Having a new baby is an extremely exciting but daunting prospect; especially if you’re going to be a first-time parent. It can be difficult to know exactly what to expect when your newborn is placed into your arms for the very first time and how this little bundle of joy is set to change your life forever.
It’s a natural feeling to worry about whether you’re doing everything right – after all, it’s such a huge life adjustment that you simply can’t prepare for.
This blog will give you some useful information on becoming a first-time parent and help ease any worries you may have.
Getting the help you need after birth
Having a newborn baby is an overwhelming experience for several reasons. After birth, there will be many experts in the hospital who will be willing to help and make the transition into parenthood much less stressful.
For example, if you’re having trouble breastfeeding, there will be feeding specialists on site who will help you get started and assist with any issues. Nurses will also be on-hand to help you hold, change and generally take care of your newborn.
Although it can be a scary thought, it’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected. On the rare occasion, some babies are born with a condition called cerebral palsy which is caused by injury during birth or a severe infection. This is typically down to medical negligence. If this is the case, you are eligible to claim compensation for a child with cerebral palsy. Getting in contact with a birth injuries solicitor will ensure you receive a sensitive legal service to get you the justice you deserve.
Taking care of the newborn
If you haven’t got much experience taking care of a newborn baby, you may be nervous about how to go about looking after your child. It’s always good to be in-the-know about basic tips, like those listed below:
- Be gentle: you should never shake your baby during play or as a method of waking them up, as this can cause a bleed on the brain and even death. Instead, tickle them or blow on their cheek to wake them up from a deep sleep.
- Wash your hands: every time you handle your baby, always make sure your hands are thoroughly washed. Babies have extremely weak immune systems and are at risk of contracting serious illnesses and infections from germs.
Bonding
One of the main concerns of any new parent is worrying about whether you are able to bond with your baby. The bonding process typically occurs over the first few days after giving birth. It’s not uncommon for some new mums to struggle with bonding as a result of postpartum depression.
A baby relies on the emotional attachment with their mother to enhance both their mental and physical development. Skin-on-skin contact is extremely important to create a positive relationship between the mother and baby as well as reducing stress levels in the baby’s brain, which could otherwise lead to sleep deprivation and colic, amongst other health complaints.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
[…] from your baby, it doesn’t mean that it immediately leads to serious injuries. Naturally, as first-time parents, you and your partner may be under a lot of anxiety or distress that even the smallest sign of […]