The early days with a newborn baby

Although there is nothing more wonderful then welcoming a new member of the family into your life, the combination of sleepless nights, hormones and just adjusting to becoming a parent can be a lot to deal with.  We asked some of our friends their top tips for dealing with the early days with a newborn baby.  Here’s what they told us:

The early days with a newborn baby

Louise from Scamps said don’t worry about the housework, it can wait.  It’s more important to bond with your new baby and make sure you get enough sleep. http://www.scamps.co.nz/

Stacey from Art Out Loud’s top tips were to limit your visitors for the first month – this is a special time for you, your partner and your baby to bond, don’t worry about the housework, organise supermarket grocery deliveries, prepare frozen meals in the weeks leading up to your due date, don’t be afraid to ask for help (time to have a shower or a sleep). www.artoutloudnz.co.nz

Rachael from pressie box suggests you take each day as it comes and try not to have to higher expectations of yourself when it comes to be out and about and the dreaded housework.  If you have a friend with a newborn, pop around and hang out a load of washing, or let us hand deliver a wee treat for her to put her feet up with: www.thepressiebox.co.nz

Sian from cobalt heights reminds us don’t try to be super mum. The housework can (and will) wait. Spend those first few days bonding with baby and resting where you can. If you have a visitor ask you “do you want anything? ” Say “YES”. Even if you don’t need it right now milk,coffee,bread will never go astray in those first few weeks, and it will make your visitor feel like they are helping you out.  http://www.cobaltheights.co.nz/

Jackie from baby life and cute thinks that you should:

1. Sleep whenever you can. I know it feels so weird sleeping during the day and you might have ideas about doing ‘things’, but don’t! Just sleep when baby is sleeping – you deserve it.

2. Do what feels right for you. Don’t let others pressure you into doing something that you don’t want to do or doesn’t feel right. You are the Mum, you are the Boss.

3. Get help early if you need it. If you are feeling low or sad, talk to your midwife, doctor or Plunket nurse. Post natal depression is so common but not talked about enough. The sooner you get help the faster you feel better.

Jackie Procter – www.2cute.co.nz  www.babylifemagazine.co.nz

Kelly from Ecobots suggests that you just take time to enjoy your little one. Don’t worry about visitors, there’s plenty of time to meet your new arrival. Instead concentrate on getting to know your baby, and relaxing and enjoying them. Everything else can come later. http://www.ecobots.co.nz

Sarah from Thingamajigs top tips are to accept help whenever it’s offered, however small.  Make up and freeze meals before the baby is born (you’ll appreciate not having to cook but still be able to eat balanced meals, rather than live off takeaways).  But hey, have takeaways too if you want to.  Don’t worry about the house, if you manage to get a wash on then fantastic, but don’t expect to be able to dry it, iron it and put it away on the same day or even week!  Remember, it really won’t last for ever. You and your baby are learning and it will get easier in time. www.thingamajigs.co.nz

Time to learn

Having a new baby is a big change, especially if this is your first baby.  Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to do too much in the early days with a newborn baby.  Really all that actually matters is you and your partner bonding with your baby and becoming a family, and getting the little things right like feeding. If you spend a day in your dressing gown, or without doing any housework for a week, it really doesn’t actually matter.

 

Take help where you can

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.  Friends and family will probably be all to happy to help out with meals and errands for you, even getting someone to make you a cup of tea when they come round to visit makes a big difference.  There are also some great organisations that can help out.  Bellyful can help out by providing a meal for you and your family in the early days.  Your midwife and well child nurse should be able to help with specific help in your area too.  The la leche league can help out with breastfeeding issues, and if you live in the Dunedin area there’s also the fantastic Breast Room for help in this area.  If you feel you need extra help in any area in those early days, don’t suffer in silence, ask for help, there’s lots out there.

Having a newborn baby can be hard work, tiring and difficult to begin with, but try not to expect too much to begin with, and enjoy your new arrival, they don’t stay that small for very long.