One of the most exciting things to happen in life is having a baby. Even those who choose not to be parents can bask in the joy of nieces and nephews being born. But, if you are the mother who has just given birth, you have a lot ahead of you. And you have to know how to handle it. Your life is about to irreversibly change and you need to know how to look after your body after you have had a baby exit from it!
There are some things that you may be experiencing when you have a baby that no one tells you. Often because they don’t want to put you off of the experience. Whether you have made plans to go out or not, you need to think about how you plan to face the new changes ahead of you.
From hair loss treatments that you won’t have heard of until now to the different yells of your new baby, there are changes ahead of you that will shock and surprise you! Below, we’ve got a list of ten things that you might expect after you’ve had a baby.
Leaving the house takes longer than it ever has.
This is physically exhausting. You used to just be able to grab your keys and leave the house, but now you have a baby to consider at the same time. Now, you don’t just go. You’ll have to prepare a bag, feed and burp and change the baby, wrap them up warm and possibly start all over again when they decide that’s the moment to dump. After all that, you will have to prepare yourself and get yourself ready. Which also means making sure that you have everything you physically need as well as brush your hair.
You will forget how to love your partner.
It’s a real thing. When a baby comes into your life, your whole body is consumed by the idea of loving this little creature that for a moment, you might forget that you loved your partner first. Your heart will expand but there is a feeling of crisis that comes when you feel for a moment like you can’t love them both. It may sound ridiculous, but it’s the most real feeling you will ever cope with.
Your boobs won’t know what hit them.
Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, you will feel the physical effects either way. You’re either going to get used to the constant contact of breastfeeding, or you’re going to feel the heavy effects of breasts that have no baby feeding from them. Preparation is key here and you need support as much as possible. It’s always a smart idea to research lactation specialists and consultants before the baby is born. They will be there to help you to be at your best while you are feeding your children.
Everyone will want to know how the baby is.
Whether this is your first or your fifth baby, everyone is going to ask you how the baby is, is it sleeping or eating, how heavy it is. There are so many questions and most of them can be pretty intrusive in a time of your life where you are going to feel bombarded by questions and information. You need to think about how you to prepare for these questions. Make people aware that you will share information when you are ready. Not when they demand it of you.
Your expectations may be unrealistic.
For yourself, you need to remember that this is a huge life change. It’s going to take some getting used to and you need to give yourself the time to get used to it. A baby is a rocket in your life and no matter what happens, your life will never be the same again. Don’t expect too much of yourself when the baby comes along.
Your emotions will hit you like a train.
The weight of change that comes with having a baby is like being hit by a truck. Not knowing how to feel is pretty common among new parents. It’s not because they don’t love their new baby, but because they don’t know how to be now that their life has changed. You bond emotionally to your baby now and that’s what really counts. It’s overwhelming and it takes time to adjust.
Date night? Nope.
Every single couple believes that they’ll have a baby that fits into their life rather than they mold to the new baby. The thing is, this never happens. You can want date nights, but you might not be ready to leave your baby for several weeks. That means that you need to think about how you fit in your relationships. You’ll become adept at night time date nights. You’ll learn to fit in time together with garden-based picnics and late night movies and conversations. Reframing your relationship will make it easier.
Your body goes through a lot.
When you have had a baby, you’re going to feel every feeling both physically and mentally. Your body is battered and broken and tired after birth, and you’re then you’re handed a baby to look after. It’s a lot and it’s scary when it’s your first time.
You may think that after giving birth that looking after your body and health is an afterthought. You may be wondering when you last went to the dentist and ‘is Invisalign worth it for adults?’ Well, it is. Your baby will need you at total capacity, so taking care of yourself is imperative.
When you have a baby, it’s essential to take care of your back and feet. Your back is the backbone of your body, and it’s necessary to keep it strong and healthy. In addition, your feet are one of the most delicate areas in your body, so you need to be careful about how you exercise them. The risk of developing serious foot problems increases when you have a baby.
One of the most important things you can do for your health and well-being after giving birth is to get enough exercise. Your baby needs plenty of C-section milk to digest if you’re breastfeeding. This means you need to be active every day to help keep your milk production up and provide your child with the nutrients they need. Additionally, getting enough exercise is essential for your mental and physical health. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that people who exercised regularly had lower rates of anxiety, depression, and stress levels than those who didn’t. Exercise also helps reduce the risk of weight gain and improve heart health.
You will never be ready.
Not just to get out of the house. Even when you are holding your new baby, you still might not be ready for this. It’s going to take time to get used to all of the new changes in your life and you need as much support as possible to get this bit right.
You will be so happy.
If there is one thing that you will be when you have a new baby, it’s that you will feel happy. Even amidst all the fear and worry, you’re going to feel an unrelenting happiness that you created a tiny piece of you.
