Congratulations! Your baby, who you have been dreaming for months about, is finally here. Now that you have survived pregnancy and labour, it is time to start a new chapter in life—motherhood. Bringing a new baby home can be quite intimidating, more so for new mums; that tiny, fragile being will be totally dependent on you so the need to be well equipped with baby knowledge is crucial before the hands-on work.
To help ease your transition into motherhood, we have compiled a list of need-to-knows to care for baby as well as yourself in those upcoming weeks. Let us get started!
Skin-to-Skin contact (aka kangaroo care)
Your baby’s first point of contact should be you. Skin-to-skin contact is when your baby is placed naked on your chest right after birth. Studies have shown that this first touch not only helps mother and baby bond, but also helps the baby recognise your unique scent and the feel of your skin. Routine checks such as height, weight and counting of fingers and toes can wait—so you and your husband can enjoy this first moment of parenthood.
Feeding
Babies are born with a strong instinct to suckle and will be happy to be put at the breast right after birth. If you intend to breastfeed, make it known to your doctor and nurses not to offer anything in a bottle which can lead to nipple confusion. If your milk supply has not kicked in, try squeezing the colostrum into your baby’s mouth.
For the first three months, it is important to nurse your baby whenever he/she wants. Scheduling a feeding timetable too early can interrupt your baby’s growth, especially when he/she is going through a growth spurt.
Sleep
Be ready to sacrifice your sleep because your baby is going to need you, all through the night! Unlike adults, a baby’s sleep cycle will last about an hour or so. And because babies have very small stomachs, they will wake up to be fed every two to three hours or require a change of diaper, meaning you will be inevitably scheduled for night duties. Caring for a newborn can be extremely tiring so when help is offered, take it! Take some time alone to catch up on sleep or have a relaxing shower to gather your thoughts.
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Mood Swings
Your hormones are all over the place. You may feel really, really sad one moment yet jump at your husband’s throat for not giving you the right water temperature. When everyone else but you has gone back to their daily routine, a wave of loneliness and depression seems to engulf you. Don’t worry! These drastic emotions are normal and every mother, including second time mums, will undergo this rollercoaster phase. Just take it as your P.M.S being set on overdrive.
It is important to talk to someone about these feelings. Your husband is your best form of support. You can also talk to other new mums or a close friend. Mood swings and baby blues, if not managed well, can lead to severe post-natal depression and could pose a threat to you and baby. Should you experience extreme negativity, seek professional help immediately.
Post-baby Image
Your tummy grew over nine months so do not expect baby belly to vanish overnight. Those pinkish stretch marks could be here and to stay. Your breasts will now be sore and dripping with milk. It’s hard to feel sexy but embrace your new and just-as-gorgeous state of femininity. Learn to give your body some time to recover. If your self-esteem is at an all-time low, remember that a miracle has happened. You created and sustained life inside of you and the best nourishment your baby can have comes from you. You are more beautiful than you think.
Toilet Visits
Whether you had an episiotomy or perineal tear, visiting the loo will be one of your initial fears. Many mothers wince at the idea of their first visit to the loo but honestly, the thought is more painful than the deed; what’s more, the stitches are meant to dissolve naturally over time and it is almost unheard of for them to come apart (even with the bearing down that comes with taking a poop). If you are really nervous, try taking lots of fibre to help soften your stools so that you can minimise straining. Instead of wiping, pour warm water over your private areas and dab gently with extra soft toilet paper (remember to wipe from front to back).
Limit Visitors
Everyone it seems, from grandparents and extended family, to friends and casual acquaintances, will be eager to see your newborn. When you are exhausted, dishevelled and overwhelmed with motherhood, the last thing you feel up to is entertaining visitors. Family and friends should respect and understand your simple request of arranging for another visiting date, and at your convenience, only after you and baby have had enough rest and time to settle down. Sometimes, however, the unexpected visitor must be accommodated and should that happen, instead of getting annoyed, try and be a gracious host by allowing them to coo over baby while you recharge with a bottle of recuperative chicken essence.
It is also a good practice to limit visitors, especially during the early weeks. Newborns are still building up their natural immunity and that’s precisely the reason why contact with the outside world is minimised. Try to reduce your newborn’s contact with other children as they may be carrying germs from school or play areas. Practicing personal hygiene is vital—get visitors to wash their hands first before touching your baby. When they leave, you can wash your baby’s hands with mild soap and rinse off or use baby wipes. A sick baby adds more pressure to a fatigue mother so adopt preventative measures from the start and incorporate these into your regular and daily lifestyle until they become habitual practices.
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Copyrighted Pregnancy & Baby by Mummys Market 2019