What to Expect–You and Your Brand New Baby
Your baby is finally here! Can you believe it? It is simply amazing that this is the little being who has been growing inside of you these last nine months.
During these first weeks, lots of close, quiet cuddle time will help you get to know each other. While the two of you have been very close during your pregnancy, it does still take some time for you to begin your new relationship. Breastfeeding definitely helps this process along, especially because of the close skin-to-skin contact you share during your nursing sessions. Babywearing is another way that you can help facilitate the bonding process between you, your partner, and your new baby.
If siblings are in the picture, you may want to make sure to carve out some special time just them. Siblings can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of life with a newborn, and it is important to remember that this is a very big change for them, also. Try to involve them in all of the baby care taking place, and, of course, your partner can always take them on special outings to help make time for everyone. If possible, you may want to try to enlist a special relative or family friend the child enjoys to come and do a bit of the playing and other fun things that you are simply too tired to do right now.
During this initial time after birth, it is very important for you to rest and, toward that end, to accept the help of others. Your body has done a great deal of work to carry and birth your baby. Of course, if you had a C-section, you also have to recover from major surgery, but even after a vaginal birth, it is important to allow your body to rest and repair itself. If someone comes to visit, let that person do the dishes or a load of laundry, if they offer. Just make sure you don’t use “visiting time” to get things done around the house while your guest sits and holds the baby!
As far as breastfeeding is concerned, a few days after your baby is born, your milk will come in. It can take a bit for you and your baby to get used to breastfeeding. Nursing may be painful for you, at first, but this is normal. Your nipples have never been used quite like this before! You also may be dealing with engorgement. If you can express a bit of milk or take a hot shower, this will help. Your body is designed for this, and it will begin to adjust the milk production to suit your baby’s needs, but, again, the whole process is a new one, so it will take some time.
When a new baby enters a family, it is a very exciting and wonderful time, but it is also a time of change and getting used to all kinds of new things. Take it slowly, and enjoy this getting-to-know-you period.