Tips for Transitioning into Motherhood
First
time motherhood is a monumental experience that can be filled with
anticipation, joy, and amazement. Luckily, the long nine months of pregnancy
allow a mom-to-be to address several of her questions and concerns before the
baby even arrives.
Some
decisions should be made prior to the baby's arrival, including:
1.
Cloth diapering versus disposable - For
cloth diapering, there are some start up costs that should be noted, including
different sized diaper covers and washable inserts; for disposable diapering,
moms should have enough diapers and wipes for the first few weeks of baby's
life, but remember that certain brands will work better for each baby so try
not to stock up too far in advance in case baby needs a different diaper brand
2.
Formula versus breast feeding - Every
mother has the right to decide how to feed her baby. It has generally been
believed that breastfeeding
was better for a child, but formula feeding is just as healthy. For
breastfeeding, there are several educational resources including lactation
specialists at the hospital and breastfeeding classes a woman can take to learn
the proper way to get her baby to latch on.
Baby
formulas are available in several different varieties and the baby may prefer
one type to another due to sensitivity, taste and even allergies; moms can
contact formula companies and request different samples to have on hand when
baby is here and ready to eat; many hospitals and doctor's offices can also
provide formula samples until moms find the one that works best for their baby.
3.
Cord blood banking – Planned for
before delivery day with a private storage facility, umbilical cord
blood banking is where the cord blood
is collected after birth and stored for potential use in treating a possible
future illnesses. The medical staff in the delivery room should be made aware
that this option has been chosen by the parents so they can plan to perform the
collection when the time comes.
The
first few weeks of baby's life is an adjustment period for mom and baby. For a
mother used to a full night's sleep, the interruptions at night to feed the
baby can take its toll. Luckily, there are several things that a mom can do to
regain her strength and avoid suffering from sleep deprivation:
1.
Sleep when the baby sleeps! A new
mother should relax and avoid the temptation to do housework or other chores
when the baby naps. Mom can snuggle into bed and take a nap; even a short
amount of time resting can do wonders for their energy level
2. Proper Nutrition – A mom should make
sure she is eating and drinking enough, especially if breastfeeding, to help keep her energy
up. Making it a priority to have small meals throughout the day and always keep
a water bottle handy are great ways for a mother to ensure her health is taken
care of.
3.
Accept offers of help – Many times,
family and friends want to help a new mom take care of her home and newborn to
help during post-delivery recovery. Some mothers may feel reluctant to accept
the help either out of embarrassment or the feeling that, as the mother, she
needs to be able to handle it all. For a new mother, recovery time is important
and she can learn that her feelings of exhaustion will not be forever;
accepting help with house chores or babysitting will allow a mother some time
to rest and relax.
A
new mom should know that it is normal to have some emotional ups and downs,
known commonly as the “baby blues”. A mother has just gone through a major
change and will need time to heal. However, if a mom ever feels like her moods
are just too much to handle, she should feel comfortable asking her doctor
about postpartum depression. With a great support system of family, friends and medical
partners, a mother will breeze into motherhood.
This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active
writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood,
prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche. If you
have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by
visiting her blog, Moore
From Katie
or her twitter @moorekm26.
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