Sleeping
Both Mum and Dad will feel the effects of sleep deprivation, your new born can sleep up to 16 hours a day unfortunately not in one go. So our tip is to take shifts, if your partner works make sure they get a good nights sleep and take turns in who will do the feeding night shifts. The old adage ‘sleep when your baby sleeps’ is so true and at the weekends agree a ‘lie in’ routine!
Soothing
The first few weeks are the most difficult as you learn to know what your baby wants. You will get to recognise the different reasons why your baby might be crying – hunger, dirty nappy, needs sleep, tummy trouble (gas, colic), too hot or cold, needs winding or they may just want a cuddle. Remember your baby has been in the womb for a long time and hence the reason babies like to be swaddled or like the sound of strange things like the vacuum or particular music as they recognise these from when they were in the womb and it is comforting.
Dad’s Want To Be Involved
It is a myth that Dads don’t want to be involved, I have so many Dad customers and normally it is due to the fear of doing something wrong why they don’t get involved, we’ve all been there let them help but don’t criticise. If your breast feeding, Dads can feel quite helpless but let them help wind them or agree between you when Dads time is such as bath time. Dads remember to cherish this time as they grow up so quick, try ‘skin to skin’ as babies bond through hearing, touch and smell, do this as soon as you can. We did this in the hospital and made it part of our birthing plan…continue when you get home.
Out and About
Going out is the most frightening thing ever, and it takes 3 hours to get ready and a convoy of cars to carry everything…just in case! If you have twins or more this can be a marathan, be sure you give yourself plenty of time especially if your going to appointments. Once you have ventured out a few times it does get easier, and to help always stock your bag up with nappies, baby wipes, emergency money etc when you get back as you will probably have a 1000 things on your mind when you next go out and forget. Take a spare top…not for baby, that’s already in the bag…for you. The first time you go out go some where you know such as a friends house, not all places have baby changing facilities. Don’t go alone 2 people always makes things easier.
Stock Up
Whilst you are pregnant stock with essential items like baby wipes, nappies remember your new born will go through about 10 nappies per day or 70 nappies per week it also allows you to spread the cost to start with.