Being a parent to a new baby can be hard. The joy you get from coos and cuddles is mixed in with the hard work of infant care. It’s normal to feel frustrated and exhausted.
If your baby cries all the time or won’t sleep, parenting is even harder. It’s very important to take care of yourself by leaning on family and friends – and your pediatrician – for help during these early days of parenthood.
Just remember, you are not alone. Here is some information that can help.
Baby care
Crying is normal for babies: Within the first six weeks of life, newborns typically cry for two to three hours every day. Most newborns begin crying a lot at two weeks of age and do so for about two months.
Tips for soothing: To assist your infant relax, you may need to try a few different things. Try holding them, feeding them, swaddling them, gently rocking them, or singing to them as a place to start.
It may take some trial and error to determine what is best for your kid. Before something works, it can be necessary to try it repeatedly.
Crying to sleep: If your baby is having trouble falling asleep, try comforting them by placing them on their back in a secure sleeping area (nothing in the bed, besides the baby on a firm sleep surface with a tight-fitting sheet, without any blankets, toys, pillows or other bedding).
Many parents are astonished by how rapidly babies will cry themselves to sleep, even if other babies cry for a very long time.
What if the baby won’t sleep?
What if the child won’t go to sleep? Regular sleep cycles don’t start in babies until they are roughly six months old. Some only get one or two hours of sleep at a time. What to do if your baby has problems falling asleep is suggested here.
What about sibling rivalry?
If you have other children at home, don’t be surprised if there are occasional outbursts or aggressiveness as they get used to the new baby. Be clear with your children about how to treat the new baby.
Praise them for being good helpers. Have plenty of healthy distractions on hand for them and do your best to control your own temper when things don’t go as planned.
Self care
Try to get some rest yourself. It’s important for you to take a break. Try sleeping when the baby is sleeping. Or ask your partner or another caring adult to watch your baby while you take a break.
Put a stop to the need to be perfect. Remember that there isn’t any one “right” method to raise a child. Styles and methods can differ. All parents also require assistance and support.
Connect with others. Even though you might be worn out most of the time, talking to other adults might be beneficial. To stay in touch with friends and family, try using video chats or social media.
Use your “helpers.” Encourage your baby’s older siblings to be your special assistants so they may assist in ways that are suitable for their own age. Involve them as much as you can.
Seek help if you need it. After having a baby, it’s typical to experience depressive or gloomy feelings. You may be more susceptible to postpartum depression if you had a history of depression before to the birth of your child. You can get assistance from your pediatrician or by calling the Postpartum Support International toll-free Help Line.
Find a parent group. It could be beneficial to discuss the situation with other mothers in your area or online. It can be a huge relief to share your story with someone else going through the same thing.
Your pediatrician is here to help. Asking for guidance is never a bad idea. Your baby’s requirements as well as what you’re going through will be understood by your pediatrician.
Things that won’t help
Alcohol isn’t the answer. It is unsafe to look after a baby when inebriated. Your judgment and capacity to safely care for your infant are both compromised by alcohol consumption. Make plans for your baby’s care at this period if you plan to drink too much.
The pump and dump myth. After consuming alcohol, pumping or expressing your milk, then dumping it (often known as “pumping and dumping”) does not significantly lower the quantity of alcohol in your milk. If alcohol is still present in your circulation, breast milk will also contain alcohol. The amount of alcohol in your breast milk decreases over time as your blood alcohol level does.
Timing is important. If you’re going to occasionally drink alcohol, it’s preferable to do it just after pumping or nursing your baby rather than before. Two hours after your last drink, you’re OK to breastfeed or pump breast milk. In this manner, less alcohol will enter your baby’s system and your body will have more time to eliminate it.
Marijuana and breastfeeding.
When pregnant or nursing, marijuana usage is never safe in any amount. Via your breastmilk, the toxins from the marijuana can reach your baby, and your capacity to care for them may be compromised.
Pregnancy and alcohol. If you are thinking about having another baby, remember that no amount of alcohol during pregnancy is risk-free. No kind of alcohol during pregnancy is risk-free. And there is no time during pregnancy when alcohol consumption is risk-free
