This post breaks down 5 tips for first time moms to try and embrace the newborn stage!
The Newborn phase is arguably the most challenging part of motherhood. It’s the biggest adjustment any first time mom has to make, and the Period of Purple crying can make it feel impossible.
Every mom fears looking back at the newborn phase and not remembering any of it because they were just struggling to survive. Finding moments to soak in this special time is no easy feat.
Embracing the tough and mundane moments is possible, though, and this post will illustrate five ways to achieve it. First time moms want to remember every possible moment with their first baby, and these tips will help.
Tips for First Time Moms #1: No Phone While Nursing
Starting off with probably the most difficult tip of the 5. In the newborn stage, nursing sessions can be frequent and LONG.
You find yourself sitting in the same spot so long every day, but there are also opportunities for amazing connection between you and your newborn.
You’re providing comfort, nourishment, and physical touch to your baby. There are so many benefits to staying off your phone and using the time to ground yourself and connect with your little one.
Nursing is proven to lower blood pressure and cortisol levels for both baby AND mom, so use this time to recenter and find gratitude.
Tips for First Time Moms #2: Time Together Outside
When you’re on weeks 4 and 5 of intense sleep deprivation, reality can easily start to feel a little skewed.
There is nothing more grounding and calming than taking a moment to step outside with your baby and reconnect with nature and the world around you.
Even if it’s the middle of winter, wrap you and your baby in a big ol’ blanket, and just take a couple steps out your front door. The change in your’s and your baby’s mood can be DRASTIC.
This tool can be life changing for mothers who feel like time is passing them by with the same routines every day.
Tips for First Time Moms #3: Never Being First To Break Eye Contact
In those early days, newborns aren’t able to engage much with their parents. This can be so tough on struggling moms and dads who feel like they can’t make their baby happy.
In those brief moments where your little one is able to find you and hold a moment of eye contact, I challenge you to not be the first one to break it! Even if this means maintaining longer than is comfortable.
You and your baby are learning to trust each other and how to formulate a connection. Teaching them that you are here for them and will never be first to disengage will go far for both their development, and how you approach parenting.
Tip #4: Deep and Controlled Breaths While Baby Cries
The Period of Purple Crying is NO JOKE. My son had severe acid re-flux as a newborn, and some days it felt like the only two setting he had were sleeping and crying.
Learning to control my breath while he was crying was a lifesaver. It gives you something to focus on other than just trying to make the crying stop, and it allows you to be present in the moment.
There’s substantial research that explores the co-regulation of emotion between parent and infant as well. More than we know, our babies sense and feed off of our emotional state. The more calm and level-headed you can remain, the better chance your baby has at learning how to process stressful emotions.
Tip #5: All the Kisses and Squeezes
This one is a no brainer and something that comes naturally to probably every parent, but it always bears repeating that you CANNOT spoil a baby.
Studies have shown that the more affectionate the parents, the more confident and stable adults the baby usually becomes.
Every single mom will tell you that the newborn phase goes by in the blink of an eye, so take every opportunity to squeeze, hold, kiss, and whisper loving words to your newborn while you can.
What other tips for first time moms in the newborn phase do you tell the women in your life? Let me know in the comments below!
