Surviving the transition into parenthood is challenging. While babies are a blessing, there is so much that new parents feel underqualified for. And unfortunately, reaching out for help can sometimes leave them feeling inadequate. The good news is that all parents have been there. There are some things you can do to ease the transition, help you and your new baby adjust, and build new routines New Parents that will help you going forward. Here’s the best advice for new parents in the first year after the baby is born.
Take It One Day at a Time
Take a deep breath and relax. Whether you realize it or not, every parent went through a season of transition, so it’s important to recognize that you won’t be perfect all the time. Don’t worry about what you can’t control. There are a lot of new things you’ll experience, and you’ll call everyone from your parents, to the pediatrician, to your best friend looking for wisdom along the way.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask for Help
It’s okay to ask for help and it’s also okay to say no to things that don’t feel like the best use of your time, energy, and attention right now. This is the first year of your baby’s life. When they’re older, they’ll be able to do more by themselves; but right now? You need to focus on them. New ParentsAsking for help doesn’t make you a bad parent. You’re going to need help. You’re going to need help with your baby, and you’re going to need help with things around the house like washing baby clothes, cleaning the kitchen, and vacuuming.
It’s okay if you don’t feel like you can do everything on your own, especially during the first few months. Your partner might also be overwhelmed, but they should be able to pitch in more than they currently are if asked politely. It’s important to support each other and recognize when each of you needs help.
Some Days You Won’t Get Anything Else Done
As a new parent, you will have good days and bad days. Some days you may be able to get a lot done. Other days, you might find yourself staying up all night with your newborn baby who’s teething or just being fussy. Don’t worry about what other people are doing; instead, focus on making sure that your child eats, sleeps, and stays safe and healthy on any given day.
Be careful not to worry about doing much more than taking care of your baby and your basic needs. Anything else can wait. It’s okay to say no to adding too many additional responsibilities to your plate after the baby arrives.
Find Simple Ways To Relax at Home
You could take a bath, read a book, go for a walk, listen to music, and do so many other things. While it will look different with your baby around, you can still find ways to unwind as a new parent. It may mean asking for help from family or friends and even your partner to watch the baby for a little while so you can do bath time for yourself alone.
Eat Well and Exercise
While there is no need to worry about getting your pre-baby body back within the first year, you can eat well and exercise for other reasons. These things will help you feel energized, help you balance your moods and so much more. Exercise can be as simple as swim or walking around the community. Eating well means focusing on getting enough protein and nutrients instead of fast-food and convenience items.
Be Prepared for Change
You will learn a lot about yourself as a parent. You’ll also learn what works and what doesn’t work. You should be prepared to throw everything you thought you knew about parenting out the window because you’re going to have to be flexible and adaptable in order to adjust to your baby’s needs. It can be hard for parents who are used to having things go their way all the time, but it’s important not only for your sanity but also for their health that you are ready and willing to change when needed for your baby.
Your baby will give you the strength to do things you never thought possible, but it’s also vital to remember that your needs are important too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and don’t worry about being a burden on others. You’re doing something amazing by raising this little human. Remember that everyone has been in your shoes once upon a time, so keep an open mind as they offer advice or share their own experiences with you.
