Advice For New MomsSome Baby Parenting Tips
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Here is some wise advice for new moms and tips for moms that can make a real difference after your child's birth. As a new mom, you will be ahead of the game to decide--even before baby arrives--to put a plan in place to take care of yourself. Rest. I mean, really rest. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby.
Decide now, before the added stress of caring for your baby becomes part of every day, to learn what will relax you and revive your spirit. Your ability to allow yourself some timeout for mom will benefit your child as well as you. A relaxed and happy mom helps create an atmoshpere of contentment and peace within the whole family.
Do something that you enjoy every day - take a bubble bath,
order take-out, read your favorite magazine or book for 15 minutes or watch a favorite movie.Other things you can do to help you relax:
- Schedule time for phone calls to people you enjoy.
- Have lunch once a week with a special friend.
- Plan a special time to be with your child's father.
- Walk or do aerobics.
- Get or give a backrub.
- Listen to calming music.
While you are pregnant, try to be as happy and calm as you can be. Though there will be moments when you are stressed or tired and frustrated, try not to let it affect you to such a degree that your baby senses the angst within. A baby’s disposition from birth can determine how the baby responds to you and the way that the baby wants to interact with you.
Whether or not a child inherits mom's disposition is debatable, but certainly there are studies which are ongoing that indicate the two are directly related.
Advice For New Moms After Baby Arrives
Baby Parenting Advice for New Moms:
Your frame of mind can affect your newborn’s disposition.
Did you know a mother’s mood plays a part in a newborn’s disposition? If you’ve already had your child, think back to right after you had the baby. Do you remember how you felt? Did the feeling affect the baby in any way? How can you determine when Mom’s frame of mind can affect her newborn’s disposition?
Household stress can affect baby sleep patterns. When baby will not sleep it is difficult for a new mom to feel rested. Helping baby sleep all night will help you feel more able to cope.
Babies are super-sensitive to their mom's moods and feelings. I recently saw a documentary in which experiments with newborns were conducted. In it, the mom brought her baby into a quiet room and, with direction from the researcher, was asked to exhibit specific facial expressions to determine how the baby would react. When mom smiled, the baby smiled. When mom laughed, the baby giggled. But when mom frowned, the baby sensed something was wrong and his entire demeanor changed. He became upset and often cried. When mom sat expressionless, the baby moved his arms and legs, trying to attract attention. This study concluded that a mom’s disposition does, in some manner, affect the baby’s disposition.
Another expert suggests that massaging, caressing, and touching your baby brings about better mind-body communication. Intellectual and language development may be enhanced by baby massage therapy.
Advice For New Moms About Breastfeeding
Be patient with breastfeeding
- it gets easier.Don't watch the clock to see how often or how long your baby is nursing. Trust your instincts. If your baby is rooting around or crying, then feed him or her — even if you just did.
Put your feet up during feedings.
Drink, drink, drink. If you notice frequent headaches, you could be dehydrated and in need of more fluid. Good rule of thumb: each time you sit down to a feeding, grab a glass of water.
Breastfeeding is a different experience for every mother and baby. What works for one mom and baby may not work for another.
Advice For New Moms About Dad
You and your new baby will benefit from the love and support of the baby's father. New dads are sometimes hesitant to help with the care of an infant. They may fear that the baby is too delicate for a "masculine touch." Assure your baby's father that you trust his ability to care for his child and that you need his help.
While you are still in the hospital your partner can participate in learning how to bathe, diaper and care for your child in a variety of ways.
If your hubby offers to do anything let him, let him, let him. If he doesn't offer, encourage him to help. True, some things may not get done exactly as you would like (diapering, feeding, bathing, trips to the store, etc.) but it will be one less thing for you to do.
The father-child bond created in these early stages will strengthen the relationship for a lifetime.
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Related Links:
Motherhood Stories
Sleep and Baby
Sleep Help for Baby
Baby Sleep Patterns
Finding Mom Time
Timeout for Mom
Amazing Mom
Amazing Mom Stories
Tips for Moms
Joy of Motherhood
Tribute to Motherhood
Organized Parenting
Do You Want to Be a Work At Home Mom?
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