subject: How To Deal With A Newborn Baby [print this page] Becoming a parent can take some adjusting to, especially the first time around. This article offers some ways to cope with a new born baby, giving you some ideas on how to meet their needs as well as your own.
The new born baby will depend on you for their survival. They need you to feed them and will let you know, in no uncertain terms, when they are hungry. They may wake you during the night, leaving you feeling tired and burnt out. You can assert some control over their feeding times though, making them more suitable to you. Giving them a good feed at 11pm should keep them quite until about 4, so you can fit a decent stretch of sleep during that time.
You never know when you are going to have to attend to your babies needs, so try and sleep when your baby sleeps and take any opportunities to rest that may arise.
Keep your domestic standards realistic. You may not be able to achieve the domestic perfection you once knew, so don't be too hard on yourself if you cannot find the time or energy to get everything done as quickly as before.
Rally your friends, neighbours and family to help you cope with your new demands. They may be able to share the workload, getting some shopping or cooking done for you, allowing you more time to rest or catch up.
Try not to spend all your time just meeting the needs of your new born. This may cause some resentment or jealousy to be harboured by the other loved ones in your life, such as your spouse or other members of your family.
Share the baby duties amongst all the family. Perhaps create a work rota, so one person does not become over burdened. Take it in turns to do the laundry, nappy changes or winding.
Lastly, take some time out for yourself. Give yourself some treats, such as a trip to the hairdressers or the spa.
I hope you find these tips on coping with a new born baby useful and you are able to meet both your own needs and those of your baby more effectively.
