Bringing Baby Home – How to Survive the First Weeks

You have the nursery set up, bassinet at the ready and a cupboard full of the tiniest clothes you have ever seen. One of the best parts of preparing for a new baby is creating a space in your home for them. You think they are ready but you may have neglected to consider some of the most important things. Babies are all consuming and this can be overwhelming when you are a new mother. It does not need to be and there are many things you can do to make the transition to motherhood as smooth as possible.

Food is one of the most important things to consider. Some women are able to cook and freeze vast quantities of meals prior to their birth and can call on this supply after their baby is born. Some have friends or family who will prepare and drop off meals in the first few weeks. Others utilize food delivery services or frozen meals. Whatever you do it is important to have a supply of good food that requires little or no preparation by you. Babies have a habit of needing your attention when you are in the middle of preparing dinner so not having to worry about meals is a life saver. Snacks are just as important. Nursing your baby and recovering from the birth require a lot of extra energy so healthy, easy snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit, vegetable sticks and healthy dips such as hummus and guacamole are perfect. You also need to ensure that you drink lots of water so a good rule is to drink water whenever you nurse your baby.

Sleep should never be underestimated, particularly in the first few weeks. You really do need to sleep when your baby sleeps. There may be a million other things you think you need to do but unless you give your body the time to recover from pregnancy and birth and adjust to the broken sleep you will hit a wall sooner or later. Get help with the housework, whether this is your partner, friends and family or a paid cleaner. You can not do everything and your main priority is caring for your baby and yourself. If you can not sleep take the time to rest by reading a book, having a warm drink or enjoying the peace and quiet.

If you find you are entertaining a constant stream of visitors let people know that you need to rest and prioritize who you would like to visit and when. It may be very important that your grandmother meets her first great-grandchild but you do not need to open your door to every acquaintance who wants to see the baby. A phone call or email letting people know when you are able to see them should eliminate most surprise guests. Those who turn up unexpectedly can be gently turned away by somebody else opening the door and explaining that you and the baby are sleeping. Most people will accept this without being offended.

Get a good sling. Babies who are carried are more settled and it is far easier to carry a baby in a sling than to navigate a pram. Pouch slings, ring slings, wraps and mei tais are all good options. It is best to avoid the more commercially available structured carriers because they are less supportive of both you and your baby.

If you find you are not coping get help. Western culture fails to nurture mothers to the same extent as other cultures and this is unfair. You are not a failure if you still need help with the housework and cooking for a few months after your baby is born. It is also really important that if you feel completely overwhelmed, depressed or feel you may harm your baby you seek the help of your doctor. Post Natal Depression is not uncommon and is much more than just the baby blues and should be treated.

Although most babies have periods of being unsettled if you feel that your baby is not feeding well, is uncomfortable or cries frequently for no apparent reason you should have it checked by a doctor, child health nurse or lactation consultant. Many issues such as reflux and tongue tie can cause problems but are easily treated once diagnosed.

Do not forget to take the time to enjoy your new baby. The days and weeks go by so fast in a blur of feeding, nappies and sleepless nights. It is important to stop occasionally and just enjoy the sight, sound and smell of them. Before you know it they are running off playing and you wonder where the time has gone.

Jenni Parker is a freelance writer and mother of four beautiful daughters aged 8, 3, 2 and 6 months.