This is your first time ever becoming a mom. The past nine months have been dedicated to planning how life will be when the new human comes home. It can be a terribly exciting phase for your growing family, but at the same time, it can also be overwhelming. It's your first time ever to be a mom and even if you've prepared everything you could, the nerves will still hit you. Relax. It's absolutely normal to get the jitters, especially since you'll be going through this for the very first time.
The good news is that you don't have to do this alone at all. We have some tips for first-time moms so that you are able to navigate through this new phase with a much lighter mood to enjoy the highest of highs and even the lowest of lows.
1. Do not push away your support group.
While you may desire to figure out things on your own and you may well do so, know that you have a supportive group of loved ones ready to help. There are so many people who can guide you in becoming a new mom, including friends and siblings who are already moms and your own mom. You can ask the most basic questions such as pointers on how to help your baby sleep so you can sleep and what flu shots to get. You can also come to them when you're feeling down and you need a mood booster. You might be shy to approach because you think you're taking away their precious time but you don't have to be. We guarantee that they'll be glad to lend a helping hand to a struggling new mom!
You can also consult a group of experts who can help guide you with what needs to be done. For instance, if you are having problems with breastfeeding, you can have a chat with a lactation consultant. If your baby can't seem to stop crying, you can consult with a postpartum doula for techniques on how to calm down your baby and also to listen to your concerns as a first-time mother who might be going through postpartum depression.
Don't give in to the mistake of not asking for help when you need it. Show people that you appreciate their gesture of reaching out by accepting their help. You can even delegate tasks to family members and friends and then thank them for the help they extended.
2. Declutter and organize the house.
You are going to welcome a new human into the house which means you will have to readjust the division of your space. This means new things coming in and old things coming out. Declutter and throw or give away the items you no longer use or need. Opt for multipurpose furniture and quality ergonomic ones that can help you boost work efficiency and that you can move around when not in use. For example, you can easily tuck away an under desk treadmill or move an under desk bike to the corner of the room. Maximize spaces by installing smart storage solutions that would help you organize the items you decide to keep and those that are coming in for the baby.
3. Do not be lenient with your visitor policy.
There will be friends and family who will be excited to meet the little one even before you popped it out of the oven. As soon as you get home, they might already be there to welcome you or as soon as they heard the news, they might already be planning play dates in their calendar. You have to be strict with the visitor policy. You have to be honest that you can't handle guests all the time especially when you are adjusting to taking care of a new baby. At this time, we are also on the cusp of a pandemic so there are health issues also involved. Your friends and family will surely understand as long as you communicate to them properly your predicament.
4. Have a stock of baby care essentials.
You don't want to be caught off guard when there's an emergency. Not all stores are open in the middle of the night when your baby needs a new diaper. You need to have at least a week worth of stock of baby essentials. These include care items for yourself such as pain relievers, ice packs, peri bottles, witch hazel pads, sitz batz, and more. You just gave birth so your body is recovering from the surgery and the many different changes it is going through at the moment. After you've taken care of yourself, then you can tend to your baby at your full capacity. When the baby is hungry or feeling the need to poop, make sure you're the girl scout and you're loaded with sterilized bottles, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream. For feeding essentials, you must also have nipple cream, burp cloths, and a water bottle. And having snacks is also a must for everyone on duty to take care of the baby!
5. Talk to new moms or form a group of first-time moms you can connect with.
You would love the company of first-time moms like you. You would feel that you are not alone in going through the many struggles you might be experiencing for the very first time ever. You'd find friends in similar circumstances and also get pointers from how they dealt with problems in the past cascading to the present. You will find inspiration, drive, and company from fellow moms, for sure! You'll also get recommendations on where they got what for their babies.
6. Allot personal time to destress and relax.
Because there is already a new human relying on you, all the more reason that you have to take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself entails taking the time for a break to relax. Every day, you should still dedicate a few minutes to yourself. It doesn't have to be grand. It can be as simple as having time for skincare or reading a book that will help you nourish your mind while you take care of the baby.
