10 Tips for a New Mom
1. Be prepared at home
Before having your little one make sure that you’re prepared around the house. Have the house spring cleaned and set everything to be easily accessible. Although you’re not going to want to raise a baby who just wants to be on the arm, I can guarantee you that you’ll spend more time doing things around the house with baby on your arm than not.
2. Set a schedule from day one
Not only will having a routine make things easier for you, it also puts baby at ease as they grow. They then become aware of what time of day it is. Everyone will have their own way of doing things. I’ll give an example of how I did it. When baby wakes up at 5 am we’ll feed, burp, nappy change, awake for a little while and then feed again and nap time. Baby would sleep till about 8 am (eat, change, play, feed, sleep) 1 pm (eat, change, play) 3 pm (bath, free-time, feed, sleep) and so forth. I’d usually nap with baby in the morning and then use the rest of baby's naps to clean up around the house and eat.
3. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed
All of sudden you have a little human dependant on you 24/7. If you’re breastfeeding it can be draining when baby feeds. You may even feel sleepy. This is normal but make sure that you and baby are in a safe space if you do feel this way. You’re tired, you’re drained, you don’t know if what you’re doing is right and some may even feel frustrated if your baby cries a lot. Post Natal depression is also a very really real state. Woman may feel detached, scared, anxious and incappable of taking care of their little one. And that is okay. You are not alone. Get help by seeing your family doctor.
4. Get sleep
I cannot stress this enough. If you have help, use it. Take a good full sleep undisturbed.
5. Have "you" time
Take the time to do your hair or at least brush it. Do your feet. Watch a series or movie. By taking care of yourself you are making yourself feel good. If you feel good about yourself you can go back to your kids energized and ready to be a mom again.
6. Take a shower
This may seem like something weird to add. But trust me, when you’re taking care of a baby, especially if there’s no help around, showers become a luxury. So whenever you can, take that shower. You’ll feel so much better if you’re fresh and clean as well.
7. Get out of the house
Don’t be trapped by four walls. Sit outside in the sun or take a walk down the street. Or perhaps even go to the mall when area is quiet. You need to eventually start being around people and the adult population.
8. Remember that you’re not "just a mom"
You are a beautiful woman who deserves some TLC. Whether it’s having your partner give you a massage or having coffee on the porch. Do little things for yourself which makes YOU happy.
9. Trust your instinct
You have developed mom-instincts the moment you gave birth. You’ll know when baby is unhappy or not well. If you allow, the insticts will flow naturally. Without thinking you’ll automatically know what to do. Believe in yourself and your insticts even should others fight against it.
10. Don’t get too comfortable
The moment you think you know it all, your baby will require that you develop a new part of yourself. There are many milestones to work through. Your baby will always need you. So enjoy the ride and embrace every moment!
