Monday, February 20, 2006

Baby Sleeping Method

When it comes to babies and sleep, you will get many opinions from everyone. They always feel that their opinions are the answers to your sleepless nights. This is one of those times that you will have to be firm and make your own decisions about what type of sleeping routine and schedule you are going to have. Many baby experts will tell you different methods of putting your baby to sleep. Which method is right and which is wrong? It all depends on your needs and the needs of your baby.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Postpartum Depression

You will need to look out for the way you feel so that those “baby blues” don’t creep up and shock you without warning. It is normal to have mixed feelings such as sad and happy for the first few weeks after post natal. Your body is experiencing some great physical transformation after the birth of your child. Your hormones will be changing and you are likely to feel not getting enough sleep. All of this will affect how you feel. You should be patient with yourself, understand that all these feelings are normal, and that in a couple of weeks things will feel better for you. If you are getting more depressed, and find it a challenge to care for yourself and your family, you should consult your physician to see if you are suffering from postpartum depression. Symptoms of postpartum depression include:

  • Overwhelming feelings of sadness and depression followed by crying.
  • Having little or no energy.
  • Feelings of guilt and uselessness.
  • Either don't care for your baby or too concerned and worried about your baby.
  • Weight gain followed by overeating.
  • Weight loss followed by not eating.
  • Fear of hurting yourself or your baby.
  • Insomnia.
  • Oversleeping.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

First Days at Home

During your first days at home it may be wise to limit the amount of visitors that you welcome into your home. Other than your immediate family and good friends you might want to ask other friends to wait a week or two before they descend on you with gifts and wanting to hold the new baby. You need time to recuperate and settle into the routine that a sleeping, feeding, and often crying baby brings into your life.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Welcome home, baby!

The first few days home from the hospital are just as important to you as they are to your baby. As new parents you will have gone through an exciting birth that will have left you breathless and exhilarated. As a new mother you will be emotionally and physically exhausted. As a new father you will be overwhelmed by your new responsibilities. The first days at home are a time to take a deep breath, sit back and relax, and take some time just for you.