The first few months after childbirth can be overwhelming for new parents. While the joy of welcoming a baby is unparalleled, it also brings numerous challenges. From learning how to breastfeed to managing sleep deprivation and handling household chores, new parents often find themselves stressed and exhausted.
Some of the most common issues (or rather anxieties) new mothers will face are:
- Learning how to breastfeed.
- The amount of breast milk produced is not adequate.
- Learning how to burp, bathe and put the baby to sleep.
- Difficulty in understanding baby cues and why the baby cries.
- Lack of sleep and missed meals.
- Piling up of dirty nappies and unattended house chores.
- Lack of self-care.
- Judgement and criticism from family.
- Exhaustion from lack of rest.
- Persistent worry whether the baby is growing properly.
This guide will walk you through the common postpartum struggles and practical ways to navigate them smoothly. Let’s get through this one step at a time:
1) Learning How to Breastfeed
Many mothers face difficulties with breastfeeding, including improper latching and low milk supply. Read and watch videos on breastfeeding techniques during pregnancy.
Try to get a hold of the technique within the first few days following childbirth. Otherwise, the newborn will get used to the wrong technique or bottle, which you’ll find difficult to correct.
If you’re not satisfied with the technique or the baby is not latching properly, take advice from a midwife or a person with good experience or seek help from the nearest hospital lactation management centre. In almost all Sri Lankan government medical centres, there is a specialized unit dedicated to mothers.
Try techniques that increase milk flow like breast or back massaging. Drink lots of liquids (milk/ Enfomama) while breastfeeding. Always believe that you have milk and everything will go fine.
2) Burping
Burping is crucial to prevent gas and discomfort in newborns.
Learning different burping positions before delivery can be helpful.
If the baby seems fussy or uncomfortable after feeding, try different burping methods. Go through correct burping techniques prior to delivery.
If you have any doubts, seek help.
3) Understanding Baby Cues
Newborns communicate through cues, and understanding them can reduce fussiness. Look out for hunger cues such as sucking on hands or turning towards the breast. Sleep cues include rubbing eyes, yawning, or becoming fussy.
Paying attention to these signs can help prevent excessive crying and distress.
Go through videos to get an idea about hunger cues, signs that the baby is sleepy and signs that the baby has to burp. This will prevent excessive crying out of fussiness.
4) Bathing
Bathing a newborn requires preparation and care. Gather all essentials before starting the bath. In Sri Lanka, it is advised to bathe babies during the warmest time of the day using gentle baby products and maintaining a comfortable room temperature is important.
There are a few methods to bathe a baby.
5) Self Care
This is vital yet neglected most of the time. If the mother stresses out, it can affect the baby adversely. Unknowingly, you could take out all your pent-up anger and frustration on the baby. Under-nutrition and reduced water intake can lead to reduced milk production in the mother.
Therefore, self-care also plays a major role in caring for a baby.
Drink plenty of liquids and don’t skip meals.
While the baby is asleep, the mother should sleep.
It’s always good to have an extra set of helping hands around the house when it comes to raising a kid. That way, looking after the baby, laundry, cooking, and other house chores can be split among individuals. Its ok to ask for help when it’s too much to handle.
6) Baby’s Growth and Well-being.
Many parents worry about their baby’s weight, feeding, and overall growth. Monitor your baby’s diaper output (urine and stool) as an indicator of adequate feeding. Regular pediatric check-ups help track development milestones. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, consult a doctor.
7) Judgement and Criticism from peers.
It’s natural for the parents to be pressured by overly concerned grandparents. As a new parent, it’s good to have people who give advice, but judgment and criticism are also to be expected. You can always accept what is right and turn a blind eye to irrelevant details since whatever remarks from family are in the best interest of the baby. If it’s causing too much distress, it’s better to communicate it with the family rather than hold it in. Remember, parenting styles differ, and what works for others may not work for you.
The postpartum period is a time of immense change, learning, and adaptation. While it comes with its fair share of challenges, being prepared and seeking support can make the journey smoother. Remember to be kind to yourself, trust your instincts, and embrace this phase with patience and confidence.
