The moment in which we have to leave the hospital with our newborn baby can be very expected, but there are also certain fears that make us ask ourselves how will that return home with the baby and how to cope without fainting.
Especially in the case of first-time mothers, fear of the unknown can occur, fear of knowing how to cope with the new family member, fear of recovering from childbirth, and taking care of the baby. It is common to think that we will not have the strength to do so, that we will not know how to act. Here we leave several keys to survive after returning home with the baby.
We move from the security provided by the hospital, the care and care of the shared baby, to a different environment in which we may feel insecure during the first days.
And is that It's not always easy to go home with the baby, with a weakened mother and perhaps volatile mood, a mother sometimes confused and with mixed feelings that mix happiness and fatigue, euphoria and decay ... We want to prevent postpartum depression, mitigate "baby blues." How to achieve it?
Decalogue of tips to survive at home with the baby
Do not demand too much, accept your limits. We are not superheroines and our body is probably weakened. The radical hormonal change, the pains of possible episiotomies or caesarean sections, lack of sleep ... are just some temporary impediments that do not allow us to be physically (or emotionally) 100%. Let's face it with calm, serenity and rest.
Ask for help, whatever you need. Maybe you don't want them to invade your house, let them know. But the family can be a great help for the first days with the baby at home, preparing food, helping to clean what is necessary ... Another issue is the help with the baby: when you think you need it, you can ask for it, but if they consider who are getting into tasks that don't belong to them, you have to communicate it.
The father is fundamental in the previous section (and many other points), because he has to be attentive to what the mother needs at all times, taking care of what he can do so that she rests and recovers, asking and listening, talking about Whatever it takes, no demands.
Reject the demands of your environment. It is common for family and friends to meddle in how we are caring for our baby. When you think they are asking you too much, or that they speak without asking for their opinion, let them know, because they have to understand that you are in a very special moment and it may be difficult.
On the other hand, postpartum intimacy is a normal need: enjoy it with your baby whenever you want, they are unique moments for you and it is normal for a family not to be "invaded".
Visits, just. Postpartum visits are sometimes unwanted, so let friends know if we want them to postpone. They have to understand that we are not looking forward to this moment, if that is the case. but you may want to know the baby, and then postpartum visits can be of great help.
Problems with breastfeeding could aggravate the adaptation process: be patient and seek help when necessary. Surely in your city or nearby there is a breastfeeding support group in which to share experiences and answer your questions.
Run away from isolation, talk to your partner, with other women in the same situation. These are common problems and knowing that we are not going through it alone will help us cope with a better postpartum at home. Do not lock yourself at home, go for a walk with the baby and, as far as possible, do the activities you like again.
Enjoy the baby, who needs you. It is normal that at first we feel him as a stranger, but little by little he is naturally a part of us, and the maternal feeling comes sooner or later. Physical contact for the child is essential especially in these first days of life.
Give yourself some time to return to "normal", and although your life will not be the same, it will be better. We have to be patient with the baby, with the lack of sleep, with the disorder at home, with the aftermath of the birth, with the exclusive conversations for the baby ... It will not be a matter of a week or two, but little by little we will adapt To the new situation.
Definitely, these first days at home with the baby may not be idealized, we will not be in top form and the house is upside down, like our hormones. But they are unforgettable and unforgettable days and we have to enjoy them as much as possible taking care of our baby and letting them help us whenever we want.
Photos | Thomas Beck Photo and Footloosiety on Flickr In Babies and more | The first family days after childbirth, Being a dad: the first days and visits, What to do before the baby blues
