So you have given birth to a beautiful baby, checked out of hospital and you find yourself at home, with a newborn. You have so much love for your little bundle of joy; however, you may be feeling little weary and likely to be slightly overwhelmed with the changes that you and your baby are now facing.
Enter The Fourth Trimester. Your baby has spent months living and growing inside of you, where they felt safe, cozy and very warm. When you think of it this way, it seems only natural that they have some troubles adjusting to their new world, full of bright lights, noises and sensations that they are experiencing for the very first time.
At Queen Bee we are firm believers of the 4th Trimester, so naturally, we want to help and do what we can to support new mamas as they go through this phase with their newborns. So, we have put some of our top tips for thriving during this time of your life, enjoy!
1. Surrender
It seems simple enough, but as mothers, sometimes surrendering to what is going on around us can be challenging. Understand that this phase of having a brand new baby does not last long, so sit back and soak it all up while it does last- that pile of washing can wait!
2. Get the help you need
Everyone needs help after they have a baby. This is not a time to be a hero; you don’t need to prove anything to anyone.
Accept home cooked meals from friends and family who offer, have your partner help with the washing. Whatever form of assistance is available to you, accept it, and never be too shy or afraid to reach out for help when you need it.
3. Sleep
This may or may not come as a surprise to you, but newborns sleep, a lot. During the first few weeks, be sure to catch up on all the sleep you can. Enjoy those daytime naps beside your baby while they snooze in their bassinet. Trust us, it won’t always be this easy to steal those moments of shut eye, so take it while you can.
4. Dose up on good foods
During this time your body is very busy, not only recovering from childbirth, but also producing milk. Your hormones are going crazy and you might be up and down all night losing sleep too. During this time it is so important to be looking after yourself and eating healthy, nourishing foods, as well as drinking plenty of water.
5. Baby wearing
Last but certainly not least, on those days where you simply cannot put baby down to get anything done (including making yourself lunch), wear your baby. Invest in a wrap, sling or carrier to keep your baby close to you. Your baby will feel calm and sleepy as they drift off to the sound of your heartbeat and your warmth, and you can enjoy a few moments peace and continue to bond with baby.
