As a first-time mom, you are going to have a lot of questions, concerns, and fears. Which is perfectly normal, because you are starting a new adventure. Most moms spend a lot of time doing research, reading articles and books, and talking to other moms to prepare themselves. If a doula is part of your birthing team, you can also rely on the knowledge they’ve gained when training to become a doula to help you prepare for motherhood. Here are a few things that every first-time mom needs to know when preparing to bring their new little one into the world.
Don’t Be Bothered by the Small Things
It is extremely easy to quickly become overwhelmed and stressed out by small things. Additionally, don’t beat yourself up over the small things and it’s okay to make a mistake or two along the way. Your baby isn’t going to remember that you were too tired to go for a walk to the park. In today’s world, we put a lot of pressure on parents, and especially moms. Your baby doesn’t have to listen to Mozart every day to be smart and if you have dirty onesies piling up in the corner it’s not the end of the world. Focus on what’s important, like making sure your baby is fed, safe, and loved.
Hold Your Baby as Much as You Want
Some people will say that if you hold your baby too much it can actually be harmful because they believe it can negatively impact your child’s independence and create attachment issues. But most moms and dads will tell you that you can’t hold your baby enough. When babies are first born, it is crucial that you hold your baby often to develop a bond. This bond will promote a feeling of security in your baby and help with breastfeeding and overall development. Don’t be afraid to hold your baby as often and as long as you like.
Always Trust Your Instincts
You have probably heard countless stories where mothers have felt something was wrong, and they were right. More often than not, your maternal instincts are spot on. Don’t ever hesitate to listen to your instincts and take action when necessary.
Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself
You can’t take care of your new baby if you don’t first take care of yourself. It’s okay to take a little time for yourself, for your sanity’s sake. If you need a break, ask a family member or friend to watch your baby for a couple of hours. Treat yourself to a spa day or a little bit of retail therapy to clear your head and focus on yourself. If it is not possible to get a break from your baby, use their nap time to focus on yourself, indulge in a movie or bubble bath. You have a child now, but that doesn’t mean your world has to consistently revolve around them. You still have the same needs you had before they came along. And being your best self will make you a better mom.
Having a baby can be a huge adjustment to your lifestyle, but with a little forethought, you can make the transition as smooth as possible. With the help of a woman who has become a doula with the intention of making your life easier, you are going to be prepared to take on motherhood.
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification. She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report, Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...