The first trimester was most likely a 1000 watt jolt!!
The second trimester a sigh of relief...
and the third trimester probably had you feeling on top of a roller coaster, ready for the drop!!!
But folkies... here is the surprise... the real test and the real transformer of your essence as a person... is the fourth trimester!!!
Yup, the first 3 months of your new born's life is going to teach you, transform you, twist you and test you in ways you never thought possible.
And through this journey of fire you will emerge as a force of nature :P a parent!
he he, but yea, dont worry dearie! you got this... literally almost every human in this planet has had a caretaker who survived this journey, and i am sure you are gonna do just fine :D
But yes, for the first time momma (no gender bias, but it really is tougher for the momma), every day, will feel like the sky is falling... hang in there, you are doing fine...
Here are some hard learnt lessons from my personal journey and of my near and dear ones, which I hope will help you too :)
1) I know it feels like the end of the world, when your baby just wont sleep, or is crying non-stop. Dont worry, please...
First check the basics: burp, diaper, ambience(itchy clothes? too hot?), milk... in that order
Basics done? baby still crying or uneasy? check for a bleeding navel, cold, rashes (esp diaper rashes), dandruff, does you baby have colic?
If so, consult your pediatrician ... a lot of baby go through this, you are still fine!
If all of this is fine, then please relax, your baby is not in any danger... you need to ride this through... your baby is just getting used to this whole new world they have been brought into...
If you are still unable to relax, please put your baby in a safe place and pass on the charge to a trusted person... meanwhile you take a breather... you are doing just fine!
2) your newborn is probably gonna poop a lot! having a pure milk diet and a new digestive system has that result... this will tempt you to use diapers... but honestly, a langot/ cloth diaper is not such a bad idea... esp since a new born hardly moves around much, and you can safely use a rubber sheet to lay him/ her on. When you are lifting the baby for a feed or a stroll, just wrap the rubber sheet around their buttock and you are gonna be just fine... of course be sure to sanitise and get the langots cleaned and dried in sunlight before next use :)
3) try to wash the poop rather than wipe it! in India we are blessed with warm weather , so if its not too cold outside, try to just wash you baby's rear... the sooner you get used to handling your baby, the better! of course, if you dont want to rush to the bathroom, just have a small mug of water and a wash cloth, squirt some water and very very gently wipe your baby... your baby is sooooo precious and gentle that one strong wipe can give them a nasty rash :/ so be gentle... and once a day be thorough... no poop in the genital areas... for girls always clean front to back
4) a green poop is not the end of the world ! as long as the poop is not black, red or white, you are doing fine :) but yea, if breastfeeding, try to get more hind milk into your baby's diet by letting them feed on each breast longer.
5) although it would be tempting to rock your baby to sleep, try, and i know this is hard, but try to reduce the rocking and walking with baby to help her/him sleep. Just swaddle them and gently pat them to help them sleep. In the long run, this will help your child sleep independently since they wont associate rocking and walking with sleeping. The more independent you make your baby, the more easy parenting will be as your child gets older. Of course, no compromise on the love you show, you cannot love a baby enough, love away.
6) cut their nails twice a week, i know it looks freaky, since their fingers are so tiny! but you gotta do it, the sooner u learn the better :)
7) keep your baby's gentle skin moisturised! if they have a rash/ or some skin erruptions, try coconut oil... also if your baby has heat boil, dont forget to put powder after you moisturise. But yea, never skip the moisturising part...
8) if your little one has a cold, then, try: steam, saline drops, cap-gloves-socks (made of cotton if it is warm), and if breast feeding, eat things that increase your body heat and cures your cold if you have one as well. The exact number of times of steam, frequency of saline drops etc is dependent on the nature of your baby and their cold, consult your pediatrician for details.
9) give yourself time, don't always be sticking to your baby :P If possible get the following things ready, sooner rather than later:
1) a mosquito net
2) a baby camera (wireless, with infrared vision)
3) if possible a nanny
now, when ur little one is asleep and comfortable, secure them with mosquito net, keep an eye on them with your baby camera and please, go comb your hair, or make your favourite dish, or watch a tv series you are interested in... and in case you have a baby sitter, do step out of the house, if only for half an hour :)
10) try to get as much sleep as possible... your health is paramount... your physical and mental health will reflect directly on your baby, so love yourself too :) eat well, try to get rest when possible and just relax, you got this!
11) dont assume everyone knows that your baby's neck is not firm, gently inform them before handing your baby :)
12) your baby can definitely sense your emotions! so... if u r disturbed, ur baby is gonna know... relax take it easy :) i know it seems like you are getting no sleep, and your partner is probably not putting in half as much effort as you and that hug u need never arrives on time... but hey... u got this ! and you are doing just fine! :) your baby definitely loves you and depends on you completely :) just give in to that love :) u will get all the strength that you need :)
These lessons are in addition to the normal child care tips you must already be floating around in :)
Finally... one day at a time... fourth trimester will change you for the better :)
One day at a time... I know it seems like forever, but your little one will grow up soon :P
Take care dearie! :)
The second trimester a sigh of relief...
and the third trimester probably had you feeling on top of a roller coaster, ready for the drop!!!
But folkies... here is the surprise... the real test and the real transformer of your essence as a person... is the fourth trimester!!!
Yup, the first 3 months of your new born's life is going to teach you, transform you, twist you and test you in ways you never thought possible.
And through this journey of fire you will emerge as a force of nature :P a parent!
he he, but yea, dont worry dearie! you got this... literally almost every human in this planet has had a caretaker who survived this journey, and i am sure you are gonna do just fine :D
But yes, for the first time momma (no gender bias, but it really is tougher for the momma), every day, will feel like the sky is falling... hang in there, you are doing fine...
Here are some hard learnt lessons from my personal journey and of my near and dear ones, which I hope will help you too :)
1) I know it feels like the end of the world, when your baby just wont sleep, or is crying non-stop. Dont worry, please...
First check the basics: burp, diaper, ambience(itchy clothes? too hot?), milk... in that order
Basics done? baby still crying or uneasy? check for a bleeding navel, cold, rashes (esp diaper rashes), dandruff, does you baby have colic?
If so, consult your pediatrician ... a lot of baby go through this, you are still fine!
If all of this is fine, then please relax, your baby is not in any danger... you need to ride this through... your baby is just getting used to this whole new world they have been brought into...
If you are still unable to relax, please put your baby in a safe place and pass on the charge to a trusted person... meanwhile you take a breather... you are doing just fine!
2) your newborn is probably gonna poop a lot! having a pure milk diet and a new digestive system has that result... this will tempt you to use diapers... but honestly, a langot/ cloth diaper is not such a bad idea... esp since a new born hardly moves around much, and you can safely use a rubber sheet to lay him/ her on. When you are lifting the baby for a feed or a stroll, just wrap the rubber sheet around their buttock and you are gonna be just fine... of course be sure to sanitise and get the langots cleaned and dried in sunlight before next use :)
3) try to wash the poop rather than wipe it! in India we are blessed with warm weather , so if its not too cold outside, try to just wash you baby's rear... the sooner you get used to handling your baby, the better! of course, if you dont want to rush to the bathroom, just have a small mug of water and a wash cloth, squirt some water and very very gently wipe your baby... your baby is sooooo precious and gentle that one strong wipe can give them a nasty rash :/ so be gentle... and once a day be thorough... no poop in the genital areas... for girls always clean front to back
4) a green poop is not the end of the world ! as long as the poop is not black, red or white, you are doing fine :) but yea, if breastfeeding, try to get more hind milk into your baby's diet by letting them feed on each breast longer.
5) although it would be tempting to rock your baby to sleep, try, and i know this is hard, but try to reduce the rocking and walking with baby to help her/him sleep. Just swaddle them and gently pat them to help them sleep. In the long run, this will help your child sleep independently since they wont associate rocking and walking with sleeping. The more independent you make your baby, the more easy parenting will be as your child gets older. Of course, no compromise on the love you show, you cannot love a baby enough, love away.
6) cut their nails twice a week, i know it looks freaky, since their fingers are so tiny! but you gotta do it, the sooner u learn the better :)
7) keep your baby's gentle skin moisturised! if they have a rash/ or some skin erruptions, try coconut oil... also if your baby has heat boil, dont forget to put powder after you moisturise. But yea, never skip the moisturising part...
8) if your little one has a cold, then, try: steam, saline drops, cap-gloves-socks (made of cotton if it is warm), and if breast feeding, eat things that increase your body heat and cures your cold if you have one as well. The exact number of times of steam, frequency of saline drops etc is dependent on the nature of your baby and their cold, consult your pediatrician for details.
9) give yourself time, don't always be sticking to your baby :P If possible get the following things ready, sooner rather than later:
1) a mosquito net
2) a baby camera (wireless, with infrared vision)
3) if possible a nanny
now, when ur little one is asleep and comfortable, secure them with mosquito net, keep an eye on them with your baby camera and please, go comb your hair, or make your favourite dish, or watch a tv series you are interested in... and in case you have a baby sitter, do step out of the house, if only for half an hour :)
10) try to get as much sleep as possible... your health is paramount... your physical and mental health will reflect directly on your baby, so love yourself too :) eat well, try to get rest when possible and just relax, you got this!
11) dont assume everyone knows that your baby's neck is not firm, gently inform them before handing your baby :)
12) your baby can definitely sense your emotions! so... if u r disturbed, ur baby is gonna know... relax take it easy :) i know it seems like you are getting no sleep, and your partner is probably not putting in half as much effort as you and that hug u need never arrives on time... but hey... u got this ! and you are doing just fine! :) your baby definitely loves you and depends on you completely :) just give in to that love :) u will get all the strength that you need :)
These lessons are in addition to the normal child care tips you must already be floating around in :)
Finally... one day at a time... fourth trimester will change you for the better :)
One day at a time... I know it seems like forever, but your little one will grow up soon :P
Take care dearie! :)
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