Let’s fast forward, you are in hospital and the baby was just born. Now you are excited to be a mom. Family and friends are coming to see the baby and you feed and hold them while in the hospital. It is a serene experience. But now comes when the baby comes home. You realize immediately that it is very different from being in the hospital. The best way to cope with a new baby is to get a lot of help. At least within the first month. Have friends and family help as much as possible.

For example, experts say, to sleep when the baby sleeps. While it sounds good in theory, it doesn’t always happen that way. Especially when you have more than one child. By having a family member or friend come and watch the baby while you take a nap for a few hours would be great. Then you can wake up refreshed and ready to play with the baby.

Whoever says the first three months are easy, they are lying or they have round the clock help. It is hard work and you will make many sacrifices. But it is all worth it because you have a happy and healthy baby. Within the first three months, you will sleep in increments of 3 to 4 hours a night, all between feedings. You will be tired, most of the time because there are others things like cooking and cleaning and taking care of the other children if you have any.

The best way to deal with everything is to make a list or a schedule. Get as much of your errands or housework done in the morning hours. This way mostly everything is done and being taken care of. How you set up your life will make everything easier for you, even if you don’t have any help at all. Your baby will start sleeping through the night at about 3 to 4 months old. Then you can really set up a schedule that really works well for you.

You may not get it right the first time, but it is all about trial and error. You will soon find a groove that works. If you find yourself overwhelmed, take a break. You want to be super mom but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Don’t feel ashamed if you need help. All new moms need a break every once in a while.

Aaron Nimocks is a frequent blogger at Pregnancy Hut and offers advice on his Pregnancy Forums.

Share This

The first three months of a pregnancy are crucial, as every one knows. You will start to experience fatigue in the first trimester as well as some morning sickness. But you also have to work at keeping your stress levels way down. Stress is not good at all through a pregnancy but in the first three months it is a taboo. You may want to consider cutting back on your work hours. Start with a few hours a week. Many women can successfully work up to their ninth month but that is not ideal for everyone.

After you are past the three-month mark and you start to tell everyone, you have to tell your boss. Most places are very accommodating but you still have to tell them. Ask them about reducing your hours or if you have a certain job function that is physically demanding, then ask about removing that task from your workload.

You want to be able to work to your fullest capacity, but it doesn’t always work that way. It is ok to slow down and start taking care of your self. If you are one of those workers who would eat and work at the same time because there was no room for lunch. When you are pregnant, make the time to eat without any distractions. Your job is important to you but the baby is more important. You really have to make conscious changes to your lifestyle when you are pregnant.

It can be hard because you are so used to doing things a certain way that you forget to slow down or stop doing something because you are pregnant. Most women start their morning off with coffee. While experts say that one cup of caffeine a day is ok. Try to keep it simple, have a simple cup of coffee instead of an espresso. You may find yourself working slower but too much caffeine can be harmful to your baby.

Discuss working with your doctor and your partner. See if it something that can be changed to accommodate your situation. Ask your boss to speak to the doctor if there are any questions about your limitations or have your doctor write a note. Remember, the most important thing is your health and the health of your baby.

Aaron Nimocks is a frequent blogger at Pregnancy Hut and offers advice on his Pregnancy Forums.

Share This