You’ve gone through a heroic nine-month journey of pregnancy, birth and delivery. The baby is home and now you can relax. But where do you go from here?
For new parents in particular much of what happens next will be a crash course in parenting. Through a mixture of trial and error, gut instinct and a little bit of google you’ll navigate the road that all new parents must follow. There’s a lot to learn in a short period of time. So we have put together a few trusted tips about three common issues that all new moms and dads face: Breastfeeding, postpartum health and sleep.
1. Breastfeeding
For new mothers breastfeeding might be one of the biggest challenges you face. Contrary to popular belief, breastfeeding does not always come naturally. In fact, researchers at UC Davis Medical Center surveyed 418 first-time mothers and three days after giving birth, 92 percent of them reported having problems with breast-feeding.
Skills in how to hold and position your baby at the breast, how to achieve a good latch, and other breastfeeding techniques may need to be taught. This is normal for new moms. The difference between the expectation about what breastfeeding is supposed to be and the reality of what it is can be a major reason that many mothers stop breastfeeding within the first two weeks postpartum. But sometimes all it takes is a little bit of help.
What you can do:
Get some help from a lactation consultant. Lactation consultants are certified specialists that assist mothers with all things breastfeeding. From the smallest problems to the toughest they’ll provide personalized 1-on-1 advice to help guide you through any issues you might be facing. It’s important to get in touch with a lactation consultant as soon as possible, ideally within the first week or two. If you have any concerns about breastfeeding speak to your doctor or OBGYN who can put you in touch with a lactation consultant.
2. Postpartum awareness
Postpartum depression and postpartum blues are two very real problems that many women will face after the birth of their child. The body has just gone through an extraordinary transformation and not unsurprisingly it can take time for hormone levels to return to normal. Most new moms experience something called the baby blues after childbirth. Its symptoms include:
- Mood swings
- Crying spells
- Anxiety, feeling overwhelmed
- Difficulty sleeping
The postpartum blues typically last up to two weeks.
However, if these symptoms persist into week 3 and week 4, it might be postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is accompanied by further symptoms of depressed mood or severe mood swings, symptoms of guilt, difficulty bonding with your baby, a loss of appetite or intense irritability. If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor immediately.
What you can do:
- Be sure to attend your early postpartum checkup (about 1 week after the birth) to see your OBGYN.
- Make yourself a priority. Let yourself have a mini break from taking care of the baby. Have a shower, read a book, catch up on your favorite TV show.
- Share the workload. Ask your partner, close family or friends to help with babysitting.
- Eat well. Stick to a diet that’s high in fiber, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. A well-rounded diet is good for both you and your baby.
- Pay attention to the signs of postpartum depression as mentioned above
3. Sleep
Every new parent expects to lose sleep with a newborn in the house. But new research suggests that things might be worse than first thought. A study published in May 2019 suggests that sleep loss after the first child can plague both mom and dad for up to six years. Sleep deprivation can lead to a loss of concentration, fatigue, anxiety and other health issues. So, it’s important to make sure that you get as much sleep as possible.
What you can do:
- Sleep when your baby sleeps. This means grabbing a nap at odd times. But sleep will be in short supply, so every little bit helps.
- Share the burden with your partner by taking turns to wake up with the baby.
- Accept that your house may be dirty and messy for a while and that’s okay. The same is true for your to-do list. Put it aside in favor of sleep.
- Don’t discount the importance of sleep. Remember, sleep is a medical requirement, not a luxury.
Unfortunately, babies don’t come with instruction manuals. So, as you start the journey of taking care of a newborn over these next few weeks there will be many things that need to be learned along the way. Mistakes will be made and that’s okay. Be kind to yourself, ask for help when needed and remember to speak to your doctor about any concerns you may have, no matter how small.
References:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20190305/new-parents-can-expect-to-lose-sleep-for-6-years#1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK52688/