Why did the staff let me leave the hospital with this helpless little creature? Such were my thoughts the day I took my baby home. Newborns are so different than the cute, chubby babies I had babysat for long ago and this baby was totally my responsibility! I was hit hard by reality it was me who was the parent now. I found that even after giving birth I still did not have much confidence in my parenting ability. How did my mother do it? It did not seem possible I could be as capable as she? The panic began to set in.
I found that placing my baby into the car seat was quite a feat. We had bought the best baby travel system we could find. The three in one feature of locking into the stroller, into the car, or just as an infant carrier was quite a bonus. So perfect when purchased, the infant seat seemed huge that first day! My heart believed she was as safe if not safer in my arms than alone in a car seat! My husband and a little bit of logic managed to convince me to let go. However, no matter how you place them in a car seat, newborns scrunch down into one little corner. This is a cute phase which lasts until baby gets some muscle tone and is more able to handle sitting. You can purchase additional padded support for your baby for use with the first weeks of amoeba life .
I knew I needed rest but I was torn between the rest I needed and being with my new baby. And she was always hungry. At first, finding a place in our home for nursing was a bit difficult. It is up to mom to find the position that works best for both herself and her baby. Some people use ring slings, fabric carriers that allow you to carry the baby around with you. Baby can be positioned nicely for nursing with a correctly adjusted ring sling. I preferred to use my ring sling as a convenient hands free carrier. After some trial and error over several feedings, I found the rocking chair to be my best option for nursing.
I could not believe how many times my baby needed changing. Newborns have an output capacity that shames the most efficient factory. I had chosen to use Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers. It was a good thing they fit snugly. Some interesting diapering issues arise from a a liquid only diet. Most of the biggest diaper issues occurred in the first week. Be prepared for the unexpected is the motto you will live by! For me, the most challenging part of cloth diapering was the fastening. Of course they will not work at all if you do not fasten them quickly enough!
Even though the first few days home are challenging, they are the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Adaptability is the key to the first months. You will be tested at every phase your child reaches. I found myself consistently calling upon all my resources sometimes just pretending to be as capable as my mother. One day I realized she had probably been pretending as well that day I realized I was a parent too.
Author Resource:
Maria Cummings is a mom that has devoted herself to helping kids and families in the community. As Manager of Bustling Baby, Maria enjoys sharing her experience of natural parenting with new parents and supports parents in finding the best natural baby products at ==> http://www.BustlingBaby.com