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Soon after the baby arrives, all your energy and attention will be focused on
the care and comfort of the baby. You may consciously want to focus on the baby
and not pay much attention to taking care of yourself. Inspite of your busy
schedule you will have to make time to take care of yourself. Your health both
physical and psychological is undergoing a healing process after delivery and
you will have to pay attention to it. Once the baby has arrived all your family
and friends will want to visit you and your newborn baby. Having too many
visitors just after delivery, with the new baby can be very stressful and
extremely difficult to handle, whether in the hospital or at home. It would be
best if you could control the number of visitors you have, by asking friends and
family to space their visits.
During the initial weeks after delivery, it is best to accept all the help you
can get in doing the various chores around the house. It would be ideal if you
could get your mother, mother-in-law, any relative or friend to stay with you
for at least the first month. This will definitely ease the pressure off you and
will help you get used to having the baby as part of your routine. The first few
weeks can be overwhelming and some new mothers just cannot cope with the
pressures of having a new baby. If you have a relative or a friend staying with
you, the pressure on will reduce considerably as they will pitch in. You may
even find some free time for yourself while they are taking care of the baby.
Here are a few tips to new mothers to cope with those initial days:
* Take breaks from taking care of the baby as and when you can. When you do so,
don't feel guilty, as it is necessary for your mental and physical well being.
* Have your meals regularly.
* Make sure you include fresh fruits and green vegetables in your meals.
* Use pre-prepared foods to reduce time and energy spent on cooking.
* If friends and family are willing to take over some of your chores, allow them
to do so.
* Your night's sleep will be disturbed in the initial days. So learn to sleep
whenever your baby sleeps.
* This is a period of great emotional upheaval. Talk to people who can help and
will support you - mother, friend, doctor or anyone who will give you a patient
hearing.
* If there is a local support group for new mothers, it would be a good idea to
join it or at least attend a few meetings.
The important thing is to find time to rest and relax. As a new mother you must
not think about anything other than the baby and yourself. Try to enjoy this new
status to the fullest, despite the difficulties.
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