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1. Sleep when your baby sleeps – The housework or catching up on East Enders or American Idol can wait. Sleep when your baby sleeps and you will feel less exhausted.
2. Sleep and feed routine for babies - Learn your baby’s sleeping and feeding routine rather than
trying to force one on him/her. I found that this helped me to understand my daughter’s sleeping and feeding pattern, which was very different to what the expensive baby book I bought said. It also allowed me to plan my day better as I knew her routine.
3. Your baby’s poop is your best friend. I have never in my life been so obsessed with one person’s bowel movements. Your baby’s poop tells you all you need to know about their well being. It can alert you to feeding problems, digestive problems or illnesses. Study it!
4. Treasure the milestones – Enjoy each milestone your baby goes through. Don’t compare your baby milestones to another, as every baby is unique they grow and learn at their own pace.
5. Restrict visitors until ready – Don’t feel guilty asking people to wait a few weeks before you start accepting visitors. You and your baby need this bonding time together and to get into a routine that works for both of you. If they offer to help, ask them to help you cook or do some housework.
6. Breast feeding - If you choose to breastfeed, try to do it for as long as you can. I chose to do it for 16 months but that was a personal choice. It will most definitely hurt at first but once you get the hang of it you’ll breeze through it. Don’t forget to get some nipple cream, it’s a lifesaver for those first few weeks of breast feeding.If you can’t breast feed for medical or personal reasons don’t listen to those ‘mean mummies’ passing their judgments. Your baby needs a happy and calm mummy not an anxious one.
7. Eat Right for breast feeding - Eating right during this time is very important for your own well being and your breast milk. All the nutrients are passed to your baby through your milk.
8. Baby Blues after birth – The baby blues is not a myth. I actually think it’s normal in the first few weeks after giving birth. Your body has gone through major changes, your hormones are out of sync, your labour was exhausting, who wouldn’t feel down! Talk to other new mums as they’re probably going through the same thing. If the feeling prolongs and you feel you’re not coping don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor or health visitor, as it could lead to post-natal depression.
9. Get out of the house – When you feel ready, leave the house at least 2-3 times a week and go to classes, coffee mornings or for a stroll in the park. I attended baby massage classes which helped my daughter to sleep better and with her constipation. I also went to baby sensory classes and weekly sing along classes at my local children’s centres. It was great fun and something to look forward to as I would see the same mums there every week.
10.Get Fit - If you can, Get Fit. I did Buggy Fit classes in our local park, with other mums and our babies in buggies, with a personal trainer. It was the best fun ever plus you were also exercising. I also signed up to aqua aerobics with another new mum and we would take it in turns to look after the babies whilst the other attended the session and then swap for the next class.
11. Don’t forget those Kegel exercises – It’s probably too much information but kegel exercises after birth are important in stopping leakage down under when you cough, sneeze or laugh, if you know what I mean. The exercises help to prevent pelvic floor problems by discreetly strengthening your pelvic floor muscles. Do it at least 3 times a day. Ask your doctor or health visitor for advice on the correct way to do them.
12.Taking the pill after birth – Contraception, Contraception, Contraception. If you don’t, you might find yourself pregnant again at your 6 weeks check up. Funnily enough this actually happened to my friend, she was in total shock.
13. Include your partner – Dads can feel left out once a new baby comes along so don’t forget to include them in nappy changes, feeding times and general play.
14.The Perfect Mum - Don’t feel like you have to be the ‘perfect mum’, that’s too much pressure for anyone. As they say ‘perfection is the enemy of greatness’ so do your best and ask for help and advice when needed.
15.Returning to work after maternity – If you have to return to work after your maternity leave end stake it as a positive step for you and your baby. We’d all love to stay at home with our babies but it’s not always financially possible. Remember you are mum, wife/partner, sister, aunty, work colleague and friend so don’t lose touch with the other dimensions of who you are. You should nurture all the different facets of your womanhood, which can include your work life. A happy mummy makes a happy baby, so do whatever makes you happy.
© By Bukky Efuns for Queen Of The Naija Blog 2015