10 things all new Moms should know

1.) Follow your instinct. You will get advice left, right and center whether you are asking for it or not. Well meaning – yes, overwhelming – yes! Your best friend says feed on demand, your Mom says stretch the feeds out, your Aunt say co-sleep, your cousin says get the baby into their own room as soon as possible. It can be endless, often conflicting, confusing and leave you not knowing what to do for the best. The answer to all your early mothering uncertainties is to follow your instincts. Every baby is different, what works for one mother may not work for you. You and your partner know your baby better than anyone else and you will know what best suits your baby.

2.) Tears – they will come, let them out. Whether they are happy or sad tears most women will need a good cry in the weeks postpartum. It is perfectly normal to need to release that emotion. I remember being up for 9th time to nurse in the same night and crying my heart out. I felt so overwhelmed by the tiredness and just how much this little person needed me. It’s ok to let it out, in fact you might feel better about it afterwards. Be sure to share your emotion with your partner or family for support.

3.)The brick wall! If you’ve had an empowering and positive birth experience (www.positivebirthagency.com) you will most likely feel like Superwoman following the birth. You might find yourself flying around doing house work, running out to the store and all the other everyday things within days of the birth. Be mindful that you have just gone through a very powerful physical experience. It will catch up on you if you haven’t given yourself enough time to physically recuperate. Enjoy your baby and don’t take on too much too soon.

4.) Visitors. You may be happy to see lots of people, you might not want to see anyone for a while. If you don’t want many visitors just ask your friends and family for some time. They will all be dying to meet your baby but if you need a little more time to yourself to adjust to your new life, don’t feel guilty about it or feel pressurized into having people over when you’re not ready. If you have visitors over straight away don’t panic about how clean the house is or preparing food etc. Your friends and family are there to see you and your baby and will most likely be offering to make you tea and bringing nibbles with them.

5.) Postpartum Depression – it happens. Some mothers experience it following a traumatic birth but it is not limited to this group of women. You could have had the most fabulous birth imaginable and still be hit with this. The most important thing to remember if you feel like there’s something just not right is to talk to someone. Start off with your partner or a family member and get into your doctor. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Your baby deserves the best of you so looking after yourself as a new Mom should be of the utmost importance. Unfortunately a lot of us tend to put our own needs aside once our babies arrive and focus only on our babies. You are not just responsible for your baby, you are responsible for looking after yourself for your baby.

6.) Babysitting. Everyone will be looking to mind your baby. Who doesn’t love a newborn snuggle? Leaving your baby for the first time can be distressing to some Moms. That’s ok. Don’t feel like you have to go out for “alone time”. If you feel leaving your baby would be too stressful give it a bit more time and have those babysitters come over and look after baby while you have a nice long bath or get your hairdresser to call over. You will get there, a night out and some grown up time with your other half or friends will be fantastic when you feel comfortable with.

7.) Sex! Whether you’ve had a cesarean, an episiotomy or not a stitch when the time comes and you want to be intimate with your partner it can be daunting. If you are a first time Mom you could well feel very nervous for a number of reasons. Will it hurt, will it feel the same for him, will it feel the same for me, etc. Just take things easy and if you feel pain or discomfort stop and go speak to your doctor. For the majority of women-it won’t hurt or feel any different. The anticipation of something being wrong is often more in our heads then our bodies.

8.) Crap, you will NOT use half the crap you bought. When I think back to the things I bought that barely got used. There is any amount of baby gadgets out there. Don’t get sucked in. A lot of it you will be trying to sell or give away within months.

9.) Baby clothes, don’t go out and buy all newborn size baby clothes. Why? Because all your friends and family will buy you newborn size baby clothes and what does that result in? You trying to sell or give away brand new, never worn newborn baby clothes within months. You will never get through it all before your baby is in the next size up.

10.) Remember the scene in friends were Rachel and Ross get locked outside the apartment and baby Emma is inside sleeping? Rachel is hysterical and Ross in an attempt to show her he thinks she is acting crazy portrays a scene where a bird flies in and knocks over the bassinette, a fire start, a whirlwind etc? Yes, it will happen with everything. You will see danger in every possible situation. In fact your baby could simply be sleeping soundly and you will check to make sure they are ok because a random thought of blankets over their heads or wires from the monitor or something along those lines will make you uneasy. Worry, it will happen a lot. It’s your Moma instinct kicking in.

Enjoy your beautiful baby when they arrive to turn your world upside down in the most wonderful way imaginable.

www.positivebirthagency.com

Start preparing for a positive birth today, whether that is a non medicated birth or a planned cesarean take the steps towards feeling calm, confident and in control with GentleBirth.