I am 38 weeks with my first and have had great anti-natal care about labour and pregnancy but apart from reading books don't feel as prepared for the first few weeks with our new baby - all I hear is warnings from mums on how tired I will be!
Any little tips on how to stay positive, healthy and happy in those first few weeks? Anything I can do to prepare apart from buy the usual baby stuff?
2007-03-14 07:11:34 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Well I will tell you Congrats on being a New mom, its sooo overwhelming at first, but once your baby is here, it will all be well worth it....
Be sure to Eat healthy and Prepare for the Baby Coming home! Buy allot of Diapers, and Wipes in Advance! when you first bring your baby home, all you will do is change Diapers! Get sleep now as much as you can. My mom told me this, however I was way to excited to sleep, I now have a almost year old, and I am officially a Zombie.
Read all that you can, not Just about the Delivery of your baby, but how to take care of your baby for the first year. Make sure that you have plenty of Gas Drops, and Infant Tylenol in your Medicine Cabinet. Also make sure that you use the Disposable Bottle Liners, this will save you tons of time, and Proony hands with all the Bottle and Nipple Sterilization. And Lastly stock up on those Breast Pads, you will need them!!!! the last thing that you want is to be in public with a newborn baby, giving the whole town a wet T-shirt Contest :P You will do fine, and Honestly I worried about making sure everything was done... but It just comes natural when your baby is here. Good Luck!
2007-03-14 07:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well i have had 3 kids now and all i can say is RELAX!!
These book make things out to be so bad. Its not as hard as everyone says. If you have a supportive partner that helps.
I have suffered with post natal depression with one child and not with the other two.
And i did nothing different with any of them.
If you feel it will help make some dinners that you can microwave between feeding and all that rubbish.
But if you ask me the best thing you can do is relax and rest.
Sleepless nights are a shock to the system if your not having them anyway but you will get over it.
Go book yourself in somewhere and get pampered because that is one of the few things that you will find hard to fit in after little one is born.
Everyone is different i know but really the best thing you can do is rest, relax and enjoy the last few weeks of piece and quiet.
As for the keeping happy part in the first few weeks, the best advice i was given was take one day at a time. Its a shock to the system like i said. You feel frumpy with a huge marshmellow like tummy, then you feel the whole world is crashing around you, Your partner doesnt fancy you any more And better still You miss your old life Then next thing you know your milk comes in and your crying your eyes out.
Your partner asks whats wrong and you shout out "i just feel like crying" DONT WORRY its all normal.
We've all been there. You've got to understand your hormones are everywhere. If you feel down there is a great website www.netmums.com im sure they can help you. Well you dont have to feel down to go on there. Go on there now!
anyway good luck with the baby hunni. X
2007-03-14 07:21:25 · answer #2 · answered by ashlie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Organise your mum/friends/neighbours to drop off an extra couple of portions of dinner, and perhaps shop or walk the dog. They can have a cuddle with baby as a reward!!!
Don't forget your hormones and emotions will be all over the place, and just knowing that everything isn't mounting up waiting for you can make a huge difference, so don't hesitate to ask for help - most people will be flattered that you felt you could ask them. Try to make the mental leap and accept that your priorities have changed - ok, the oven needs cleaning, but its still going to need cleaning a month or 2 down the line so leave it til then! Every moment is precious, don't waste it on mundane things. As my Health Visitor advised - Ditch It, Delegate It, Defer It, Do It. It takes a little practice, especially if you're a control freak, but its good advice. I guess at some point you have to pick your life up, but my little girl is 8 months now and we still live by these rules!!!
Congratulations on your impending arrival, and enjoy motherhood!
2007-03-14 09:32:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cook some food in bulk just now, good food like spag bol and shepards pie, and freeze it so you always have a healthy meal ready or you will be constantly calling for takeaway!
Get everything for the baby ready. Put the clothes (vest and sleepsuits) through the wash (non bio) and put them in the drawers ready for use.
Organise some back up. Maybe your mum would be on standby to take the pressure of you. You will get lots of visitiors. If they call before they come ask them to pick up anything you need from the shops or get them doing the dishes - I did! I had enough to do without entertaining so if people wanted a cuppa they had to do it themselves!
Sleep when baby sleeps. Everyone will tell you that. Its easier said that done, esp if your BF but it really helps. Don't worry if your a zombie for the first week - its normal!
Cancel the papers if you get them delivered - you won't be reading them!
Remember it won't be like this forever. I mind my first night home, screaming baby, boobs leaking everywhere and crying my eyes out telling myself over and over 'It will get better' and guess what - IT DID!!!
I wish you all the best!
2007-03-14 11:03:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do everything that you can to really enjoy this time with the baby and make that important bond. Imagine all the household things that might need to be done during that time period and try to do them ahead of time. Cook and freeze foods so you don't have to do it then. Take care of bills or paperwork. You will be tired, but for me, it was a nice tired. I loved spending those 2 am feedings with my kids. Plan on limiting visitors to small periods of time, having company can be stressful. Most of all, let others help you. Get a breast pump and let dad/grandparents feed the baby too. Do the usual things you would to relax, music, reading. A calm mommy makes for a calm baby.
Good luck!
2007-03-14 07:22:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make lots and lots of food and put in individual sealed containers in the fridge - anything that you can just throw in the microwave as you will not be wanting to cook. Its also a good idea to stock up on things like long life milk, freezable bread and such, as it will be tricky to pop to the shops. Black-out blinds are a must if you cannot sleep during the day.
The best advice I have ever been given is to sleep when the baby sleeps - even if the washing up needs doing or the house needs vacuuming. Sleep is the priority! Also, its always a good idea to not get in to the habit of tiptoeing around the baby - they can sleep through anything! If you let them get used to a silent house though, they loose the ability to sleep while you are vacuuming or crashing around.
2007-03-14 07:16:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
accept all the help on offer and dont worry about getting dressed or house work. I know its really hard to do but sleep when the baby does and sod the washing up !!! Have you got a baby swing ? if not I strongly recommend you get one or borrow one, this was a god send to us, she would sleep in this during the day and I could get some rest. I didnt find books that helpful, but magasines such as pregnncy and birth, mother and baby etc really helped me to know what to expect and gave great advice. Good luck. its the most amazing time of your life, enjoy it xxx
2007-03-14 10:50:25 · answer #7 · answered by Ktloop 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read all kinds of books but nothing prepares you for the first time you take your little one home. I was so worried and tired and scared my son first month home. I had great support from my mother and that helped me to stay positive.
2007-03-14 07:18:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure you have some lose fitting clothes get your self in to a good routine make sure you have a good place for everything fill your baby changing back now with nappies and wipes bibs i always keep these in my change bag all the time if your bottle feeding make sure everything is out and ready in the kitchen to start making bottles get yourself a good bath oil for you to relax when your husband looks after your new baby most of all don't worry enjoy your new baby you will be great all new mothers feel the same way
2007-03-14 07:24:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
U will probally be tired so take a nap when ever the baby does.the baby is a blessing enjoy every bit of it.A baby does not come with a manual it will come naturally.if the baby fuses you will figure out what the baby needs oe wants.weather it's just to be held,hungry,wet etc.you will do fine..your motherly instinct will kick in..Good luck with your new baby and congratulations.
2007-03-14 07:19:22 · answer #10 · answered by angie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋