Mom's Day One

So it’s Mom’s Day One! Today is your first day home and the future looks bright! May it be filled with special moments with the newest member of your family! Whether this baby is your first child or an addition to your growing family, these days are hectic and filled with excitement, hopes and dreams. Here at Mom’s Day One, we wish that all your dreams come true.

My name is Ruth Shamir and I am an Infant and Child Specialist. I’d like to tell you a bit about myself. I am the proud mother of three grown adult children of my own. I have so much experience and knowledge that I would love to share. Some advice I received from my children’s’ pediatrician over three decades ago. Little did I know at the time, how valuable and timeless his words of wisdom would be after all these years! Thank you Dr. Mark Pearlman of Denver Colorado! I did a lot of reading of books, magazines and articles. I watch countless videos. I tried many of the techniques I learned from many sources. I got advice from family and friends. My mom helped me through my postpartum times and without her help, I would not have been able to achieve all that I did! Thank you, Mom! Some advice was solicited by me, sometimes it was not. But I managed to sift through it all and create my own method of mothering, and you will too!  But most important of all, I counted on my motherly instinct! I have felt it since the ripe old age of 8 or 9 years old. I have taken care of other peoples’ babies since that age and have loved every minute.

With this blog, the first of many to come, I hope to offer some helpful hints and words of advice. This blog is my view, based on my experiences and knowledge acquired through training.  As I mentioned earlier, please trust your motherly instinct. It will see you through many situations and as you move forward, that instinct will grow. It is important to develop your own method of mothering your baby.

In the early days after you come home from the hospital, you will have many visitors. Try to limit the well-wishers to the times of the day that are convenient for you. Otherwise, you will be entertaining people in your home at all hours of the day. Ask people to please respect your need to rest and limit visits to less than an hour. That includes your family. Although it seems harsh, if you are inundated with visitors and allow them to determine the length of the visit, you will not have time to do many important things in your day, such as resting, eating and bathing. If guests ask if they can bring something, ask them to bring a light dessert for their visit. It is important not to overdue yourself by playing hostess. This is your time to be pampered. You can even ask for your favourite foods!

You need time to rest. Try to lie down when the baby sleeps. As you are now aware, the baby’s day is 24 hours long! They do not have a sense of time. They eat, sleep and soil diapers 24/7. It is important not to overextend yourself during your postpartum period. It is time to treat yourself as you would treat your best friend…you!!  If you can nap when the baby naps, you will feel a bit better.

Make sure you get your nourishment at regular intervals throughout the day. It is important to take care of yourself during your postpartum period. Your body is recovering from the forty weeks of a growing baby in your body, and now it is recovering from a job well done. A well-balanced diet that includes all the food groups is essential.

If you are breastfeeding your baby, it is even more important to eat properly. Try to have at least 8 ounces of liquid every time you nurse your baby. It is a great practice to have the beverage beside you to sip on while the baby is feeding; the visual reminder will help you remember. You will require additional calories to establish and maintain a good supply of quality milk. This is not a good time to  try and get your pre-pregnancy figure back. It is the best time to see to your nutritional needs as your body is producing the essential milk for your baby’s nutritional needs.

Also, with regards to meals, if anyone asks “Can I help you with anything,” this is a great time to request some prepared meals to be brought over or delivered to your home. Having these meals on hand will make it easier for you to have something to eat whenever you like.

Now is not the time to keep the house clean on your own. If possible, enlist other family members to pitch in with the household chores. Perhaps hire a person or agency to come in once a week or every other week to clean the house.  It is more important to get your rest than have an immaculate home. You and your baby are more important than the dirty dishes or laundry. Finally, you have the perfect excuse to ask for help with housework instead of doing it yourself!

Make sure you spend some quality time together as a family. Now is the chance to remember you are a new family and celebrate by having some quiet time together, take some photos or videos, or do something that you know will make a positive impact in your lives. Photos and videos will capture this phase in your life that you might otherwise forget; you will see yourself in these pictures later on and wonder how you managed to do so well in this trying time. You will appreciate these photos, even if your hair and makeup are not perfect, or even done!

In summary, take care of yourself and your baby. Ask for help when you need it. Accept help of meals and cleaning when it is offered. Eat well and rest often. Limit visitors whenever you can. Realize that your instincts as a mother are important, and listen to your motherly instinct. You know your baby the best!!

How were your first days home as a new Mom? Let us know in the comments! Happy mothering!