The moment you hold your baby for the first time is priceless. You feel all kinds of indescribable emotions pulsing in your body. Right when the baby is born, in addition to these conditions, you will also have the big question: How will you survive the first month?
This first month is among the most beautiful, but also full of challenges. Because you and the father will encounter new situations to which you must learn to adapt together with the newborn.
You must know from the beginning that being a mother is not easy at all. Especially in the first month it is a mix between love, happiness, fear, physical pain and fatigue. You will receive so much advice from the people around you, advice from their experience, but no one will be able to give you the magic formula to successfully get through the first month of the baby's life.
Here you will find some things that I hope will help you get through this period well and see that not everything is as black as you imagine. Every situation has a solution.
First of all, be patient.
One important thing to do is to adjust to your new rhythm of life. Your baby needs to be fed and cared for constantly, which means it will be a little difficult to sync your schedule with his.
Every day is different, and you have to make patience an ally. Don't put pressure on yourself by trying to stay in control of every situation. Give yourself time to get to know and understand your baby.
You need rest.
Yes, the cliche "Try to sleep while the baby sleeps." it really applies. Small rest breaks are essential to maintain physical and emotional well-being, not just to recharge your energy.
You will have a harder time managing stress and feel more overwhelmed and frustrated from lack of sleep. This is why you should not neglect rest.
You can create an environment the way you like it, comfortable, without distractions, just good for a nap when the baby falls asleep.
Food is especially important during breastfeeding.
Choose foods that are rich in fiber, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grain bread. They help you avoid the constipation that often occurs in the postpartum period.
It is equally important to consume foods rich in calcium and iron to avoid anemia that can occur during childbirth and blood loss.
If you are breastfeeding, drink as much liquid as possible, preferably more than 2-3 liters per day. But remember, the best incentive for lactation is the baby itself.
Take care of your body.
With the arrival of the newborn, you will be in your place. However, you must also take into account the importance of taking care of your own physical health. Your body will go through various changes that can affect, more or less, your self-esteem and mood.
To take care of your physical and mental health, you can ask your doctor if it is possible to go for walks, or practice stretching, yoga or pilates.
Accept all the help that is offered to you.
Please remember that you don't have to do everything by yourself. If your partner, family or friends offer to help you, simply accept. They will give you the support you need to make it easier to cope with your first month as a mother.Help can be of any type. They help you prepare food, with housework, sit and watch the baby while you sleep or give you emotional support, they simply stay with you and keep you company.
These gestures will make the first month a more pleasant experience for you.
Let the newborn sleep as much as he wants.
Newborns need to get enough rest. They have short sleep cycles, and on average sleep about 16-18 hours total per day. Place the baby on his back on a flat, firm surface and make sure there are no toys or other soft objects around him. In this way you give your little one a safe sleep.
Their circadian cycle is still developing. That is, the internal clock learns to regulate your sleeping and waking patterns. This is why, in some cases, the newborn confuses day with night, because he does not know how to distinguish between the two.
No rash.
The main reason why diaper rash appears is that the baby is not changed on time. Pay attention to this and change diapers that get dirty regularly. Clean the area well and carefully then apply a cream with zinc oxide, which creates a protective layer between the skin and moisture.When it comes to taking care of your little one, know that daily baths are not necessary. But you have to keep the umbilical cord clean until it breaks off and falls off. Also pay attention to and thoroughly clean areas such as the folds under the neck, under the arms and the area behind the ears.
Yes, the first month will be a completely new and different time because it is about adaptation. You may find it a little difficult, but there is no good time and bad time. You will enjoy every moment, regardless of its weight.
