If you’re a new parent, you’ve already heard countless stories about newborns. Truly, your life changes forever after having a baby. As first-time parents, you should be ready to face a lot of stress.
Here are five common stressors for new parents and how to deal with them!
1. Fussy Baby
You may have never been around newborns before having your baby. Well, your little one will always cry and fuss more than you ever imagined. By crying, infants communicate that they’re uncomfortable.
With time, you’ll get to learn more about your baby, including why they might be crying. That also goes for common signs of hunger. Want to get a head start? Use the baby formula feeding chart from Organic’s Best to minimize your baby’s crying. Also, don’t forget the “5 S’s” rule:
- swaddle;
- side-stomach position;
- shush;
- swing;
- suck.
2. Lack Of Free Time
There’s a common misconception among first-time parents that you can just swaddle your baby and enjoy some free time. In reality, babies demand a lot more to fall and stay asleep than just that. Moreover, they don’t sleep an entire night straight.
Don’t expect much free time. Having a baby is a huge change, so don’t plan anything major right after the baby’s birth. While you can ask your partner, family, and friends to help, most of your time will be devoted to baby care.
3. Tons Of Responsibilities
As we already said, your life will revolve around your baby. That’s right, and it means a lot of responsibilities follow along. You’ll have to divide those responsibilities, from smaller ones like feeding to bigger ones like night time shifts. Otherwise, you won’t be able to keep up.
So, forget about pride and being perfect. Set up a support system ahead, and include everyone you can on the list. Consider supplementing your baby with infant formula or keep some breast milk in the fridge for someone else to feed the baby.
4. Physical And Mental Changes
Mothers that gave birth will go through most changes, and these will happen right when they’re trying to adapt to their new lifestyle and having a baby. Yet, it’s not just mothers who feel different during the postpartum period.
Dads, too, can experience anxiety disorders and baby blues after their partner gives birth. So, it’s crucial to be in contact with a good mental health therapist and pay close attention to any possible symptoms.
5. Absence Of Peer Support
Depending on the new parents’ age, they might find themselves lacking mental support from their peers. While it can be an unpleasant change, they can find parents going through the same thing in support groups for moms and dads.
There, first-time parents can ask for advice, share their experiences, and even find new friends!
Conclusion
New parents will go through a lot of changes. And while their baby will turn the world upside down, most common stressors are possible to deal with. Don’t be scared to ask for help, be it physical or mental. Being a first-time parent is not an easy endeavour!
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