How to Survive the First Year of Being a Mother

Being a mother for the first time can be overwhelming. They are so many things to learn to be able to perform the role effectively. Not to mention that parenting and motherhood are some of the hardest jobs in the world. It takes time and experience to know the things that will make a good parent. With the responsibilities that come with being a mother, first time mothers may experience difficulties dealing with such especially during the first year of motherhood.

The first year of motherhood is the time when mothers are just learning the things that they should be doing as a parent. During this time, they learn some of the things that are good for their babies as well as those that are not. Moreover, it is also the time when the emotional, physical, and mental well-beings of mothers are tested. Babies are known to be the bundle of joy of couples. They bring happiness and gratification to couples. However, taking care of babies can also bring frustration, exasperation, and anxiety. New mothers have to deal with the fussiness, mood swings, and feeding problems of their babies. Surviving the first year of being a mother may be difficult, but they are still ways to ease this difficulty.

Ask Advice

Since new mothers may not have all the knowledge about parenting, they can seek the advice of experienced mothers. They can be their friends, neighbors, and relatives. If they want, they can also seek the help of health care professionals. They can give them pieces of advice on how to take care of the baby, to bathe them, and to feed them. They can also share some tips on how to cope with various problems that are commonly experienced by infants as well as on how to raise a responsible children. However, new mothers should be willing to accept constructive criticism. They should weigh things up and always choose the advice or opinions that they believe is best for their children.

Expect and Embrace New Changes

Being a mother changes the lives of women in so many ways. They may no longer do the things that they used to enjoy when they are still single. There are certain sacrifices that they have to make and changes that they have to embrace to dutifully perform they new role. They have to make adjustment in their lives to accommodate the needs of their babies. It is also important that they take time to adjust to this new situation and let go of their former self and life.

Stop Making Comparisons

No mothers are the same. Each of them has her own way of taking care and raising their children. They use different parenting styles, strategies, and techniques. For this reason, it is not appropriate that mothers compare themselves with other mothers with regards to their parenting styles. Mothers should be able to trust their instincts and follow them when necessary.

Likewise, it is also not a good idea to compare their babies with other babies. The baby's development varies. Some babies may take longer to crawl or sit than other babies. Instead of making comparisons, new mothers can just enjoy every change and development that is happening in their babies as time goes by.

Have Some "ME" Time

Motherhood may take most of the time that mothers have in a day. Aside from their other duties, mothers have to constantly monitor their babies. However, it is important that mothers take some time for themselves. They can use this time to do the things that they love doing or to pamper themselves. It is also important to rekindle the romance that they have with their partners and somehow lessen the strain brought by motherhood on their relationship.

Have Enough Rest and Sleep

Aside from the "ME" time, it is also important that mothers have enough rest and sleep. Performing the duties of mothers can drain one's energy. It can also deprive mothers the sleep they need. Mothers should understand that having not enough rest and sleep can affect the way they manage their lives. They can impair their judgment, which can result to making poor decisions.

As much as possible, mothers should make the most of their free time to rest and sleep. It would be better if they pattern their sleeping schedule with their babies' sleeping schedule. This way, they are also energized by the time their babies wake up. It would also help if they ask the help of their partners in taking care of the baby. They can take turns so that each of them will have the time to rest.

Motherhood is challenging especially during the first year of the baby. But, it is also a rewarding experience. Since babies do not remain babies forever, mothers just have to enjoy every moment that they have with their children.

Learn how to deal with various aspects of motherhood. Visit MomsWise for more tips on motherhood and parenting.

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