Articles Tagged ‘Parenting’
New parents often hesitate to take time out for themselves during these intense first weeks, but they should try to do so. For mothers, the weeks after birth involve more than just physical recovery. Mood swings, crying jags, and feelings of sadness are also common; the changing hormone levels following pregnancy are, at least in part, responsible for these changes. However, if you feel deep or persistent depression in the weeks after birth, alert your doctor. During the first weeks and months, most parents long for some uninterrupted sleep. Try to nap when the baby does. Let all nonessential housekeeping chores go undone for now, or ask friends, family, or neighbors to pitch in. If the demands of a newborn are getting you down, arrange for short breaks, even if it's only a walk around the block or a hot bath. And if you are having serious trouble coping, especially if your baby has any medical problems, consider using the services of a visiting nurse or housekeeper. With each day...