Being a mother for the first time means decorating a nursery, getting some supplies for
your child, and reading as many things on raising babies. However, once the baby comes
home you feel overwhelmed and thrown into many unexpected twists and turns
especially during the intense first few weeks. It’s easy to be left feeling a little
unprepared with so much to recall and so many “what ifs” to cover. Lucky for you we
have put together the ultimate new mother survival guide, packed with all the basics
you might have missed in those big baby books, that must have left you overburdened
with all that information.
1. Wearing your infant
The activity of wearing or holding a baby in a sling or another sort of carrier is called
babywearing. Babywearing has been practiced around the world for decades.
Babywearing is a type of baby transport that can be enjoyed, mostly until toddlerhood
and beyond that is for as long as mutually desired. Other than a means of baby
transport, the skin to skin contact experience during babywearing is a great means of
strengthening your bond and nursing relationship with your child, especially within the
first few weeks. Some mothers have also attributed babywearing as a guaranteed way
of getting your baby to sleep leaving you some time for self-care.
2. Taking care of the breasts
Chances are, even though it’s just the first few days or weeks at home, you’re going to
try breastfeeding. The sucking action of a baby is no joke, if your partner doesn’t agree
with you, tell them to place a clean finger in the mouth of the baby. If your facing
troubles with trying to get a proper latch, this can result in fissures, bleeding, or even
scalded nipples.
After each meal, make sure you gently wash your nipples and put a cool washcloth on
them. Using a salve to help them recover. Often, rub the breasts to unclog ducts using
compresses.
3. Don’t hesitate to ask for help
Do not be scared to ask for support from friends and family. These people want to help,
but they don't know what you’d need with.
Plus, if you wish to vent, need breastfeeding guidance, or need to sleep, reach out to
experts. Hiring therapists, baby nurses, nannies, lactation counselors, and postpartum
doulas will surely make your life easy and would say nothing about your ability to be a
mother.
4. Build a Routine
Babies develop routines early, pay attention to the signs and cries of babies, and begin
to construct the routine. It can help you understand what to expect, although the baby
won’t always follow the timetable. Each mother can create a routine for their baby.
Here’s what veteran moms say about building a routine: use an app to keep track of
your baby’s feeds, sleep and wake up times on your phone, and soon you’ll start to see a
pattern. Even if you manage to have just a teeny bit of control over what can be a
stressful time, it’s a big win.
5. Stalling friends and family
As soon as the baby is born, friends and family may want to visit as soon as possible. You
will want to keep them a little at bay so that you can spend time with your baby and
with your spouse alone. Since an infant is usually immediately after the birth, really alert
and responsive, look him/her in the eyes and speak to the baby because this is the
perfect time to bond with the infant. From being in your body the infant knows your
voice and may find it calming.
6. The right dress for the baby
A cute heading-home outfit is irresistible, but you must bear in mind that babies cannot
control their body temperature until they are 6 months old. So, you must carefully dress
your infant. She/he should usually wear the same amount of clothes as you do,
outdoors and indoor. Don’t put on too much on the infant, that will make her sweat and
which will make her feel cold.
7. Car seat installation
Try locating a certified child passenger safety expert online or from friends and family
just a few weeks before the due date. The safety expert will ensure that the car seat is
properly installed in your vehicle. When it is time to go home, ask your spouse to carry
the seat to your hospital room. Here are some things to check before driving the infant
back home.
If there are too many clothes on your baby, then the harness may not fit correctly.
Put your baby in the seat first then buckle him in. After doing that you can put a blanket
on top of your baby if it’s cold outside.
- The harness should be securely fit against the shoulders and the hips.
- At around 45 degrees angle, the seat must be mounted so that the baby is leaning
back; his head must not move back and forth while the car is moving.
- Once you have the seat installed, push hard on it. In any direction, it shouldn’t move
more than an inch.
8. Basics of Baby formula
Some women are unable to breastfeed and others sometimes need to supplement
breastfeeding with formula. Commercial formulas are mostly all the same. The US food
and drug administration oversees baby formulas to guarantee that they are healthy and
provide the most essential nutrients. If you do not live in the US then you should
research a little before buying a baby formula.
Conclusion
Being a first-time mother is a wonderful life experience. If you are unprepared, then
raising a child can be a daunting experience and quite frankly a dangerous one for your
baby. No matter how much you learn about being a great mom, you are bound to make
mistakes and that’s ok. There will be times and situations where you might not know
how to act or what to do but rest assured your mommy instincts will guide you towards
making the right decision. Asking for friends and family to help you with taking care of
the baby is always a great option. You can learn a lot from their experiences. Always
remember to take care of yourself as well and remember to cherish every moment with
the baby.