Motherhood is rewarding and fulfilling, but it can also be draining and stressful. Babies' needs are immediate and endless, requiring attention around the clock. All women adapt with a different level of ease to motherhood, but some first-time moms struggle with the constant stressors.
Take Walks Every Day
Getting outside each day shakes up the everyday routine and allows moms to leave the messy house and other problems behind. It's a great way for mothers to get fresh air and daily exercise, which sheds baby weight and reduces stress. Most infants also enjoy riding in a stroller, and the motion may soothe a colicky baby or put a fussy baby to sleep.
Dealing with Crying Jags and Colic
Babies cry for a variety of reasons, and sometimes for no discernible reason at all. When a baby cries inconsolably, it's easy for new moms to get stressed, feel like bad mothers, or even get upset with the baby. If holding, feeding, changing, and burping a crying baby doesn't help, try:
- Lying the baby on a blanket atop a running clothes dryer
- Taking a drive in the car or a walk with the stroller
- Going outside if you are inside; going inside if you are outside
- Bouncing on an exercise ball while holding the baby
- Lying the baby belly-down across your lap with his rear end slightly raised and pat his back to relieve gas
- Holding the baby in front of you, belly facing down, at a 45 degree angle; gently raise and lower the baby rhythmically
- Asking a spouse, family member, or friend to step in and give you a break
- Placing the baby in his crib for a 5-minute breather if you feel you're about to snap
Create More Realistic Expectations
New moms are often too harsh on themselves for not keeping up with housework and other obligations, but the reality is that those take second priority to a needy newborn right now. As time goes on, moms will adjust to their new roles, catch up on lost sleep, and be better equipped to tackle household chores. But especially in the first few weeks and months, mothers should cut themselves a lot of slack.
Reach Out for Help
Accept offers from friends and family to clean, do laundry, cook meals, or hold the baby. And if no one offers, then ask. Lots of people are ready and willing to help but aren't sure how. Talking or venting to others about feelings of stress and depression is also helpful for a new mom's mental well-being.
Handling Boredom as a New Mom
New mothers can feel extremely stressed, but they can also feel extremely bored. They may tire of playing with a newborn who is too young to smile or react, and they may feel that all they do is twiddle their thumbs while baby naps. To fight boredom, moms can:
- Talk to baby. Describing everything to a baby gets moms out of their own thoughts and helps them feel more connected to their child. Infants don't care what the subject is, but they love to hear the sound of a mother's voice.
- Continue a hobby. Having a baby means drastic lifestyle changes, but new moms can still have a life. They can and should continue painting, exercising, reading, scrapbooking, writing, or whatever else they used to enjoy – it just has to be planned around the baby's nap schedule.
- Get out of the house. Newborns are incredibly portable little creatures who are happy to sleep just about anywhere. New moms should take advantage of this fact and get out whenever they can.
- Socialize with other moms. Because a new mom's life suddenly revolves around her baby, she may not connect with her childless friends like she used to. Make new friends at playgroups, libraries, and parks with other mothers who share similar interests.
Becoming a new mom is the most difficult job transition there is. At times it can be stressful, lonely, and even boring. By taking care of themselves, accepting help and friendship from others, and re-evaluating their expectations new moms can make the transition smoother.
Readers might also be interested in "Struggling with Postpartum Depression."
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