So, You Think You're Ready To Have A Baby?
11:17 PM
Things are all quiet right now, and not just because it’s the night before Christmas. Your baby is tucked safely away in the womb, lulling you into a false sense of security, silently minding its own business. It won’t be long, however, before it comes kicking and screaming into the world, demanding that you treat it as some sort of king, tending to its every need.
But fear not. With some prudent planning, having a baby can actually turn out to be a lot of fun. You want to be a winning parent, and you shall be.
Grab The Baby-Rearing Manual From The Hospital
You probably already know how to raise a kid from scratch. But there will be times during those first few months when you’ll suddenly panic and wonder whether you’re doing everything right. Having that cringingly written baby manual from the hospital can actually be a lifesaver in times of panic. Yes, you know not to drop your baby on the floor, but what if it screams all night for a week or has a weird rash? Is that normal? The baby manual can be a godsend in troubling moments like that. Don't be hesitant to search for answers and/or see your doctor about any of your concerns
Make Yourself Comfortable
There’s a lot of debate about which is the best maternity pillow out there. But suffice to say, you’ll need one to to help with finding a more comfortable position. Having to support all that weight on the front of your body can take its toll on your back, hips and shoulders, so proper ergonomic support is recommended. You’ll also want something that can help you make the most of your increasingly sleepless nights, whether what's keeping you up is the baby or your own worries and fears. Also certain exercises help with sleep, mood and after baby recovery. So make sure you get that heart rate up and get moving at least 30 minutes a day.
Dealing With Overwhelming Visitors
Sometimes it can be overwhelming and maybe even annoying all the attention you and baby will get when you bring a new human being into the world. Everybody wants to come over and google the baby: it can be the last thing you want when you’re exhausted. If visitors get to overwhelming its oaky to not answer the phone or door, maybe even turn all those visitors into something positive and let them hold the baby while you take a nap or shower. Also, accepting their help will be a godsend. So let people help you clean your house and give you mini breaks. It’s not fair that friends and family only get to enjoy all the fun parts of having a new baby in the family without sharing in some of the responsibility.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming and maybe even annoying all the attention you and baby will get when you bring a new human being into the world. Everybody wants to come over and google the baby: it can be the last thing you want when you’re exhausted. If visitors get to overwhelming its oaky to not answer the phone or door, maybe even turn all those visitors into something positive and let them hold the baby while you take a nap or shower. Also, accepting their help will be a godsend. So let people help you clean your house and give you mini breaks. It’s not fair that friends and family only get to enjoy all the fun parts of having a new baby in the family without sharing in some of the responsibility.
You’ll Cry Over Everything For The First Couple Of Weeks
Scary Mommy is quite clear about this: you’ll cry over everything for the first couple of weeks with your newborn. You’ll be blown away by how cute your baby’s hands are, how small their bum is and so on. You’ll also find yourself getting upset about random events in your life. The memory of the death of your great Aunt Ermentrude might suddenly surface one day, causing you to burst out in buckets of tears. Just embrace this special time in your life as a new mother and know its okay to have all these strong feelings.
Your Friends Won’t Help You, Mostly
At your baby shower, your friends will offer to help you in any way they can but sometimes being a new mommy can feel lonely especially in the middle of the night or even the middle of the day when all your friends have full time day jobs. Friends have good intentions and mean well with all the promises to be there for you but the reality is somewhat different. Promises made at the beginning of a pregnancy are very rarely kept in the first few months. Just remember to bluntly ask for help when ever you need it. Schedule a time that works for you and your friend to come help out with the baby. Accept help when ever offered to take some of the stress off for a moment. Don't be too proud to let someone takeover the household responsibilities. Having a baby is hard and expensive and its not all sunshine and rainbows but If you go about it with an open mind, low expectations and some some planning to set yourself up for success it can be one of the best experiences of your life.
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