How it feels to be a new mother - My story
As new mother, it is quite hard to get time to write,as once you have a new born, time management is going to be the first and foremost skill that you have to excel at.Still there are certain things which I have learned and experienced in these 6 months, after I gave birth, and I really want to share them with my readers.
Well, for me, life is always full of surprises, sometimes good and sometimes not, but this time, when I got to know that I was going to have a baby, my reactions were really numb. I was on the verge of joining a new office and a new job and I just moved to a new location, so everything just made me more tensed. It took a awhile for me to settle down with the news and then I carried on with my regular life. I joined my job, I carried on all my daily activities, I went to office until I deliver and the day finally came. So from my experience in those 9months I can say that, never ever freak out or get tensed on your unplanned pregnancy, stay calm and poise, if you want to have the baby, have it, go for it, I know there will be many obstacles, some days you will feel great, some days you will feel low, there will be cravings, tiredness, grumpiness,disturbed sleep but at the end when for the first time, you will see his/her face, you will forget everything, and there will be joys and happiness all around.
My point on delivery is that if you and your baby are fit enough, you should always go for normal delivery. Do not go for cesarean delivery if it is unnecessary. If your baby is too big or if you have any other complications then you have to go for it, else go for normal delivery.I know cesarean deliveries can be planned as per convenience and that is why most parents and doctors are opting for that option. In India, well mothers do not get the option now to choose normal deliveries and all the deliveries are planned now, but if your doctor is giving you option, then go for normal delivery.I have jotted down some of the benefits of normal delivery -
- Boosts babies immunity
- Easy Recovery for mother
- No stitches
- More natural experience
- You can hold your baby right after you deliver and can start breastfeeding which is very important
Again, I thing that my doctor told me, when I was pregnant, that if you want a normal delivery, you have to move. Walk,do cycling, go swimming, go to gym, do yoga, anything you like,just keep yourself moving. I am really thankful to him that he gave this advice and even after my 9 hours office everyday, I went to gym every night, I walked, listened music, did cycling until 9 months and the result was quite fruitful. My labour pain lasted only 4 hours and I delivered a healthy 3 kg baby. Yes, the labor was tiring and painful indeed, but the moment I held him in my hand, there was nothing I could remember except his face.They asked me to start breast feeding right after I gave birth as the yellowish colostrum is very very important for the new born as it protects him from many severe diseases and infections like jaundice.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective way to start your bonding with your baby. No matter what is going on in your life, you should try breastfeeding your baby, it is very important for your baby's immunity and brain development. I cannot say that from your starting days only you have to exclusively breast feed, for some moms, especially new mothers, may not have enough milk supply initially but if you latch more your supply is definitely going to increase. More latching cause more milk. These days breast pumps are easily available and there are so many varieties and brands for working mothers, for those moms who are going back to work after their maternity leaves. I have been using Philips Avent Electronic breast pump,which cost me around 400 RM and it really suits me. Initially if your are using breast pump then your pumped milk will be very less, for me, it was only 10ml-20ml but I started using it when my baby was 1months old and eventually it increased.
As I had to go back to office only after two months of maternity leave so I started giving bottles to my baby after 1month so that he knows how to drink from bottle. Every day I used to pump once and give the milk to him, no matter how less quantity it is. If you wish to increase your milk supply then there are several techniques of pumping available only, for me, I have tried Power Pumping,which involves continuos pumping for 10 mins and then pause and again start pumping for 10minutes, continue this for half an hour,it really worked. I have listed down some of the foods which can really boosts your milk supply -
- Chicken and papaya soup
- Fenugreek
- Sabu dana(tapioca)
I used to pump 5 times a day when I joined office, three times in office and 2 times at home. If you are joining back to office and wish to continue breastfeeding, you should find a suitable and comfortable place to sit and pump for yourself in office, because in order to get good milk supply, you should relax and stay calm. With babies, it is very hard to get a good night sleep, so some days you will be overtired and milk supply will be less, but please do not give up. Your consistency in your routine will make your baby more healthy.
Everyday I am learning a new thing along with my baby and there is lot more to share. He is now going to be 6months and is going to start solid soon. So again it is going to be a new experience. Somedays it is really hard and somedays are as smooth as belgian chocolates, with babies at home you can never predict, but people say I look more happy, more content, Touchwood!!
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