Having a new baby is an exciting new moment indeed. However, along with the excitement can also come a considerable number of challenges. You may feel uneasy about whether you’re bonding enough with your baby or whether they’re getting the right amount of nutrition. They may cry for unreasonably long periods of time or leave you sleepless for nights on end.
The great news is that you’re not alone if you feel challenged. Plenty of moms have dealt with the same things you’re dealing with, and many others will continue to far into the future.
Take a look at some of the most common challenges that moms face and what you can do to handle them.
Exhaustion
The single most common complaint that new parents have is a lack of sleep. Not only is your sleep schedule irregular, but it’s incomplete. It’s not uncommon for new moms to put their babies in their cribs, thinking they’re off to sleep for at least a few hours, only to find that the baby starts screaming on the monitor a few moments later. Desperate moms may find themselves hopelessly trying to get them off to sleep to no avail.
The best way to deal with this is to try and share the load with your partner. If that’s not an option, then try to nap when your baby naps. Even though it may seem cliché and unreasonable to expect to sleep when your baby sleeps, sometimes it’s truly the only solution.
Body Issues
Having a baby puts your body through a considerable amount of changes. As a new mom, you may look at your body and wonder if it will ever be the same again. Whether it’s stretch marks, sagging breasts, or a cesarean scar, there are all sorts of reasons why you might feel out of touch with your body.
It’s important that you give yourself the time you need to feel your normal self again. Your body may never be exactly the same as it was before pregnancy; however, you won’t feel this out of source forever. Try to eat sensibly and walk as much as possible, and eventually, you’ll start to feel like yourself again.
Lack of Social Life
Before babies, it was easy to see your friends or get out and be social – or even do these things virtually. However, once your baby relies on a rigid sleep schedule, it’s harder to find moments to see your friends. True friends will come to your house since they understand it can be difficult to get out with the baby.
If possible, try to take turns being social with your spouse. Even though you might like to do things together, sometimes it’s healthier to get some time away without the baby on your own. Don’t panic, and remember, as your baby gets older, it will get easier and easier to have a social life.
