Being a new mother

You have probably been told many times that having a baby changes your life forever. Now you are beginning to find out what this will mean to you.

For the first weeks you and your partner will be getting to know your baby. There will be lots of phone calls and family excitement, relatives descending on you when you really may not feel like it. If family members are close they might be able to help, if they are further afield mothers often want to come to stay and give lots of helpful advice.  Intentions are good but if you really don’t feel up to visitors it can be hard work.

Socialising
With a baby in tow you will have to adapt aspects of your life. You will no longer be able to head out in the evening at the drop of a hat. It is important to go out, and to go out knowing that you have appropriate child care. Perhaps your socialising will evolve in different places where your baby can come too. Remember though that alcohol is present in breast milk. You may wish to express the nighttime feed before you have something to drink.

Your social circle may decrease often to close friends, family and antenatal class members as you will all be going through similar experiences at the same time. The activities you used to do during the day will suffer and you will not be socializing at work. This can make you feel quite isolated. Suddenly your independence has gone and your time is no longer yours. It is normal to have feelings like this, if you feel that they are affecting you or your ability to care for your new addition you must seek the help of your GP.

Fathers often feel isolated as your attention is absorbed by looking after your baby, perhaps your partner may be diverting attention previously directed to you onto your little one, so you may feel a little lonely. It is important throughout this time that you have time for each other and continue to build and develop you relationship too.

© The Westover

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