7 Tips for Coping with First-time Parenting Challenges
As a first-time parent, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed. Your life is changing and there are a whole heap of new challenges coming your way, which is the perfect recipe for stress. But, first-time parenthood can also be a joyful time full of love, care, and rest, as long as you know how to handle the bumps along the way.
To prepare you for first-time parenthood, we’ve put together some top strategies, coping mechanisms, and things to remember. From family planning to breastfeeding, let’s dive in.
1. Have Open Conversations Around Family Planning
If you have a partner, family planning is always important. Not only is it good to know you’re both on the same page, but you’ll need to start thinking about contraception again after giving birth. You can get pregnant just a few weeks postpartum if you’re not breastfeeding. It’s also likely your doctor, doula, or midwife will ask you questions about family planning in the weeks after giving birth, making it a great idea to have some answers ready. We recommend an open conversation with your partner to get ahead of family planning challenges. This can include exploring contraceptive options, like the contraceptive coil or ovulation tracking. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll also need to seek advice on what contraceptives are suitable for you and when you can begin using them.
2. Be Proactive With Postpartum Soreness
After giving birth, your body is likely to feel a little (or very) sore. It’s smart to be prepared for this by putting plans in place.
This can include bringing in extra help for the first few days or weeks after giving birth. You might hire a professional cleaner to reduce the need for physical labor, create a plan with your partner to support you, or ask family and friends for help. It’s also smart to find solutions that can relieve soreness. The Postpartum Soreness Kit, for example, has plenty of essentials to calm your aches and pains, including our soothing Perineal Balm which targets common postpartum soreness and swelling, and our anti-inflammatory Sitz Bath which promotes healing.
Other must-have items to help your recovery include:
Pillows or padded rings to sit on
Ice packs
Pain relief
Loose clothing
Postpartum underwear and pads
3. Practice Consistent Self-Care
As first-time parents, you might face some mental health challenges on your new journey. Postpartum intrusive thoughts can trigger anxiety and stress, for example. This can be prevalent in both moms and dads. There’s also the concern of postpartum depression, which affects 1 in 7 women and can be debilitating. This means that, while caring for your newborn, you also need to be caring for yourself. Try to maintain healthy activities daily that improve mental wellness, such as:
Setting aside time to shower and get dressed every morning
Establishing a morning or evening routine
Going out for a walk
Cooking healthy dinners
Repeating positive mantras
Reading, journaling, and meditating
Prioritize rest and sleep, too, knowing that when you feel good you’re better able to care for your child.
4. Look into Parenting Groups
The newborn stage can leave parents feeling isolated and lonely, with 66% of American moms and dads struggling due to the demands of parenthood. This is where parenting groups come in. Designed as a social event for parents with young children, these groups encourage learning, bonding with your child, and building social connections. Most towns have established parenting groups that you can join, giving you a reason to get out of the house and meet new people. You’ll also find a lot of support at these sessions, with fellow first-time parents often the most sympathetic to your struggles. Many parenting groups are educational, too. From guest speakers to an experienced host, you can learn tips and ask questions to make your journey as a first-time parent easier.
5. Tips for First-Time Breastfeeders
Not all new moms will choose to breastfeed. If you do, though, there’s plenty of great advice out there to make your experience simpler and gentler, both for you and your baby. We recommend trying plenty of positions and attachments within the first few days of breastfeeding while your breasts are softer (they’ll become harder as your colostrum is replaced with mature milk). Be patient, too, and if you feel yourself getting stressed then take a break and calm down before you try again. If you’re worried about your milk supply, try Organic Mother’s Milk Tea, which contains herbs that encourage lactation as a natural way to increase your milk production. It’s not recommended that your baby has any dummies or teats while you start breastfeeding. Not only could this confuse your newborn, but it can also lead to increased demand for breast milk, reducing your supply.
6. Create a Routine for a Crying Baby
Postpartum rage can be a problem for moms and dads, with sleep deprivation and stress creating the perfect storm for anger. In particular, you might experience rage when your baby won’t stop crying. It’s smart to be proactive and reduce the chance of anger and stress by creating a routine for when your baby cries. Having set steps that you carry out can reduce feelings of helplessness and frustration, creating a comfortable routine for you and your newborn.
For example, your routine might follow the order of:
Check if your baby’s nappy needs changing
Make sure they aren’t too hot or too cold
Try feeding and burping
Walk around slowly while cuddling them (no sudden movements!)
Play a specific, calming song (the same song every time)
Try a warm bath (you’ll quickly learn whether this soothes your baby or increases the crying)
Carry out a baby massage
Over time, you’ll perfect your routine based on what you know works best for your baby.
7. Ask For Help When You Need It
Your friends, family, and partner may not always offer help when you need it. Rather than waiting for them to come to you, reach out for support. This could include asking someone to do a bit of shopping for you or come over to babysit for an hour so you can take a nap. Or, perhaps you just need someone to answer the phone so that you can vent. None of these tasks means you’re failing; in fact, it’s the opposite. A new parent who takes their and their baby’s needs seriously enough to know when they need additional support is doing exactly what they should be. Good job, moms and dads!
Final Thoughts
Being a first-time parent is by no means an easy job, but it is incredibly rewarding. Just remember to prioritize self-care, take postpartum health seriously, and always seek support when you need it.
Looking for more advice for new parents? Take a peek at the latest stories on CODDLE’s blog for plenty of helpful articles.on postpartum, pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting.