The first year of parenthood is a memorable time. You’re getting to know your baby and becoming
acclimated to your role as a parent. You
learn how to feed your baby, how to clothe him or her, and even how to medicate
your baby. Every few weeks, you check with
your pediatrician’s office to chart your baby’s growth. It is, in fact, an incredible period of
growth for both you and your baby.
However, there is also a great deal of stress associated with new
parenthood. You often have to toss aside
your pre-conceived notions as you actually experience motherhood or
fatherhood. You may be stressed out by
the endless diapers and mounting piles of laundry…by the constant feedings…and
by your newborn’s continual crying. At
times, you may even wonder whether you’re really cut out for parenthood.
The important thing to remember is that every new parent feels
stress. It is, in fact, part of the
job. And the stress will continue once
your child is in school, once your child becomes a teenager, and once your
child starts college. In essence, the
moment your baby is born begins a lifetime of stress for you and your mate.
How can you best combat new baby-stress?
Recognizing the amount of stress you’re under is an important first
step. Many new parents become frustrated
and irritable, never realizing that they are simply reacting to stress. Given the fact that new parents often get
little sleep, the stress can be easily compounded.
Once you recognize your stress, it is important to engage in some stress
relief. For many parents, this will mean
calling Grandma and Grandpa to take over during the rough times. Just a few hours away from your baby can help
you to re-charge your batteries, enabling you to improve your coping
skills. It can be particularly helpful
if you and your mate arrange a date night while your baby is with the
grandparents. This couple time can be
extremely relaxing and beneficial for your relationship.
A simple technique you can use is to play lullabies—not just for your
baby, but for yourself as well. There is
something so soothing about a pleasant lullaby—it can take a great deal of the
tension away. Singing with your baby can
also help to cement the bond between you and can help to eliminate stress. You might even try dancing with your
baby—the best dances include both parents!
Taking the time to relax with your baby can help to reduce the tension
you feel.
Books can be another helpful resource.
There are a number of books on the market that tell you what to expect
during your baby’s first year. For
instance, many offer doctor’s recommendations on when it is necessary to call
the pediatrician, and when a home remedy will work just as well. Reading such “baby how-to” books can take a
great deal of the stress out of first year parenting.
Arranging play dates for your baby can also be quite therapeutic. In some cases, you might be able to drop your
baby off at a friend’s house while you do your shopping, cleaning, or other
chores. In other cases, arranging a play
date offers you the opportunity to get together with other mothers and fathers
who share similar stresses. Just talking
with other parents might help to ease your worries tremendously.
Another tried-and-true formula for dealing with new baby stress is to
put the baby in a stroller and start walking.
Just a short walk around the block can help to clear your head, helping
you to better deal with the demands of new parenthood. You might even enlist a friend to walk with
you. Some mothers and fathers even buy
special jogging strollers so that they can run while their babies roll along. Such exercise can be quite relaxing,
especially after a hard day around the play pen.
Your new baby should be the light of your life. Therefore, you shouldn’t let stress ruin your
relationship. By employing some simple
coping strategies, you can learn to love your new life—despite all the stresses
involved. You’ll wake up each day
refreshed, and ready to take on the day’s challenges.
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