Being a first-time mom can be quite overwhelming - from the time a woman finds out that she's going to be a mother up to the time she first holds her baby after a very painful labor. Motherhood is considered to be one of the noblest and most difficult tasks in the world, yet the rewards are also immeasurable.
First-time moms need a lot of support especially after giving birth because life with a newborn is certainly something that will entail a 360-degree makeover from their usual lifestyle and routine. Another thing to consider for new mothers is the surge of hormones and emotions, which can be medically coined as post-partum depression.
Post-partum depression affects about 80-85% of new mothers and is prevalent all over the world.
That said, the family members and the husband or significant others of first-time moms should lend an extra hand to assist and support the new mommies as they set foot on the lifetime journey of motherhood. Below are some practical tips for first-time mommies.
Sleep like a baby
While the phrase "sleep like a baby" might seem to be a very illogical and impossible situation for moms, it can actually be understood in a sense that moms should try to get some sleep while the baby is also asleep. Being sleep-deprived is one of the common causes of exhaustion and depression, which is why moms are encouraged to grab some snooze time when the baby is also dozing off.
Some may reason out that this is only a small window of time when they can do household chores like do the laundry, wash the dishes or clean the house, but at the end of the day, housework can wait.
Self-preservation, in this case, getting some much-needed sleep, is the more important choice.
It's okay to ask for help
The first few months after giving birth is commonly considered to be the most difficult for first-time moms. This is the time when they have to adjust their sleeping patterns, to their baby's feeding schedule and shift their lifestyle from childless to having a new bundle of joy.
During these moments, new moms can feel really tired and helpless but are shy or hesitant to ask for help thinking that it's now their duty to be Superwoman at home.
Asking for help or support from a spouse, mother, sister or anyone in the family is highly encouraged. Almost everyone will be willing to help a new mom and be happy to watch the baby for a while.
Comparing is a big no-no
Some first-time moms find themselves spending a lot of time on social media, most especially when they are putting a baby to sleep. It's much better than to stare off into space or watch a favorite series (which entails noise unless earphones will be used.)
However, studies have shown that moms tend to compare themselves to other moms and end up feeling insecure or inadequate in several aspects. Thoughts like "her baby is chubbier than mine" or "she's lost a lot of baby weight already" or "why does she still have that pregnancy glow and I look like a zombie?" will creep up when the mind starts to compare.
First-time moms should take it slow, learn how to ask for help when they need it and enjoy the little moments with their baby. Time flies so fast, the months and years just zip by, and at the end of the day, the love and care between mother and child will carry on to the next generation.
