Taking care of babies: 10 tips for stressed parents

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The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Le Thi Hong Anh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Taking care of a newborn can be life-changing for first-time parents. Here are 10 practical tips to help manage your life and mind that you can apply if you feel stressed while caring for a newborn.

1. Take care of yourself

Many people choose to drink coffee or energy drinks to maintain alertness, combat the sleepiness and fatigue of having to stay up at night looking after babies. However, instead of adding caffeine, experts advise parents to choose a healthy diet, drink lots of water and keep the living space fresh and cool.
It is necessary to take advantage of a nap when the baby is asleep, as well as schedule a nighttime baby care assignment with your partner so that both are fully rested. Good habits will help parents maintain the energy they need to continue taking care of their newborn.

2. Avoid Trouble From Visiting

Friends and loved ones can lift the baby out of the crib to see the new baby. Parents should remind them to wash their hands before touching their baby and frankly ask anyone who is sick not to visit. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it is advisable to inform guests in advance of the appropriate date and time when they can visit. For trusted relatives, let them take the place of taking care of the newborn for a short time so that parents can take advantage of a break.

3. Try to keep pace with everything

Whether you're a first-time parent or have had your second baby or more, it's inevitable that you have to spend a lot of time taking care of your baby, lulling him to sleep, and comforting him when he's fussy. Trying to get used to this packed schedule, coupled with natural parenting instincts, can help manage the stress of caring for a newborn and get it done better.

4. Find Spiritual Encouragement

For the most part, a woman's emotions after giving birth will change very erratically, even to the opposite, within an hour. They can both feel great love and delight in the new born baby's every move. Soon after that, she grieves about her future self-attachment, as well as doubts about her ability to take care of her newborn.
Many first-time parents feel equally tired and anxious. Therefore, try to share all thoughts with your partner, especially the negative things in life as well as in the process of taking care of children. A word of sympathy accompanied by consoling laughter has a great effect, making the mood much lighter.

5. Don't be too rigid

Normally you can be a very neat and orderly person, but everything can change completely with the arrival of a newborn baby.
Daily tasks such as sweeping the house, drying clothes, cleaning and cleaning the bathroom,... can all be shelved until absolutely necessary. If you've been exhausted all day, you can have bread, cold cereal, and peanut butter for dinner instead of having to prepare a traditional full-course meal.

6. Go out for a walk

If the infant is constantly fussy and the parents have no way to calm the baby, it is advisable to take the baby out for a walk for a while to relax. In case there are relatives to support, parents can give the baby to a trusted person to take the place of comforting the baby.

7. Accept help

A new-born baby requires near-constant care around the clock. This has resulted in many first-time parents feeling stressed when taking care of a newborn. When friends and loved ones offer to help, parents should agree to let them provide support. It could be holding your baby for a while, folding clothes or helping with some of the most needed errands in the meantime.

8. Nurturing Other Relationships

Of course, babies need a lot of care from their parents, but they will not be disappointed if you spend a little more time on other relationships. Especially your baby's brother or sister - your parents' older children also need some alone time with you even though they still live in the same house. In addition, schedule a "date" with your partner or go to the movies and have lunch with a friend.

9. Keep calm

The difficult, stressful, and even chaotic postpartum days won't last. Taking a deep breath and slowing down to contemplate what's going on will help first-time parents stay calm and find the best solutions in any situation.

10. Seek medical help

Being a parent is a huge challenge, even when everything seems to be going so well. If you are depressed or have difficulty adjusting to life with the addition of a newborn, you should seek support from health care services and psychological counseling.
Although there is a lot of stress when taking care of a newborn baby, if you know how to handle it and get over it, parenting can be a wonderful experience in a couple's journey as first time parents.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively. In particular, during pregnancy, mothers will participate in antenatal classes organized by the hospital to provide mothers with knowledge of taking care of themselves during pregnancy as well as how to take care of their babies when they are born. Life: Breastfeeding posture, instructions for bathing the baby, handling when the child chokes milk ....helps the mother more confident on the journey of raising her child to grow up.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Article referenced source: Mayoclinic.org