Six Tips for Managing the Roller Coaster Days of a New Baby

Some of my clients are enjoying new family members – whether it’s having a new baby or having a new grandchild! It’s an exciting time for everyone. But can also be stressful and exhausting. The first few months are defiantly going to make a new mom (and dad) feel like they are riding a rollercoaster.

This goes out to all the grandparents: support your kids as they become parents by giving them both space and support.

As to the new moms (and dads) out there: you must learn how to balance caring for your newborn and also taking care of yourself.

One – Try to Eat Healthily

It’s good for you to try to eat as healthy as possible when you have a newborn. Eating healthy ensures that you have the energy that you need to take care of your child.

Up will find that your baby has an endless supply of energy and if you’re not eating well, keeping your energy may be difficult. You will find that you need all the energy that you can get to take care of your child.

It’s also a good idea to make sure that you are getting enough exercise as well so that you keep up with your child.

Two – Get Enough Sleep

Whether you have a newborn or not getting enough sleep is important. However, you must try as much as possible to ensure that you are getting enough sleep. When your baby is sleeping you shouldn’t be doing chores, you should be resting as well. If your baby is like most, you won’t get a chance to rest properly otherwise.

You and your partner can take turns. This way you will both get enough rest. You should research online to find easy to follow advice for new parents..

Three – Talk It Out

Having a newborn can be very overwhelming and it doesn’t help to keep things bottled up. You must make sure that you talk about what you are feeling with someone who understands. If you don’t do this you’ll become extremely depressed over time. This is not good for you and your baby, it will affect how you take care of not just yourself but your newborn as well.

Having postpartum depression or the baby blues is relatively normal and many techniques can be used to deal with this. There’s no need for you to suffer in silence. All you have to do is make sure that you recognize the signs that things are becoming hard for you and then two actions to revert it.

Four – Find Time for Yourself

It’s easy for your care of your baby to be overwhelming and overtake every aspect of your life. However, allowing this to happen does not make you a good parent. When you are a good parent, you also ensure that you are taking care of yourself as well.

Try to get back to your hobbies as soon as you can. It would be even better if this hobby takes you out of the house in some capacity. Just to make sure that you truly get a break.

And even if your mom – or mother-in-law – sometimes annoys you, let them help. They really do want you and your baby to be happy and healthy.

If you don’t make self-care an obvious priority then things may not work in your favor and you will put your health at risk.

Five – Keep Old Friends Make New Ones

Keeping your friendships going is one of the most important things that you can do during this time. Even if your relationship with your friends changes a bit due to your priorities, you must keep them going as they will provide the emotional support you need.

It’s also important that you make new friends as well. Being friends with other parents of newborns is a great idea. You can form these friendships in person, through support groups, or online.

Groups will help you to understand that what you are going through is normal and you will have people that you can use as a sounding board. It will make the entire process of having a newborn a lot less stressful.

Six – Enjoy Your Baby

Your child is a gift, there is little doubt about that. You must make sure that you take every step necessary to take care of them. While you are doing this you must also make sure you take every step necessary to take care of yourself as well.

You must be doing everything necessary to maintain your mental and physical health during this time.

Always remember that if it is necessary, you should get the help you need. There are many people out there who are willing to help and they understand exactly what you are going through.