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  • Pregnancy and you blog

  • July 9, 2009

    Blog: Surviving the first two weeks with your newborn

    By Mary Murry, R.N., C.N.M.

6 comments posted

During pregnancy it's hard to imagine what labor will be like. During your postpartum stay at the hospital it's hard to imagine what taking the baby home will be like. Even if you've been through this before, you're adding another person to the family and the task may seem overwhelming.

I believe the first two weeks home with a newborn are the hardest. You're recovering from labor and birth — possibly from a C-section. You're sleep deprived. If you're breast-feeding, you may have sore nipples and worry whether the baby is getting enough milk. You have vaginal bleeding and you haven't had to deal with that in months. The list can go on and on.

Most importantly, however, you're learning to care for your baby. The baby doesn't speak any recognizable language and it takes time to learn his or her cues. For example, the baby wanting to suck on anything that comes near its mouth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is hungry. Likewise, the baby screaming and crying doesn't always mean something is wrong. Understanding your baby's needs and preferences is a trial and error system for most parents. I found that my son liked to swing while listening to classic Motown hits.

While you're getting to know your baby, keep these tips in mind:

  • Sleep whenever you have the chance. The dust bunnies will still be there in a few weeks. Just name them and let everyone know they'll be a part of the family for awhile. It's even OK to fall asleep during conversations.
  • Accept help. When people ask if there's anything they can do, give them a job. It can be as simple as watching the baby while you take an unhurried shower and wash your hair, maybe even put on makeup. If you have other children, let someone take them for a few hours or the whole day so you can have some alone time with the new baby.
  • Never refuse a meal you don't have to cook. If someone is staying with you — whether it's your partner, your mom, your sister or a friend — let them wait on you. You deserve it and need it.

Please share with us how you survived those first two weeks.

6 comments posted

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  • October 27, 2009 9:12 a.m.

    Wouldn't have survived without the help of our permanent babysitters (grandmothers) who let me sleep for an hour here or there throughout the day and all those dinners people brought us. Sleep was the single most important factor to me feeling "normal" again. Definitly recommend getting some.

    - Mary Elizabeth

  • August 17, 2009 10:34 p.m.

    Figuring out the baby's favorite activities doesn't take very long. My son is only three weeks old, but I discovered when he was only a week old that traveling soothes him more than anything else possibly could. Put him in the car or stroller, and as soon as it's moving, bam; he's out, like someone flipped a switch. I have no qualms about taking him out for a walk in his stroller at midnight. It also gets me out of the house and helps reduce my own stress.

    - Amy

  • July 30, 2009 4:04 a.m.

    hi I came arcoss the website in google. The information provided about pregnancy is found to be interesting. My url is: http://biotechnology-genetic-humancells.blogspot.com

    - renuka

  • July 14, 2009 5:04 p.m.

    People have different thoughts about venturing out with a newborn, but I found it calming and reassuring to get out of the house very soon after my two children were born (within a day or two of being at home). If mom feels up to it and baby is healthy, a walk in the neighborhood, a trip to the grocery store or to a favorite coffee house can do wonders. Many new parents think they have to bring so much "equipment" with them when they leave the house with a new baby that they hesitate to go out. Keep it simple and stress goes down, enjoyment of baby goes up. Enjoy getting out for some fresh air or favorite parts of your pre-baby routine.

    - sg

  • July 10, 2009 2:36 p.m.

    The best advice I ever got was from an older lady who told me "when the baby sleeps, the mother sleeps". Forget the housekeeping and eat Kraft Dinner if you have to, but get your rest.

    - Connie

  • July 9, 2009 8:58 p.m.

    Interesting article. Thanks for sharing this article. I plan on being a mother soon and it's great to find articles like these.

    - Suzette

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