Welcoming Baby
One of my friends is expecting her first baby in a few weeks and she reached out to me asking what she should do when she brings her baby home from the hospital? What does she need to know and what should she worry about?
You spend months mentally, physically, and emotionally preparing for your baby’s arrival and yet when your baby finally arrives you may still feel ill prepared. When my husband and I had our first child, I remember driving away from the hospital with our tiny newborn thinking the doctors and nurses are not here anymore, this is all on us. Upon arriving home a few hours later, we walked in the front door and sat on the couch staring at our precious baby asleep in her car seat. We looked at each other and said, “What now?” Does she need to do tummy time? A new diaper? Time to eat? We were flooded by the unknowns and the questions.
We found a grounding point knowing that no parent goes into parenthood with the mindset of being a bad parent. Every parent is doing their best at that given moment given their circumstances. You are doing a good job!
As the days went on, we found our groove and started to feel more comfortable knowing and responding to our baby’s needs. There is no perfect answer of what to do, what to expect or what to know before your baby arrives but here are a few things to keep in mind.
Spend Time Bonding with your Baby- your relationship with baby is new, the whole world is new to your baby. Spend time holding, snuggling, and comforting your new baby.
Respond to your baby’s needs- even if you do not know what they need, show them you are there.
Ask for Help-If there is something you are wondering or do not know the answer to don’t be afraid to ask a family member, friend or doctor. Every parent was a new parent at one point!
Find Support-Find other new parents, join them for walks or coffee. It is nice to connect and talk with other people experiencing similar life changes.
Take Time for Yourself- be sure to give yourself a break. Leave your baby with someone you trust and enjoy a bath, a walk, or a quick run to the grocery store alone.
Trust Yourself- You know more than you think you do! Trust your gut! You will be surprised how often in parenting your gut feeling is the right thing!
Allow Yourself Space-Give yourself the space you need to process the new emotions of parenthood. It is a big adjustment!
The first few weeks with a new baby are a blur. But you and baby are learning and adjusting together. Things will change, adapt, and improve and you will figure out a new normal as a family.