New Parent Stress
Know What to Expect
Instead of having one of those cute, clean babies you see in commercials, you have a crying, endlessly dirty one. Your life has changed more than you had ever imagined. You are hopelessly in love with your child, but will you ever have the energy to enjoy it? Being prepared for these stresses can lessen their impact and enhance the joy a new baby brings to a family.
How Are You Feeling?
New mothers can be plagued by strong emotions and doubts. You love your baby, but you may have been unprepared for the accompanying personal and work-related changes. You may feel an added burden if you have a fussy or colicky baby. Changes in your body's post-pregnancy appearance can be distressing. At times you may feel overwhelmed by this new responsibility.
Today, new fathers take a more active role in pregnancy, childbirth and in child care than their fathers did. The richness of this new experience can leave fathers ex-hausted, overwhelmed, and numb. They enjoy watching their wives care for the child but sometimes feel jealous of their closeness. They may then feel guilty. Worries about money and planning for the baby's future may also plague them.
Sexual Changes
As a new parent, your life is controlled by the "f word" - ”fatigue. Life is lived in snatches between feedings and diaper changes. Beyond baby, very little else seems to get done. Talking and feeling intimate may be at an all time low. Some couples find a new "normal" sex life soon after the baby is born. But if you are like many couples, trying to find the energy, the time and a non-crying infant becomes mission impossible. Be patient! Some parents report 6-12 months before their sex life is again "normal." It takes planning, maybe a relative or friend to babysit, and occasional afternoon trysts to restore some of the old zest.
When to Seek Help
A sense of humor and time will heal many of the problems of parenting. Talk over concerns with your spouse and discuss parenting with friends so that you see your problems aren't unique. But if you are experiencing a troubling change in your couple relationship, severe depression or continued anger towards your spouse or baby, then it is time to seek professional help. For long-term sexual problems or painful intercourse, start with your physician to see if there is a physical problem. If there isn't, you may benefit from counseling help. Seeking help when in doubt can help restore the happiness a baby can bring.
Working as a team and giving much needed baby-breaks
helps ease the tensions of parenthood.
Parents Survival Checklist
- Rest during baby's naps.
- Accomplish only one thing per day.
- Give each other gifts of alone time.
- Have dates as often as possible.
- Keep a daily journal.
- Remember the "non-parent" things you love about yourself.
- Don't expect too much of yourself or spouse.
- If you are a single parent, develop a network of friends and family to help out.
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