Transcripts
When I brought my baby home
from the hospital they were all very different but one thing remained
the same with each new life – I was exhausted. Hi everybody this is
Rebecca Powell for Baby Talk Radio. When my first baby was born my
husband and I lived several hours away from our family.
I had never felt so alone and
stressed out; I was 25 years old then and as I look back on it the hospital
personnel must have been out of their minds to allow me, an inexperienced
immature selfish young woman to take that cherished baby girl home.
Oddly enough it was
simultaneously as scary as skydiving and yet as comfortable as taking off my
shoes. That was 14 years ago but it seems like yesterday and I remember how
it felt to be a mom for the very first time. Life for many moms feels very
much out of control, nothing is how you thought it would be.
Hormone levels are going crazy
and numerous physical changes from sore breasts to itchy incisions are often
quite difficult to deal with. Medical professional agree that rest is vital
to a new mothers adjustment to parenting. Proper rest along with a balanced
diet can go a long way in reducing your chances of emotional difficulties
like the baby blues after birth.
Now is the time for a new mom to
take care of herself! It’s the only way you will be able to truly care for
your baby. Check out these tips for tackling the baby blues: first of all
make sure rest is your priority! Sleep when the baby sleeps don’t do the
laundry and clean the house or slave over a four course meal while the baby
naps.
Don’t work on thank you notes or
try to put together the baby’s new toys just sleep. Now new mom what are
you eating? Make sure you are as diligent with the healthy eating now as
you were when you were pregnant and don’t forget to continue taking your
prenatal vitamins especially if you are breastfeeding.
Don’t let company exhaust you.
Everyone wants to see the new baby but if you find it’s depleting you energy
set up visiting hours. You’re the mom you can do that, you’re in charge
now. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family and friends.
When people ask what can I do,
they really want to know so point them towards your dirty kitchen or your
laundry room and let them help you out. Don’t be afraid to ask for time
away from the baby, take an hour to visit the library, go get a manicure or
have coffee with a friend.
Finally, when your doctor
approves get some exercise. You’ll feel better, you’ll look better and
you’ll be having fun. Motherhood is a journey that develops selfish
humility and even the most immature inexperienced self centered women like
me, before we know it we’ve laid down our lives for our children gladly
giving up the last piece of pie, the last bit of patients, the last breath
of strength and the last nerve at the last minute on the longest day.
There’s loads of encouragement
for new moms in my book Baby Boot Camp so be sure to visit me on the web at
http://www.rebeccapowell.com and thanks for listening to Baby Talk
Radio.
