The First Week with Your Baby

The first week of your baby's life brings big adjustments for both of you. You are adjusting to being a mother and caring for your baby and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. It is a time of great joy -- and possibly immense fear! Although you've been preparing for the birth of your baby for months, now he is here and depending on you for everything which can seem overwhelming. Don't expect too much of yourself during these first days! If anyone offers you help -- take it!

During your baby's first few weeks of life, he will be concentrating on getting to know you and his surroundings. Your baby needs to be handled so that life outside the womb seems as little different as possible to life inside the womb. Your baby's needs, while they may seem overwhelming to you, are really simple: food, warmth and comfort from cuddling. Wrap him snugly and warmly, hold him closely, handle him slowly, and feed him when he's hungry. Your baby will have the routing and sucking reflexes as well as tongue thrust. These are needed to get nourishment from the breast or bottle. You can also use this time to bond with your baby with lots of skin to skin contact.

Whether you decide to breast or bottle feed, feeding in the first few weeks is not an effortless process. Try to have early feeding sessions in a quiet setting with as few distractions as possible. Make sure you are in a comfortable position as it takes new babies a while to eat and you don't want to end up stiff and sore. Cuddle and caress your baby as feeding time is a wonderful opportunity to show your baby how much he is loved.

If you are breastfeeding, be patient while you and your baby are getting the hang of it! The benefits of breastfeeding are many and in order for it to be successful, it is important to start out right. Keep in mind though it may take several weeks until you both feel comfortable and get a feeding schedule down.

Most new moms feel and experience:

• Exhaustion!

• Bloody vaginal discharge for the first week or so

• Discomfort or pain in the perineal area if you had a vaginal delivery

• Incision pain or numbness if you had a cesarean delivery

• Abdominal cramping (afterpains) as the uterus contracts

• Elation or depression or swings between both

• Breast discomfort or engorgement

• Fears about your adequacy as a mother

• Profuse sweating after the first couple of days

Although it may be tempting to try to be a 'supermom', now is not the time. The best advice that I received as an new mom was to accept the help of others, eat regular meals and sleep when the baby sleeps. Now it's my turn to pass that advice on to you.

About The Author

Anne Cavicchi is a Canadian wife and mother of one boy and two step-daughters. She also owns Annie's Maternity Corner where you'll find everything you need for pregnancy and baby! Great products, articles, information and more to see you through pregnancy and baby's first years at Annie's. http://www.maternitycorner.com

---

Front Packs vs. Baby Back Packs

For ages caring parents have carried their babies with them... Read More

Baby Eating Habits ? Which Approach Do You Take

One of the first decisions we make is if we... Read More

Baby Products ? Essential Baby Products, Which Ones Do I Really Need?

There are many essential baby products a new parent must... Read More

Special Considerations for the Premature Baby

Every parent hopes and prays that their newborn will be... Read More

How to Help Your Children Learn

We all want the very best for our children and... Read More

Childrens Gift Ideas: Babies, Toddlers, and Beyond

When your time comes to shower a new mom or... Read More

Properly Care For Your Children

When it comes to your newborn or children's health, it... Read More

Fussy Eaters

The experts often tell us that in order to ensure... Read More

Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs

Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery.... Read More

The Character Traits of the Typical Libran Baby

Your Libra Baby..September 23 - October 22Libras can be really... Read More

Important Features to Consider When Buying a Baby Crib

With all the different features of baby cribs, it can... Read More

Baby Dangers New Parents Need to Know About

This Spring many new parents will welcome new additions into... Read More

The Top Diaper Bags for Stylish and Savvy Moms

Forget bears and bunnies. Today's diaper bags are all about... Read More

Potty Training Your Child: The Five Potty Training Methods

There are many different ways to potty train your toddler.... Read More

Solving Baby Sleep Problems - Its Time to Sleep

If you're a parent with a young child then here's... Read More

Have Fun Purchasing A Stroller For Your Baby

You are getting ready to welcome your baby into your... Read More

Robeez Shoes ? A Baby Shower Gift That Moms Will Thank You For

Robeez shoes help your baby put their best foot forwardIf... Read More

Where Will You Give Birth To Your Baby?

Where To Give Birth..You have a choice where to have... Read More

Baby Shower Invitations Ideas

The first thing you need to do before you order... Read More

Tale of the Missing Nub

The extent of the memory loss that accompanies new parenthood... Read More

Baby Girl Clip Art

The online baby girl clip art images help you to... Read More

The Reflux / Asthma Connection

Most babies and kids with reflux will have typical symptoms... Read More

Baby?s First Year ? What to Expect

As a new Mom, you are probably wondering about many... Read More

Information on Purchasing Babys Dresser

Babys dresser or baby chest of drawers make up the... Read More

Baby Name Trends: From Classic to Hip

Goodbye Bertha, Hello Kaitlyn! The top baby names of today... Read More

How to Find Those Elusive Baby Gifts That Are Just Right

Baby Gifts from gift certificates to very expensive toys. Something... Read More

7 Stages of Potty Training

There are seven stages of potty training. They begin with... Read More

Potty Training Boys - How To Potty Train Boys - Do You Teach Them to Sit or Stand?

I am asked this question by many parents - they... Read More

Moses Baby Baskets

Moses Baby Baskets are a traditional, convenient place for babies... Read More

Baby Shower Planning and Hosting

Planning and organization are crucial to hosting a successful baby... Read More

What Happens When During the Baby Shower?

To be precise, anything can happen anytime as long as... Read More

Infantile Cradle Cap - Symptoms and Treatments

What is cradle cap?What is the cause?No one really knows... Read More

Baby Shower Invitation Cards

Baby Shower Invitation Cards are a time saver for the... Read More