Becoming a new mom is an exciting time, as you get to meet your new baby and hold him or her for the first time. It takes a lot of learning and a lot of patience to even attempt to figure out what all needs to be done, which makes this exciting time also feel stressful and overwhelming. If you’re a recently new mother, you probably also have many people telling you what you should and shouldn’t do which can too be overwhelming at times. So here are five ways you can attempt to relieve some common new mom stresses.
1. Find a therapist you feel comfortable with who can guide you.
We don’t talk about it enough, but postpartum depression is very real and many new moms are affected by it. If you’re experiencing signs of depression or stress, doing a quick online search of professionals in your area such as, “therapist in NYC” can offer you a list of the mental health providers near you that can help. In order to best take care of your new baby, you need to prioritize your mind and mental health first. Your therapist may decide to treat you with cognitive behavioral therapy or other effective techniques.
2. Get the right equipment to support you on your breastfeeding journey.
If you decide to try breastfeeding over formula, then there are certain things you will need, such as hands-free pumps, a Medela breast pump, pump bras, nipple shields, and much more. Breastfeeding can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but you need support from those around you as well as the proper equipment. If you are a working mom, you will need to be able to pump during the day and a hands-free pumping bra permits you to continue working while you pump. You will also need spare pump parts in case something breaks, and flanges also need to be replaced routinely for the pump to work correctly. Make sure you also have cleaning equipment on hand that can efficiently clean all the components of your pump.
3. Search for a daycare provider that you feel you can trust.
One big stress for new mothers is leaving their baby once they go back to work. Instead of rushing to find a daycare provider right before you need to go back, consider starting your search while you are still pregnant. This gives you time to thoroughly vet potential providers, interview their references, and learn more about them and how they work with children. Make sure they have proper licensing, as you will then know that they are regulated by the state, and you can claim those childcare expenses on your tax return.
4. Find a local mom’s support group that you can meet up with.
Another form of therapy is support groups. These can be great in helping you if you feel like you are struggling. Other new mothers are probably experiencing the same stresses that you are facing and you can help each other out with coping strategies or watching each other’s kids so that you can each get a bit of time to yourself when it’s needed.
5. Establish a routine for you and your new baby.
Finally, make sure that you and your baby have a routine that you generally follow each day, and don’t feel guilty about telling someone that they can’t interrupt that routine. You need to focus on caring for your baby and yourself during this time, and that means sticking to that routine as much as possible. If you need to pump every four hours, then make sure you have that time set aside so you don’t end up feeling miserable or experiencing engorgement. If your baby needs to nap at 12:00pm, make sure to keep that time open for their nap.
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