Are You A New Parent Seven Things You Must Know!
The first few months of life as a new parent can be amazing, yet quite frustrating. If you prepare for these months ahead of time, you will not feel quite as overwhelmed when the time comes to cope. Continue reading to learn a few things that will help you as a new parent.
You will likely get offers of assistance from friends or family. You may be reluctant to take them up on their offers, but you really should. You will need breaks at times and their help might be just what you need to get those breaks. Not allowing yourself some time to recover from everything that you will go through will lead to exhaustion and negative feelings.
Some people that you have previously socialized with are not going to be the most helpful during the first few months. The people that used to expect you to go out and have drinks after work or catch the ball game on Sunday might not understand that you have more important things to worry about during this time. You may need to tell them that you need some time with your family and that you will call them when you are ready to hang out again.
You will not have to live without sleep forever. This is a temporary thing that new parents have a difficult time adjusting to. Realizing that it will not last forever will help you get through this. Take shifts for nighttime feedings and diaper changes and sleep when the baby sleeps and you will get through it. Sure, the housework may not get done as it once did, but you will be able to make it through the day.
Realizing that some of your friendships will not survive the addition to your family will help you get through the loss of some of your friends. Some people do not do well with babies and do not realize what changes you will have to make to care for your baby. Once baby comes, they may not call anymore or invite you out to do the things you used to do.
Babies cry, some of them quite often and for no reason at all. Knowing that it is not something that you are doing or not doing while it is happening will help you get through it. If you do not realize this, you may find yourself feeling down and feeling like a failure. Call a grandparent or close friend if you begin to feel overwhelmed so you can have a little time to catch your breath. This can be one of the most difficult things to deal with as a new parent.
If you have selected a good pediatrician, they will be happy to answer any questions that you might have at any time. They will have an on-call nurse or doctor that will answer at all hours. Call when you have any doubts or questions and you will feel much less stress about what is going on.
Preparing yourself for what is about to happen when you welcome your new baby will help make the transition much easier for everyone in the home. Enjoy the time you have with your baby as these years go by fast and you can never get them back.
