After nine months of pregnancy, the
first few weeks of motherhood can feel exhilarating, overwhelming, exciting and
terrifying all at once. Here are some common questions that many new moms ask:
How much will my baby sleep?
Newborn babies sleep a lot – usually
more than 16 hours a day. However, this sleep is taken in small increments of
between 20 minutes and four hours at a time. Waking up at night to feed your
baby will make you tired, so try to take naps during the day while your baby is
sleeping.
How do I know what my baby needs?
It can be hard for a new parent to
tell right away what his or her baby’s cries mean. Your baby may be hungry,
sleepy, too cold or hot, gassy or have a wet diaper. Make sure your baby is
fed, dry and comfortable. If he or she is still fussy, don’t panic – sometimes,
babies cry for no real reason. Swaddle or rock your baby or provide a pacifier
to suck on. At this age, don’t worry that too much attention will ‘spoil’ your
baby.
How do I play with my baby?
It’s important to interact with your
baby and stimulate the senses, even in the first few weeks, to help build the
brain’s connections. Newborns can’t hold toys or play games, but simple stimuli
will keep your baby happy too. Sing, hang a mobile above the bed or carry your
newborn in a sling while doing daily activities to help provide plenty of new
sensations.
What changes will take place in my
body?
Your baby isn’t the only one who is
changing rapidly during the first six weeks. Your body also adjusts to
postpartum life. Organs that moved during pregnancy to make room for the fetus
will now shift back into place and your uterus will shrink back to its normal
size. This can cause some cramping or ‘after pains,’ which should go away after
about a week.
How do I know what feelings are
normal?
Hormonal changes will occur in your
body after giving birth, usually causing mood swings. You can expect to feel
overwhelmed and anxious sometimes. However, if you feel prolonged feelings of
hopelessness, anger or the desire to hurt your baby, call your physician
immediately, as these could be signs of postpartum depression.
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