The First Week with Your Baby
The first week of your baby's life brings big adjustments for both of you. You are adjusting to being a mother and caring for your baby and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. It is a time of great joy -- and possibly immense fear! Although you've been preparing for the birth of your baby for months, now he is here and depending on you for everything which can seem overwhelming. Don't expect too much of yourself during these first days! If anyone offers you help -- take it!
During your baby's first few weeks of life, he will be concentrating on getting to know you and his surroundings. Your baby needs to be handled so that life outside the womb seems as little different as possible to life inside the womb. Your baby's needs, while they may seem overwhelming to you, are really simple: food, warmth and comfort from cuddling. Wrap him snugly and warmly, hold him closely, handle him slowly, and feed him when he's hungry. Your baby will have the routing and sucking reflexes as well as tongue thrust. These are needed to get nourishment from the breast or bottle. You can also use this time to bond with your baby with lots of skin to skin contact.
Whether you decide to breast or bottle feed, feeding in the first few weeks is not an effortless process. Try to have early feeding sessions in a quiet setting with as few distractions as possible. Make sure you are in a comfortable position as it takes new babies a while to eat and you don't want to end up stiff and sore. Cuddle and caress your baby as feeding time is a wonderful opportunity to show your baby how much he is loved.
If you are breastfeeding, be patient while you and your baby are getting the hang of it! The benefits of breastfeeding are many and in order for it to be successful, it is important to start out right. Keep in mind though it may take several weeks until you both feel comfortable and get a feeding schedule down.
Most new moms feel and experience:
- Exhaustion!
- Bloody vaginal discharge for the first week or so
- Discomfort or pain in the perineal area if you had a vaginal delivery
- Incision pain or numbness if you had a cesarean delivery
- Abdominal cramping (afterpains) as the uterus contracts
- Elation or depression or swings between both
- Breast discomfort or engorgement
- Fears about your adequacy as a mother
- Profuse sweating after the first couple of days
Although it may be tempting to try to be a 'supermom', now is not the time. The best advice that I received as an new mom was to accept the help of others, eat regular meals and sleep when the baby sleeps. Now it's my turn to pass that advice on to you.
About The Author
Anne Cavicchi is a Canadian wife and mother of one boy and two step-daughters. She also owns Annie's Maternity Corner where you'll find everything you need for pregnancy and baby! Great products, articles, information and more to see you through pregnancy and baby's first years at Annie's. http://www.maternitycorner.com
 Google News Updated : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:55:22 GMT Ore. man completes flight of fancy _ in lawn chair - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - CAMBRIDGE, Idaho (AP) - Using his trusty BB gun to help him return to Earth, a 48-year-old gas station owner flew a lawn chair rigged with helium-filled balloons more than 200 miles across the Oregon desert Saturday, landing in a field in Idaho. Video: Ore. Man Uses Balloons and a Lawn Chair to Fly Believe it or not, he's lounging on air Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:50:31 GMT Hippie Arrests Draw ACLU’s Attention - New York Times
New York Times - By AP CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union said on Saturday that it would investigate the actions of federal officers who had arrested five members of the Rainbow Family in western Wyoming during the group’s annual gathering. ACLU plans to investigate Rainbow Family treatment ACLU to investigate Rainbow Family treatment Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:40:38 GMT Argentine Lower House Passes Grain Export-Tax Plan (Update3) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Eliana Raszewski July 5 (Bloomberg) -- Argentina's lower house of congress approved the government's plan to increase taxes on exports of grains and oilseeds, risking a resumption of three months of strikes by farmers. Export Tax That Angers Farmers Advances in Argentina Argentina lawmakers approve farm export tax hike Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:41:30 GMT Analysis: McCain struggles to regain footing - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - WASHINGTON (AP) - John McCain calls himself an underdog. That may be an understatement. The GOP presidential candidate trails Democrat Barack Obama in polls, organization and money while trying to succeed a deeply unpopular fellow Republican in a year ... Rural voters lean to the GOP Neither Obama nor McCain meets Energy Party standard Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:40:55 GMT Obama "puzzled" by Iraq comment frenzy - Reuters
Reuters - By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Saturday his plan to end the Iraq war was unchanged and he was puzzled by the sharp reaction to his statement this week that he ... Obama struggles to thread needle on Iraq Obama Refines the Blame on Iraq Miscue Publ.Date : Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:08:23 GMT McCain Battles a Nemesis, the Teleprompter - New York Times
New York Times - Mary Altaffer/AP By MARK LEIBOVICH LAS VEGAS —Senator John McCain was performing relatively smoothly as he unveiled his energy plan. McCain Campaign, in Relaunch, Seeks Tighter Message Focus McCain Campaign on Obama and Iraq Publ.Date : Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:31:52 GMT Smallest planet shrinks in size - BBC News
BBC News - The smallest planet in the Solar System has become even smaller, studies by the Messenger spacecraft have shown. Data from a flyby of Mercury in January 2008 show the planet has contracted by more than one mile (1.5km) in diameter over its history. First Results From Messenger's Mercury Flyby Mercury is shrinking, NASA craft finds; a cool clue: 'lobate scarps' Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:45:26 GMT Web Site Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Your Gemini Baby..May 21 - June 20Gemini children are lively... Read More Here you will learn how to make and where to... Read More All parents want something absolutely unique for their baby. Be... Read More Having a baby can be one the most life-changing experiences... Read More Sleeping..A newborn baby spends most of her time on two... Read More When you're holding a baby shower one of the most... Read More Are you looking for cute baby names? This article explains... Read More First of all, in case you do not know, what... Read More Your friend's having a baby. What an exciting time for... Read More Many of the things listed below will help with your... Read More Setting the Stage - Reading is One of the Big... Read More Baby Shower Favors should be at every baby shower for... Read More Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One... Read More If you're a new Mom who is nursing your baby... Read More You have a baby shower planned for a friend; you... Read More Music is a wonderful way for you to calm and... Read More The first thing you should do when trying to choose... Read More As new parents, we all want what's best for our... Read More Just like Willy Nelson, I could not wait to get... Read More Every mother wants an enchanting baby shower for her new... Read More Baby shower cakes are terrific centerpieces for showers. Guests always... Read More There's an epidemic in our culture. Have you heard of... Read More One of the most exciting events an expecting mother looks... Read More This article has information for the novice as well as... Read More How To Clone The Perfect BabySheep, Cows, pigs, mice, donkeys,... Read More
Adsense
websites
Babies Born During The Sign Of Gemini
Baby Shower Centerpieces That Double as a Gift!
Unique Baby Bedding - Because Every Baby is Special
Tips For a First-Time Mom
A Babys Sleeping Pattern
A Baby Shower Cake is the Highlight of the Baby Shower
Popular Baby Names
Preparing A Layette For Your New Baby
Showered with Mom-to-Be Merriment
14 Steps To Reducing Your Infants Reflux
Reading to Children ? Are We Doing It Right?
Baby Shower Favors to Spice up Your Baby Shower
Advantages Of A Sheepskin Underlay For Babies
Tips for Discreet Breastfeeding in Public
Liven Up Your Baby Shower With A Few Games
Using Music To Calm Your Baby
Choose The Perfect Baby Shower Gift
Under Carpet Heating In The Nursery ? To Help Your Baby Sleep Through The Night And More!
On the Road Again
Baby Showers To Remember
How to Make a Lovely Baby Shower Cake
Its Not Too Late to Vaccinate Against the Fear of Failure Flu
Planning the Perfect Baby Shower
Planning a Baby Shower
How To Clone The Perfect Baby
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Tips for Discreet Breastfeeding in Public
If you're a new Mom who is nursing your baby... Read More
Wooden High Chairs Offer Simplicity, Beauty, and Practicality for Todays Busy Families
Wooden high chairs with their looks and functionality make a... Read More
Baby Shower Themes For Your Special Baby Shower
Do you want to provide a baby shower that is... Read More
Hello World: Babys Third Month Guide
Remember how you wished your baby would learn there is... Read More
How to Find Those Elusive Baby Gifts That Are Just Right
Baby Gifts from gift certificates to very expensive toys. Something... Read More
Five Easy Steps to Potty Train Your Baby
No?Don't let your child pee or poop every where and... Read More
How to Meet the Dietary Needs of Babies ? Health, Palate, and Lifestyle
More and more studies are proving that food has a... Read More
Aargh those Pesky Sleep Problems!
It's 2am and your baby is up for the third... Read More
Potty Training Doll - How Do You Use A Potty Training Doll To Potty Train You Child?
Your heard about using a potty training doll that drinks... Read More
How to Choose a Car Seat That Meets The Needs of Your Baby
There are many types of car seats available on the... Read More
Oh Baby! Choosing the Right Baby Name
Naming a baby is no easy task. However, the following... Read More
Should Baby Bedding Be Tight or Loose?
Many parents already know that it is better not to... Read More
Your Little Gourmet: Babys Fifth Month Guide
Baby smiled her real smiles at you and you were... Read More
Baby Shower Hosting 101
Are you ready to host the best baby shower ever... Read More
Backpacking With Children: My Own Adventures
When I had my firstborn I thought I new everything... Read More
Baby Name Trends: From Classic to Hip
Goodbye Bertha, Hello Kaitlyn! The top baby names of today... Read More
The Personality Traits of a Sagittarius Baby
Your Sagittarius Baby..November 22 - December 21 Young Sagittarians are... Read More
Baby Bedding
When you choose a baby bedding, choose the one which... Read More
The First Week with Your Baby
The first week of your baby's life brings big adjustments... Read More
On the Road Again
Just like Willy Nelson, I could not wait to get... Read More
When To Start Teaching Your Baby (2)
With you or without you, your baby will be learning... Read More
Will Kids Eat Vegetables? Yes, They Will!
You have made the decision to grow your own vegetables.... Read More
Creative Potty Training
When I was potty training my two young boys, I... Read More
Baby Shower Invitations Add Style To Baby Announcements
Baby shower invitations set the tone for the big dayBaby... Read More
Mobiles For Babies Can Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Mobiles are well known for its effectiveness in capturing and... Read More
Babies & Toddler |