They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it’s for a good reason. It’s important, if not encouraged, to ask for help when you bring home your newborn for the first time.
Being a new parent has its challenges and there is a lot to learn. Here is how having a community can help you during the first few months of your new child being home:
- Help With Breastfeeding
A community isn’t always your inner circle. A community can be looking to experts who can provide help in areas such as breastfeeding.
According to a recent study, around 15% of women struggle with breastfeeding, while as many as 60% of women don’t breastfeed as long as the CDC recommends. This is often due to women feeling discouraged because they have a difficult time with it.
Working with a lactation specialist can provide emotional and physical support while offering insight towards products that can help as well. This will create a more intimate bond with your child and can improve their overall health.
- Improve Your Mental Health
Asking for help can feel discouraging for new parents. They often believe they need to prove something by doing it all themselves. However, this can take a dramatic toll on your mental health and well-being.
It’s important to make self-care a priority. It might seem impossible to find time for yourself, but that’s when it’s time to ask for help. Ask your family and close friends to watch your child for a few hours throughout the week.
You may be afraid of separation, but it’s important to put yourself first. Remember, you can’t take care of anyone if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
- Talk To Your Gynecological Obstetrician
When seeking advice as a first-time parent, a great place to start is by reaching out to your gynecological obstetrician. They are a great asset to have within your village because they’re going to be the ones with medical knowledge to help in situations that might be out of your element.
This is the person you worked with through your pregnancy. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them. It’s a part of their job to help provide medical insight for the parents they helped through the delivery process.
- Ask Your Partner For Help
Creating sleep schedules is one of the biggest issues many new parents have. As a mother, you’ll need to be breastfeeding throughout the night, especially when they are going through growth spurts.
Babies also tend to not sleep through the night because they haven’t developed a sense of night and day. In turn, this disrupts their sleep cycles since they haven’t been established yet.
Talk to your partner about alternating nights of sleep. This way, at least one of you can get proper rest rather than you taking on the entire responsibility every night. Getting a good night’s sleep will help in maintaining your health and, of course, your sanity.
- Turn To Parenting Groups
As a new mom or dad, you may find it hard to connect with some of your other friends who don’t have children. It’s a new and exciting, but also sometimes stressful experience that requires emotional support and human connection.
Connecting with parenting groups allows you to talk about some of your struggles while making new friends along the way.
Search for local meetups online or join online forums to see where people may meet in person. Local libraries or community centers often have groups within your local area.
You can even strike up a conversation with people at the playground or while you’re out grocery shopping. It might mean stepping outside of your comfort zone, but it can be a great way to start nurturing new relationships.
Conclusion
Asking for help with your new baby doesn’t mean you’re weak, incapable, or a bad parent. If anything, it’s quite the opposite.
There is a lot to learn while raising a child. Lean on your community and work on building your village to make raising a child a more insightful and beautiful experience.
