10 Tips to make caring for a newborn easier

Tips to make caring for a newborn easier

1| Take Care of Your Birth incision

Taking care of a newborn is impossible without caring for the mother! Your birth incision will require care whether you've had a vaginal or cesarean birth. Use postpartum pads to alleviate pain from episiotomies and follow your doctor's instructions for caring for your cesarean incision.

2| Get Out of the House

Plan to leave the house every day or every other day with your baby, or even without him, even if it's just for half an hour. Fresh air and a change of scenery will help improve your mood and combat postpartum depression.

3| Entertain Yourself

Download an app to watch movies and TV shows on your mobile phone. You'll need entertainment, something to keep you awake during late-night feedings. And don't forget entertaining and informative books and magazines.

4| Make Diaper Changes Easier

You'll have to change your baby's diaper multiple times throughout the day and the first few weeks. So, if your house is large or has multiple floors, ensure you have a diaper-changing station on each level or where you'll spend the most time with your baby, like the bedroom and living room. This way, you won't have to get up too many times when you're tired from the effects of childbirth.

5| Seek Help from a Lactation Consultant

Breastfeeding may seem easy and instinctual and doesn't require any help, but trust me, especially if this is your first baby, you will need a lot of support and assistance to ensure your child is getting enough milk and that the latch is correct. Proper latching makes breastfeeding easier and less painful.

6| Bathe Your Baby During the Day

Days with a newborn can feel long and monotonous. Make bathing your baby a midday event, granting you both a quiet twenty minutes filled with bonding and affection. This bath will help your baby nap and break the routine a little.

7 | Carry Your Baby in a Sling

Give your child a sense of security from being held close in a baby carrier while you tackle your various household tasks. This way, you get things done and keep your baby calm at the same time.

8 | Sleep When Your Baby Sleeps

This advice, which you've probably heard from your mom and other women, is among the best pieces of traditional wisdom. A newborn's sleep pattern is irregular, so you must get enough rest to care for your child correctly.

9 | Befriend Other Moms

The community of mothers is one of the most crucial support pillars you'll need during your motherhood journey. Look for other moms who have children around the same age as yours or slightly older so that you can share experiences and insights. It helps to know that you're not alone on this path.

10 | Ignore Unhelpful Advice

You'll hear a lot of advice during this period on caring for your newborn, some good and supported by doctors and caregivers, and some old wives' tales that should be ignored. Don't let these suggestions stress you out or add to your anxiety. Smile and do what you find appropriate and in line with the latest medical recommendations.

Adding these to your list helps make your new responsibilities easier to manage so you can enjoy the beautiful journey of motherhood to the fullest.

 

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