It’s OK to Not Love the Newborn Phase

November 22, 2020

“Bringing a new life into the world will fill you with joy.” Well, that’s the popular notion! But how does that stack up against the reality of being a new mother? After nine months in the womb, your baby is now in the real world, and everything that you do once they arrive is about keeping them safe, happy, and healthy.  But, of all of the different stages of development your baby will go through, the newborn phase may be the most challenging- for the entire household. While you may feel that you’re a terrible person for feeling a range of complicated emotions as you deal with the challenges that being a new parent throws at you, here’s why it’s okay to not love the newborn phase.  A Newborn Baby Takes No Less Effort Than An Older Baby Many people expect that caring for a newborn baby is somehow easier because a newborn isn't able to move around and is much less mentally active.  But newborns come with their own set of challenges;  When you come home from hospital, you will still be exhausted from childbirth. Labor can be intense and puts a strain on your body. But now you’re home, you have to take care of yourself and a new baby this can prove to be quite a challenge.  Feeding every couple of hours, constant crying, diaper changes, and lack of sleep leave little time for seemingly simple tasks such as grabbing a shower or something to eat.  You may have endless family and friends calling around to see your new baby. But in the midst of it all, it’s not unusual to feel isolated.  Things Will Improve Days will blend into one another. Your body clock will become confused as your baby can’t differentiate between day and night. You may feel so tired that it causes you physical pain. It can feel as though you’re trapped and have lost all sense of normality.  However, the newborn phase doesn’t last forever. As your baby grows, they’ll eventually need less attention and less feeding and should eventually be able to sleep through the night without having to be fed every few hours. And that means more rest for you too.  Reach Out And Get Help If you’re struggling to cope emotionally and physically, this is not a sign of failure. Adapting to your new life as a parent will take time, and learning to be kind to yourself is essential.  Reach out to those around you and tell them how you’re feeling. Talk to your partner, family members, friends or your doctor. Other people may be able to give you emotional and physical support, and there is no shame in this. Families have rallied around new parents to support them since the start of the human race.  You’ll learn a lot about yourself as you get to know your baby in the newborn phase. It is a challenge, and it is not one that can easily be prepared for.  Related: Should You Swaddle Your Newborn? What You Need To Know About Caring For Your Newborn Life With Your Newborn - What Nobody Tells You

What to Expect When Your Baby is Teething: Signs and Remedies

November 15, 2020

Your baby’s first tooth appearing is an exciting milestone. While a first tooth is something to celebrate, the teething process is not! It can leave your baby feeling a little grumpier than usual and quite unsettled. In this guide, we will discuss what to expect when your baby is teething, the signs of teething, and remedies to help your teething baby. The Signs of Teething Most babies start teething between six and ten months old, although some babies can start earlier or later than this. For most babies, the bottom two front teeth are the first ones to appear. Usually, you can tell that your baby is teething based on specific signs and symptoms. There are several baby teething signs to look out for which indicate that your little one’s first tooth will be putting in an appearance sometime soon: Chewing on everything that they can get hold of Drooling more than usual Unsettled at night Pulling at their ears Irritable and unsettled Tender gums It is important to note that these symptoms could also be signs of illness, so get your baby checked over by a doctor if you are concerned that they may be ill rather than teething. Remedies to Soothe Your Teething Baby Before those first teeth appear, your baby will show some of the signs mentioned above and so you may find that they are unsettled, waking more frequently during the night, and a little grumpier during the day. Several remedies can be used to ease teething discomfort for your baby, here are some that you may like to try: Teething Toys Teething toys are a popular choice and can bring babies comfort while their teeth are breaking through their gums. It is vital to make sure that the teething toys you give your baby are safe for them to chew, and are made from safe materials. Putting the teething toy in the fridge before giving it to your baby can make it extra soothing for their gums. Teething toys like the Matchstick Monkey can provide ultimate comfort for your baby when teething as they can help soothe your little one's pain at the source with fun, flexible teethers that get teething gel to the right places! Reduce Irritation and Soreness Teething babies drool more than usual. All this extra drool can lead to soreness and irritation around your baby’s mouth and chin. To prevent irritation from developing, try to wipe away the drool when you can. Massage Baby’s Gums Massaging your baby’s gums can offer them the same soothing relief that they get from their chew toys. Your hands must be clean when using your finger to massage your baby’s mouth. Be prepared as your baby may bite down on your finger when you are massaging their gums! Distraction Distraction is a powerful tool when calming a teething baby. Reading a story, playing with toys, or going out for a walk could be all that is needed to help your baby forget about their teething troubles. Lots of Cuddles When your baby is feeling unsettled, they may become fussier than usual and unsettled. Sometimes, all that is needed are some extra cuddles for comfort. Read our other blogs on baby milestones: Everything you need to know about Tummy Time What determines a baby’s eye colour? When do babies start talking?