Education, relaxation and pain relief tips for new mums.
Life is busy and demanding as a new mum. Coping with the needs of a newborn can be very stressful, especially while you’re also trying to rest and recover from birth. On top of that, there’s the overwhelming responsibility of looking after a baby, often without any real prior experience. It’s a lot. To help you enjoy this time as much as possible and get through those early months of motherhood confidently, here’s what you need to know.
Education tips for new mums
As a new mum, you want to learn everything you can about raising a happy, healthy human. This can feel like a lot of pressure, however with the right education and a little trust in yourself, it’s more than possible.
Here are a few ways you can educate yourself as a new mum.
Take a first aid class
You can never be over prepared as a first-time mum. Raising a child is full of uncertainties. But when it comes to the safety of your child, you don’t want to be caught off guard.
Taking a first aid class is a great way to prepare and many companies now offer the chance to take classes virtually.
First aid classes cover everything from choking, seizures, and unresponsiveness to CPR, burns, and breaks. And it could save your child’s life, should the worst happen.
Many organisations now offer these sessions online, and some even incorporate virtual reality training to create immersive, real-world scenarios that help build confidence and give you the tools to stay calm under pressure.
According to the Red Cross, “Whether you’re a parent with a brand-new baby, or have years of experience raising children, knowing what to do when medical emergencies occur can make all the difference when it comes to saving a life. From small toys that turn into choking hazards, to minor cuts and scrapes, emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere.”
Attend the first aid class with your partner or other primary caregiver to ensure that everyone responsible for looking after your child knows what to do in an emergency.
Learn from your support network
As a mum, you will make mistakes. That’s a given. After all, nobody’s perfect. But it is helpful to have a support network that can provide advice, encouragement, and reassurance along the way.
If you’re ever unsure, seek advice from the people you trust most. There is so much information out there that it can be hard to filter through the noise.
So, choose a handful of your closest confidants to go to for advice when it’s needed. From home remedies for snotty noses to quick and easy dinner recipes, there’s nothing like advice from your friends.
Learning on the job as a new mum
As a new mum, there’s a lot of pressure to know exactly what you’re doing. But here’s a secret; most of us don’t. We’re all learning as we go.
There are unlimited resources suggesting how you should feed, comfort, and clothe your baby. And even more resources on the pros and cons of co-sleeping, baby wearing, and car seat rules. And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg…
But the truth is, every baby is different. What works for one might not work for another.
You will discover the best way to get your baby to sleep through trial and error – and, of course, plenty of late-night googling.
You’ll learn the foods they like and which activities engage them the most. And, most importantly, you will work out what does and doesn’t work for your family. Just give it time.
Relaxation tips for new Mums
Being a mum and relaxing don’t seem like two things that coincide. From navigating sleepless nights to managing visitors to your home, it can be hard to find the time to relax amongst the busyness. However, it is possible.
Here are a few ways you can seek relaxation as a mum.
Take 30 minutes out of your day
Just half an hour to yourself each day can be enough to recharge your batteries. It’s okay to want some time away from your kids to take a bath, go for a walk or just sit in a dark room. Taking time for yourself is one of the best things you can do as a mum.
Talkspace therapist, Elizabeth Keohan, suggests that mothers should “commit early to the things that make you characteristically happy, and don’t refuse yourself those opportunities, even if they are brief, to indulge. That will keep you actively engaged instead of woefully passive in the mundane.”
Make time for adult conversations
Mum brain is a real thing right after you’ve had a baby. There’s a strange kind of fog that seems to descend as your brain becomes all about your baby.
It’s normal and natural, but it can be a real nuisance. It’s one of the reasons why making time for adult conversations is so important.
Whether you can phone a friend while you’re doing the dishes or out on a walk, talking with friends during the postpartum period (and onwards) is extremely important for your wellbeing.
If you can’t chat away from the kids, even snatched conversations at baby groups are better than nothing. You could also speak to your partner or family members about taking a night off once a month to get a drink with a friend.
Accept all the help you can get
To cope with first-time parenting challenges, you need to accept help from those around you. However, as a new mum, it can be hard handing your baby’s care over to someone else (even just for a short time) without feeling that dreaded ‘mum guilt’.
It’s important to remember that, ultimately, your relationship with your baby will suffer if you don’t take time to rest. Taking care of a child is a full-time job, and it’s tiring. You will be a better mum for taking some time for yourself.
So, make the most of any and all the help you can get. Whether a friend wants to do your laundry once a week or watch the baby so you can shower, say thank you and take five minutes. You’ll feel so much better for it.
Pain relief tips for new Mums
Recovering from birth can take time. The hope is that you will recover quickly and feel better sooner than you expect. However, your birth experience and whether there were any complications can impact your recovery time.
As your body repairs and returns to normal, it’s likely you will feel an amount of discomfort.
Here are a few things you can try to help relieve any pain or discomfort.
Over-the-counter pain relief
Depending on the recommendation from your midwife, it can be helpful to take over-the-counter pain relief to help ease your discomfort.
If you are breastfeeding, your GP will provide advice on the most suitable medications. You can also try natural remedies for postpartum recovery that help you recover at your own pace.
Regular walks
Walking is probably the last thing you want to do after giving birth, however it’s one of the most effective forms of pain relief.
Walking helps your body to recover faster (whether you’re recovering from a C section or a vaginal birth) and can actually ease afterpains.
Of course, it’s important to listen to your body and take things slowly in the early stages of your recovery.
Relaxation techniques
Women who are struggling with afterpains may find that relaxation techniques are helpful during recovery.
Meditation and yoga can also ease discomfort. Of course, if your pain is particularly bad, it’s important to speak with a professional. They may be able to provide you with stronger pain relief options.
Becoming a mum for the first time is beautifully overwhelming. It’s full of highs and lows, victories and failures, but most of all, plenty of love and adoration for your beautiful new baby. We hope the tips in this article help to ease your transition into first-time parenthood and make things a little bit easier for you in those early days.
