Are you likely to deliver very soon? Read on to know what to expect in the first week of the birth of your baby. Breastfeeding, soothing a crying baby, surviving without much sleep and tackling any other unforeseen issues related to a newborn baby require skills which come only with practice. Planning and preparation which most of us do before the birth of our baby like assembling a crib, stocking up of clothes and diapers for the little one are usually of not any great help in handling the situation when the baby actually arrives. The first week can be especially challenging for the new parents. Some of the challenges which parents have to cope during the initial weeks include: In this articleInadequate SleepSoothing the BabyFeeding Routine of a NewbornBreastfeeding a Newborn Inadequate Sleep Newborns sleep a lot immediately after birth. Most infants sleep for almost 20 hours in a day but not at a stretch. They will sleep for anything between one to three hours at a time. Hence, parents need to be awake to attend to the baby whenever she wakes up. Parents who easily sleep anytime and anywhere will not be short of sleep in such situations. They will be able to sleep whenever the baby sleeps and get adequate rest. However, in case of those accustomed to sleeping only at a particular time and place, a hungry or an infant who is wide awake can cause sleep deprivation. In such situation parents must seek the support of family members to take turns at looking after the baby. In case no relative is available to help out, the parents should take turns in looking after the baby. The new mother should be allowed to sleep comfortably for at least for seven to eight hours a day with the baby being brought to her only for nursing. Soothing the Baby The transition from a cozy womb to an external environment makes most infants crave to be held and soothed. Swaddling, swaying, holding her and letting her suck on fingers are all reflexes which can soothe an infant. However, not all of these will work alike on for all babies. To become calm and quiet whilst one baby would prefer to be taken out for a walk another would be contended simply by sucking the parent’s thumb. With practice and over a period of time parents will be able to identify what is most useful to soothe and comfort a newborn baby when she is upset. Feeding Routine of a Newborn Newborns normally require a feed every one to four hours. Hence the new mother must be prepared for middle of the night feedings too. It is important to lie down or sit comfortably on the couch, rocker, or bed for feeding an infant. Maintaining a correct posture is essential while feeding since this activity will take up a lot of time of the new mother initially. Breastfeeding a Newborn For most new mothers breastfeeding happens naturally. However, it may take some time for both the mother and infant to get used to breastfeeding properly. It is not possible to master breastfeeding from day one. Adjusting to a new baby and feeding her efficiently will take some practice and time. A new mother should be relaxed while nursing. Breastfeeding issues are bound to be there initially. Rather than getting frustrated and being discouraged it is best to make efforts to overcome these issues and provide her newborn with nature’s best gift- the breast milk. Most hospitals nowadays have a dedicated lactation consultants who can help new mothers cope with breastfeeding efficiently. Taking the help of an expert will be useful for the new mother to learn about latching, proper positioning, and milk supply. Most importantly it will boost self confidence which will make breastfeeding an enjoyable experience.
Are you likely to deliver very soon? Read on to know what to expect in the first week of the birth of your baby. Breastfeeding, soothing a
crying baby, surviving without much sleep and tackling any other unforeseen issues related to a newborn baby require skills which come only with practice. Planning and preparation which most of us do before the birth of our baby like assembling a crib, stocking up of clothes and diapers for the little one are usually of not any great help in handling the situation when the baby actually arrives.
The first week can be especially challenging for the new parents. Some of the challenges which parents have to cope during the initial weeks include:
Inadequate Sleep
Newborns sleep a lot immediately after birth. Most infants sleep for almost 20 hours in a day but not at a stretch. They will sleep for anything between one to three hours at a time. Hence, parents need to be awake to attend to the baby whenever she wakes up. Parents who easily sleep anytime and anywhere will not be short of sleep in such situations. They will be able to sleep whenever the baby sleeps and get adequate rest.
However, in case of those accustomed to sleeping only at a particular time and place, a hungry or an infant who is wide awake can cause sleep deprivation. In such situation parents must seek the support of family members to take turns at looking after the baby. In case no relative is available to help out, the parents should take turns in looking after the baby. The new mother should be allowed to sleep comfortably for at least for seven to eight hours a day with the baby being brought to her only for nursing.
Soothing the Baby
The transition from a cozy womb to an external environment makes most infants crave to be held and soothed. Swaddling, swaying, holding her and letting her suck on fingers are all reflexes which can soothe an infant. However, not all of these will work alike on for all babies.
To become calm and quiet whilst one baby would prefer to be taken out for a walk another would be contended simply by sucking the parent’s thumb. With practice and over a period of time parents will be able to identify what is most useful to soothe and comfort a newborn baby when she is upset.
Feeding Routine of a Newborn
Newborns normally require a feed every one to four hours. Hence the new mother must be prepared for middle of the night feedings too. It is important to lie down or sit comfortably on the couch, rocker, or bed for feeding an infant. Maintaining a correct posture is essential while feeding since this activity will take up a lot of time of the new mother initially.
Breastfeeding a Newborn
For most new mothers breastfeeding happens naturally. However, it may take some time for both the mother and infant to get used to breastfeeding properly. It is not possible to master breastfeeding from day one. Adjusting to a new baby and feeding her efficiently will take some practice and time.
A new mother should be relaxed while nursing. Breastfeeding issues are bound to be there initially. Rather than getting frustrated and being discouraged it is best to make efforts to overcome these issues and provide her newborn with nature’s best gift- the breast milk.
Most hospitals nowadays have a dedicated lactation consultants who can help new mothers cope with breastfeeding efficiently. Taking the help of an expert will be useful for the new mother to learn about latching, proper positioning, and milk supply. Most importantly it will boost self confidence which will make breastfeeding an enjoyable experience.
