8 Coping Tips for First-Time Moms

You’re a first-time mom. This will be your first time ever to bring a human that came out of your home. It can be exciting, especially if you planned for it. At the same time, regardless of your current arrangement, having a new baby will overwhelm you, make you stressed, and exhaust you for the next couple of months. Needless to say, it will change your life forever. The good news is that you don’t have to tread these uncharted waters alone! We listed down some tips that you can follow so that this new phase would feel much lighter and you can truly enjoy the joys brought about by motherhood.

1. Stay close to your reliable support group.

Again, you cannot do this on your own. You would need the support and love of people who know and care for you the most. You can ask your friends or your mom who have had kids before you. Ask them what vaccines, flu shots, breastfeeding tips, sleep pointers, etc. Don’t be shy because 100% of the time, they’ll be more than glad to help you with your queries. This support group also includes experts whose guidance you trust. You may ask your friends for a recommendation from a lactation consultant. They’ll be guiding you on the right way to breastfeed. You can also commission the help of a postpartum doula that will give you techniques to make your baby relax, listen to your woes as a first-time mother and even help you finish your household chores. Sometimes, new moms don’t like accepting help. Please do not commit this mistake. When help is offered, show them that you appreciate the gesture by accepting it. You can assign tasks to family members and friends and make them know how much you appreciate their efforts to make everything lighter for you.

2. Organize your home.

Since there will be a brand new human sharing your household, expect that you will have more things. You need to make space for these new things you have and will be acquiring over time. Discard everything you don’t need anymore and make sure you return the things you scoured through in their original places or in an organized fashion. Use the garage as your warehouse space by installing smart storage solutions such as overhead storage racks and wall shelves so that you can give way to the new items entering your home.

3. Be strict about your visitor policy.

Ever since you’ve announced your pregnancy, your family and friends have been waiting for the day you’ll give birth. You can already expect them to wait for your arrival at home so they can take a glimpse of the baby. Be strict about your policy when it comes to visitors, especially during this time when health is a pressing concern. You should regulate the flow of people in and out of the house.

4. Always be prepared with baby care essentials.

You don’t want to be running at night, scouring for a pacifier or diapers for your baby. Make sure you have enough stock stored at home so that you can prepare for untoward incidents or emergencies. First, you should also take care of yourself. You should have pain relievers, ice packs, peri bottles, witch hazel pads, sitz batz, and more. All these are designed to help you heal in the quickest way possible. Next, you have to be prepared when your baby is hungry or when your baby is full and has to poop or pee. You should be prepared with sterilized bottles and diapers as well as wipes and diaper rash cream. For yourself, you must have nipple cream, burp cloths, and a water bottle. And again, don’t forget to bring healthy snacks for you and everybody on guard!

5. Talk to first-time moms.

You would definitely appreciate talking to someone who is going through the same phase at the moment. You can always meet first-time moms virtually. This will give you a feeling that you are not alone and that there are other moms who are also struggling but are still thriving and coming out of this early motherhood phase as stronger and happier humans. You would also hear from first-time moms what items they’ve been going gaga for. Most moms might tell you they need a baby wrap or carrier, a milk saver, a nightlight, and velcro swaddles.

6. Have time for yourself.

Even though you are already a mom, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to take care of yourself anymore. You should still have personal time every day. It can be as simple as being able to do your regular skincare routine every morning and night as well as going for a walk in the park.

7. Be patient with yourself.

Don’t expect that you already know everything. This is your first time ever to have a new baby, your very own, so no one expects you to be an expert at it. Plus, every baby is different. You’d go through that adjustment period where you could assess how your baby behaves in different situations and then respond accordingly. First-time moms say that no matter how you plan something when it comes to your babies, you can already expect that it won’t exactly pan out the way you imagined it. This is why you should be flexible. Don’t put rigid rules because then again, you are still discovering what it means to be a mom. Also, remember that babies are growing humans. When you’re feeling tired or stressed, pause for a moment and remember that you are only going through this phase for a while. It will soon pass on because your baby would be behaving differently as he or she ages.

8. Breathe deeply.

When the going gets tough, go out of the house and breathe in some fresh air. You can even add walking to the equation and we can guarantee you how refreshing and recharged you’ll feel after your long walk and deep breaths. You’d be able to face your baby with a big smile again and be ready to take care of this new life that you brought to the world. While we’re at it, we’d like to greet you with a Happy Mother’s Day for the very first time!