Having a New Baby
Having a baby can be a wonderful experience, but a lot of the time new families are feeling worried, tired, and overwhelmed too. Babies don’t come with instructions, and it’s important to remember that everyone who does this is learning something new, whether it’s their first or fifth baby!
As a new parent, you're bound to have questions on everything from getting started with breastfeeding to washing and bathing your baby and changing their nappy.
Adjusting to Having a New Baby
- Exhaustion while adapting to a demanding sleep/feed schedule.
- Physical demands of breastfeeding – pain associated with latching-on, cracked nipples and mastitis.
- Recovery from birth whilst caring for a new-born.
- The demands of running a household while managing your own and baby’s needs
- Lack of confidence in your ability to understand baby’s needs.
- Navigating the expectations and advice of family and friends
- Change to your personal identity – this can include loss of your work role and status, loss of social life, loss of sense of freedom.
- Change in your relationship with your partner – this can include negotiating differing ideas on how to care for baby; changes in attitude and needs towards physical intimacy.
- Change in family dynamics with the addition of another baby.
Top Tips For Life With a New Baby
Here's a quick guide to everything you need to know about caring for your new baby during those exhausting but wonderful early weeks.
- Don’t try to be perfect – there’s no such thing!
- Try not to feel pressured by what other people are doing. Work out what works best for you and your family.
- Ask for help when you need it. Having a baby can be really stressful as you get to know your little one and adapt to life with them. Be kind to yourself, and ask friends, family or your local community groups for the help you need.
Watch this video to learn what to expect in the first few days of having a baby.
Support in Sefton
To explore more support available to you in Sefton please go the Sefton Directory