent. Don’t be afraid to run an errand with the boy, no matter how tight the time span is—at the very least, you did it. And if you know, you’ll need to attend to her in a few minutes, make yourself a cup of tea, and savor each drink as she sleeps. Shop for cotton onesies and baby hoodies for your little one by yourself.

• Breastfeeding can get tough for a new mom.

If you plan to breastfeed, you can face a variety of difficulties, such as the baby not latching, uncomfortable feedings, or a loss of milk supply. Society portrays breastfeeding as easy, but it is often more difficult. Always have a muslin wrap handy during feeding.  If you’re having difficulty breastfeeding, it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible to avoid long-term complications. Consult a lactation nurse, the baby’s pediatrician, or the hospital care service for advice

• Embrace the confusion and be easy on yourself

Feeding and caring for a newborn baby can cause the most discomfort for many mothers. Should you breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby? Is your baby putting out enough wet diapers? Is she still alive and well? (Believe it or not, you’ll be checking your sleeping baby’s breath more often than you can imagine.) The questions go on and on, and they consume you—because, like any mother, you’re worried about your kid. Just concentrate on what matters most: feeding both the baby and yourself! When a new mom comes home with her new son or daughter, it is advisable to be optimistic about what she will accomplish. The new moms have three fundamental responsibilities: Feed their daughter, feed themselves, and bathe one of their children on occasion.

Last but not least, it’s okay if you don’t adapt to motherhood immediately. There’s now a small human that resembles you, sleeps almost all of the time, coats you with spit-up and feces, and scarcely recognizes your presence. It’s not unusual to ask why you haven’t yet formed a connection. Remind yourself that getting to know each other takes time.

Author Bio:

I am Andrea Micheal, a post-graduate in humanities and communications and an inquisitive person who loves writing. I’m working for Tiny Twig, and my forte is digital marketing and everything that has to do with phones and screens. I am someone who believes that one person can make a change, and that’s precisely why I took up writing, which is the best tool to communicate these days. I have a decade of experience in writing and marketing, and I still find myself learning new things about it, which I want to share with my readers.

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