Pregnancy is a time filled with hormonal ups and downs, as the body expands, the pregnancy hormones reach a peak towards the end, all pointing to helping the body to deliver a healthy baby. Shortly after birth the pregnancy hormones suddenly crash. This time of post partum may be one that is more of an emotional roller coaster than pregnancy itself. Some women are lucky and can sail through both pregnancy and the post partum time with no problems, while others may find it difficult coping. Below are tips for dealing with this post partum time.
Are You Prepared For the First Six Weeks
Are you prepared for the emotions, the physical stress, the lack of sleep and the utter joy and tears that are to come during your baby’s first six weeks of life? Do not think that your baby will automatically go on a schedule and things will go according to the way you plan it. Newborns do not have schedules and are at the mercy of their basic necessities, that of eating, and being clean. They will cry when hungry, they will cry when their diaper needs changing (sometimes) and they may cry when they feel uncomfortable. This is a major time of adjustment, especially for first time parents.
Dealing with the Demands of a Newborn
Suddenly you go from having the baby all to yourself while in-utero to having a tiny person making demands on you almost constantly. Once a mom gets over shellshock, especially with the first baby, she can easily fall into a routine, but the first six weeks is not the time to think of any routine. Read what you can about taking care of a newborn. Have all the supplies on hand to help with the care, to make things easier on you. Ask for help from a relative or friend if you find these demands are a bit too taxing. The number one piece of advice, especially those first few weeks, is to rest when they do. Newborns do sleep a lot, but it may be in shorter spurts.
Rest!
Take advantage of maternity leave (if you work outside the home) and use this time to absolutely rest when the baby does. During the post partum period, your body is trying to get back to normal. It can take six weeks or longer for the hormones to balance, and for your energy to return. Do not push yourself, if you are fatigued, stop, and just relax. Babies at this age do not spoil easily by holding them all the time, so relax with the baby and enjoy the bonding time. Allow the wounds to heal, if you had an episiotomy or a cesarean especially. Take proper care of the wounds.
Do Not Take on Extra Activities
Post partum is not the time to take on new projects. Just because you may be “off” work, does not mean you have to get up and do. That room that needs painting can be a weekend project later. If it is spring, do not take on spring-cleaning. That too can wait. Adjust your sleeping patterns to match that of the baby. Learn to take naps during the day, whether you think you need them or not. A short nap can boost energy levels at this point and enable you to be able to do what needs done without wearing yourself out.
Joyce is a loving parent and writer for the My Baby Bedding Shop Blog. Take a look at her Baby Boy Bedding Sets.
