Coping With A New Baby

We are finally back after several weeks of not attending to our blog.  Our IT department, consisting of Rachel, just had a new baby girl.  We warmly welcome our new office baby, Addison.  That being said, it seemed like a good idea to talk about adjusting to a new baby, especially when it is the first child.  Whether your baby is planned, a happy accident, or a scary accident, there is still going to be a major adjustment.  Embrace the time you have with your child as an infant and toddler is actually quite brief and you can never recapture those times.  Obviously, your first adjustment was to your pregnancy.  Some women are blessed with an easy pregnancy and some are not.  If you had a rough pregnancy, separate that experience from the birth of your child.  It was not their fault or your fault; pregnancy is a medical condition and any medical condition can be smooth or rough.  The biggest adjustment that most people complain about is the lack of sleep, fatigue, and lack of opportunity to be spontaneous.  Sleep when your baby sleeps and challenge the guilt you might be feeling about sleeping during the day.  You need to catch up when and how you can.  The fatigue is related to the trauma your body has been through and your current lack of sleep.  

You are also going through some hormonal changes.  If you do not have someone to help you with the baby so you and your partner can get out, plan some outings that you can do with the baby.  It is not healthy to stay in the house all the time.  Strolls in the park or a walk through the mall are good options.  My favorite option was always the book store.  Postpartum depression is another issue faced by many women.  There are many different manifestations of depression from going through the motions and just not enjoying anything, to feeling hopeless and suicidal.  Many women feel guilty that they do not feel bonded to their infant.  It is not a lack of bonding, but an inability to feel pleasure.  Please do not look at this as a character weakness.  Your body has just been inhabited and vacated by an alien being and your body is trying to adjust and may just need a little help.  Yes, you may be able to tough it out, but why be depressed and/or anxious for six to twelve months when there is help readily available.  In addition to medication, therapy can also be very helpful with building your confidence and coping skills.  Babies and toddlers can be a lot of fun if you just let yourself go with the moment.  Seeing the world through new eyes is a real treat. 

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