Home from the Hospital
You’re home from the hospital with your new baby. Now what? Bringing your baby home for the first time can bring on a rush of emotions – joy, fear, anxiety and confusion, to name a few. It’s an experience unlike any other, and many new moms aren’t prepared for what those first few weeks will bring. Sleep deprivation, stress and feelings of exhaustion and being overwhelmed can make the time difficult, but knowing what to expect can help to mitigate these feelings. Here are a few tips for how to navigate through those first few weeks and make the transition from pregnant to new mom smooth for both you and your baby.
- Relax your expectations. Things might be a little hectic or off schedule at first; it’s okay to let things slide. Don’t worry about keeping up with the laundry or dishes for a while – just enjoy your baby. Everything else will get taken care of when things calm down.
- Accept help. If someone offers to help you, take it! Let them do the dishes or take out the trash, or hold the baby so that you can take a minute or two for yourself. It’ll make you feel good, and make the helper feel useful as well.
- Put visitors to work. Don’t be shy about asking for help. If you need to get something done and want them to hold the baby, just ask. Or, if you need them to do something for you, make your request – they’re there to see you as well as the baby.
- Take care of yourself. You’ve been through a lot with labor and delivery – don’t forget to take care of yourself. Take frequent naps, eat a balanced meal and drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are breastfeeding.
Coming home from the hospital with a new baby can be overwhelming, but with these tips you can make the time much more enjoyable.
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