New Mom Challenges

If you are a new mom, you are probably thinking your newborn is as perfect as they come. All new moms want to do the best for their baby, but you should always go into knowing that their will be struggles and mistakes made along the way. Here are some of the things you may be coping with if you are a new mom. No worries-it will all come together as you get into the swing of things!

• You Struggle with Breastfeeding: If breastfeeding isn’t going as well as you thought it would, do not suffer alone. Use your resources. Many labor and delivery wards offer lacatation consultants.These are trained professionals who will be happy to evaluate the things you are struggling with. Often times they will even do home visits so they can see firsthand the things you are struggling with. Give yourself a goal of sticking it out for a least a month, but if at the end of four weeks you are still struggling consider switching to formula. Formula fed babies do just as well in the real world!
• Your Husband Becomes Your Worst Enemy: Okay, so you thought having a baby would bring you closer together, but instead you are ready to hit him with a bat and divorce has crossed your mind more than once. The first thing to do is realize that your spouse is doing the best they can. Most men feel an immediate need to become the absolute best provider financially for their family when baby comes. To relieve some of the stress, get hubby involved with the little one. Let him take a night feeding duty so you can catch up on sleep or ask him to do the laundry once a week. Taking over small tasks around the house can make all the difference.
• You Feel Fat: You may not be shedding the left over baby weight quickly and that’s okay. Most of the extra padding and fat is needed to give you some energy for breastfeeding, so that is a good thing. Hitting your old workout routine is not recommended until after 6 weeks post partum, 8 weeks if you had a c-section. So until you can return to your old workout schedule, enjoy the first few weeks with your newborn.
• You Feel the Need to be Perfect: All moms feel pressure to do their very best, but especially new moms, but the idea that your house should be spotless, your kids should always be happy and you should be showered and ready for an outing at any moment is just not realistic. Don’t feel guilty about popping the baby in his bouncy seat for an hour or two so you eat lunch, take a shower, or check your email.