Motherhood is as terrifying as it is exciting. Nothing will ever be the same once you’ve given birth to your little one, and while these changes will certainly be for the better, it’s still a lot that you will have to adapt to at once. How do you go through the challenges of motherhood when you don’t have any experience? Here are four tips to help you navigate through your new life as a mother.
Reach out to your support system.
Sometimes parenthood feels like it’s you, your husband, and your baby against the world. This can’t be further from the truth. You have your family, friends, and in-laws that would all be happy to lend a hand if you needed it. Have you been dying for a full night’s sleep? Ask your family to take over baby feeding duty while you take your well deserved eight hours. Are you running out of diapers but can’t leave your baby alone while your husband is at work? A friend can buy and drop your groceries off for you. Your support system is there to help you get up when you stumble, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Establish a routine.
Establishing a routine will be very beneficial for both you and your baby. A routine invites a sense of structure and predictability in your everyday life, which is critical when transitioning into a new life stage like you are right now. It can also help you build confidence in your ability as a new parent, which can in turn ease your postpartum anxiety.
On the other end, routines can help babies and toddlers feel less anxious and grow more independent. Your child will be looking to you for answers about everything in the world. By establishing a routine, he or she will be able to know what’s coming next and anticipate what he or she needs to do. Soon, your child will be confidently taking initiative in the routine you’ve set up.
Work with your husband.
Your marriage is a partnership, and that is something you and your husband should never forget. Your husband should always be your first support system as you raise and take care of your child. First, make sure that you have a conversation with him about what roles and duties you will both take in your baby’s life. This lessens any miscommunications or unsaid expectations that you will both have with each other. The sooner you have this conversation, the better.
In addition to the initial conversation about the roles you two will have as parents, make sure to also check in on each other every once in a while. Maybe the duties that you have both assigned to each other is better off done by the other person. Learn about each other’s strengths and weaknesses and learn from them as you go along, just like how a normal partnership would.
Watch your mental health.
Postpartum depression and anxiety is very common among new mothers. In one of our previous articles, we briefly touched on ‘baby blues’ and postpartum depression. This is a form of depression caused by the changes that come with welcoming a baby into your life, whether they be hormonal, financial, emotional, physical, or social changes. A few examples of the symptoms one might experience include crying spells, loss of appetite, mood swings, and disrupted sleep.
Getting such a condition is scary for many new mothers. Unfortunately, they may also go through feelings of guilt or shame upon being diagnosed with postpartum depression. They may feel that they are being terrible parents for feeling this way. But there is no shame in getting the baby blues or postpartum depression. In fact, the baby blues affect around half of all mothers after delivery. About 15% of these people develop postpartum depression.
Professional help is highly recommended during this point in your life. A therapist can help you work through your emotions and look for ways to cope with your postpartum depression. As you continue to raise and take care of your baby, make sure to find the time to address your own needs as well.