During those 40 weeks of pregnancy, I read a million articles about pregnancy, delivery and motherhood & thought I was all set to rock the role of a new mom. The initial few days were horrible.. I was confused, broken, angry and moreover considered myself a failure because I felt I would never fit into the role of a mother. There would be visitors pouring in, many of whom you would hardly know and most of them would talk about how wrong you are doing certain things, they worry about how you are going to lose all that pregnancy weight, and will keep guessing who the baby looks like.
Trust me when I say this, this phase is going to pass by sooner than you think, your baby will start smiling, will search for your presence around, your every hug & kiss would seem magical. There are a couple of things I wish I was prepared for, so I am jotting them down here hoping it will help someone get through this beautiful phase with a bit more ease :)
TAKE IT SLOW:
However prepared you are, it is going to take time for you to get accustomed to the physical and emotional changes after delivery. Baby may not latch on right away, there won't be enough milk, you might go through a roller coaster of emotions. Do not rush to perfect everything, depend on formula until baby learns to latch on or if milk supply isn't sufficient. Moreover surround yourself with positive vibes, we often forget that it is a time to celebrate and not something to worry about! :)
NOTHING BEATS YOUR MAMA INSTINCTS:
Remember ignorance is bliss. We always looked for the science behind many of the age-old practices and avoided doing anything that we didn't feel necessary. You will be smirked at, you will be judged but at the end its your baby so you really don't have to please the world to bring him/her up. I always trusted BabyCenter App more than anybody, it was (and still is) my go-to place whenever I am doubtful about my parenting skills going wrong.
PRIORITIZE COMFORT & EASE:
Normal Delivery vs Cesarean, Diapers vs Cloth napkins, breast milk vs formula, wrapping, feeding, bathing or putting the baby to sleep, there is going to be a lot of suggestions around. Don't let this hamper your peace of mind because remember a couple of years down the lane no one is going to label your kid based on whether he was diaper-free all the time or was a formula-fed baby. So follow what you feel is convenient and safe for baby.
- If you feel disposable diapers will make your life a little easier switch to that, remember to change the diaper frequently so you don't have to worry about diaper rash.
- Use formula, use a breast pump - do not stress about milk, our body will figure it out soon and you will have the nest bonding time with your baby (also less sterilized bottles and measuring formula :))
- Please remember to use a tear-free soap or body wash
- Do not confine to a room or inside the house for a long time, exposing them to not-so-noisy environment & fresh air is only going to boost their immunity and let them start their exploration even at a very young age - also you get a break from monotony
More than anything enjoy every bit of it!! <3
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