 |
|
|
|
Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources | HOME PAGE Health Club 101 DIRECT Natural Supplements | HGH Energizer | Eazol Natural Pain Relief | Revitol Cellulite Solution IBS Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Menopause Symptoms Relief | Insomnia Sleeping Aid Articles & Information Medicine | Nutrition | Exercise | Fitness Equipment | Pregnancy Bodybuilding Supplements | Weight Loss | Breast Cancer | Diabetes Category Site Map |
 |
The Sleepless Challenge
For me, it was "welcome to motherhood". Ready or not, I was in for a wonderful experience. But my first challenge was to overcome the first few months of literally no sleep. It was my first baby, and I felt the pressure of doing everything "just right". I wanted to be a perfect mom. But I quickly learned that parenting was going to be a lifelong journey and that I would make plenty of mistakes along the way. After stumbling out of bed frequently for middle of the night feedings I'd wake up around 6 a.m. to my newborn crying a joyful solo for yet another feeding. After about three weeks of this, and then another month I was completely worn out! Following a cesarean section, I immediately thought I could be Supermom, Grand Interior Decorator, and the House Cleaning Company all at once, and of course I thought I could simultaneously juggle the responsibilities of a baby that I was so certain would sleep through most of the day and night. After a few restless nights, and having noticed that my sweet infant was rarely sleeping at all, be it night or day, I began to really wonder about her. Was this going to be the norm? Did infants really stay awake for hours at a time demanding a feeding every hour and half? Was I doing something wrong? I couldn't help but wonder if this pattern would ever end. I'd read all the many parenting articles that tell you when your infant should stop waking up so frequently and begin sleeping peacefully through the night. Well, I dare say that my little one kept waking up again and again for nights on end. After a few months I began to think I was the only mother out there suffering from severe sleep deprivation! Of course, I knew that I wasn't REALLY the only one, but it sure hits home when it happens to you. My young one is now an active toddler, and things have definitely improved as far as her sleeping habits go, but I learned quite a few things during those seemingly never ending nights of sleeplessness and days of extreme fatigue. If I had to do it all over again, I definitely wouldn't have tried to be the Grand Interior Designer and the House Cleaning Company (and following a c-section at that)! Here are some handy tips that I should have used and will keep in mind when I have my next baby: ? Rest, rest, rest! Okay, it sounds trite, and while pregnant you've probably heard everyone in the world tell you to rest, but once you've given birth it's even more important that you still adhere to the resting phase the first few days you are home from the hospital. I can't even begin to explain how much rest is needed after a cesarean section?but in either type of delivery, your body needs time to recuperate, so take it easy. What does resting mean? It could mean using paper plates so there are fewer dishes to wash. It could mean having a friend or relative come sit with you a few hours a day and help you around the house (which is especially helpful if you have other younger children). And if you have older children, it could mean having them help out with more chores around the house. Most of all, it means to just let some things go. The dusting doesn't have to be done right away?perhaps it can wait a few more days, or weeks even. ? People say to sleep while the baby is sleeping. Well, that didn't work for me, mostly because I was attempting to get things done around the house that I couldn't do efficiently when my daughter was awake. So here's what I say: REST while the baby is sleeping. Sit down, take a break. Schedule that time, and give yourself at least 30 minutes to do absolutely nothing. ? Thicken baby's milk. I breastfed my daughter for several months. In the beginning nurses were telling me that breastfed babies need to get fed more often because breast milk apparently "goes right through" their systems. After my daughter was a few weeks old they gave me the go-ahead on thickening her breast milk with rice cereal (about a teaspoon full). It did wonders for her nightly waking ritual. Instead of waking up every hour and half she slept about two hours longer than usual. I say that's good for mom and baby! Of course, check with your pediatrician first, and again, there are differing views on thickening baby's milk, so do (or don't do) what you feel is best. ? Breastfeeding mothers take a break. For mothers who nurse, I highly recommend pumping so the baby can be given a bottle by other members of the family while you rest up. Breastfeeding is a demanding job and takes quite a bit of energy reserves. Did you know you burn approximately 500 calories during one nursing session? That's equivalent to the amount of calories I burned on the treadmill a few days ago. So there's another reason for you to take a breather. ? Take your prenatal vitamins. Keep taking these. You'll need them, especially during this time of recovery. Your body needs all the minerals and vitamins necessary to boost your immune system and promote overall health. You'll be glad you took them daily. ? Continue to eat for two. If you are nursing, this is an especially important concept, since you'll need to eat enough to keep your milk reserves flowing. It's very easy for postpartum women to want to begin dieting right after giving birth. However, the healthiest choice is to simply continue the intake of nutritious foods, and to eat enough to keep your energy levels up, because you will definitely need energy in the wee hours of the morning! In addition, doctors recommend that postpartum, nursing women intake anywhere from 2000-2400 calories per day. So eat, and eat healthy. ? Keep others in your life. Don't ever feel alone or isolated. If you don't have relatives nearby who can help, seek for help within your community: churches, civic groups and non profit organizations, as well as friends. In addition, there are a host of online communities and discussion groups specifically geared toward pregnancy and parenting issues that are helpful for new moms. Most of all, do the things you like to do most: read, meditate, write, and work on crafts. Do something you truly enjoy every day for as much as you can. With time, your baby will start sleeping through the night, and one day you will realize that you can finally catch your "z's". Demetria Zinga is the founder and owner of http://www.faith-media.com, a technology and consulting firm which specializes in web design and hosting, graphics and print designs, internet marketing, and e-training. She is also the founder of http://www.christianladies.net, an interactive ezine, blog, and podcast for Christian women.
MORE RESOURCES:
Men's Health
|
Women's
Health |
Children's
Health |
Elder
Health
Medicine - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Labor and Delivery This is it - the finish line. You and your partner have been training for this event for the last 40 weeks and there is no turning back. How To Avoid Post Partum Depression New mothers sometimes experience "postpartum blues." This is understandable. The Sleepless Challenge For me, it was "welcome to motherhood". Ready or not, I was in for a wonderful experience. Kegel Exercise for a Healthy Pregnancy With Kegal exercise, your pregnancy can be more comfortable before, during, and after your baby is born. With the proper kegal exercise, you can strengthen the vaginal muscles and allow for smoother pregnancy. Twins Pregnancy?A Father's Point of View So you're expecting twins. Congratulations!Are you still in shock? I sure was. Can a Woman With PCOS Get Pregnant? One of the most common questions I get from women who are newly diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome is "Will I ever get pregnant?" I have not been able to find specific studies regarding fertility and PCOS-likely because it is so hard to track those who are successful in getting pregnant without medical intervention. One source said that women with PCOS have an 80-90 percent chance of having a baby, but I was unable to find any research studies to back this up. Moral Armor on Predational Pregnancy We constantly hear of crackdowns on "dead-beat dads," but the topic of how they often originate remains hidden and deserves serious light: Dead-beat Mothers.Imagine if a toy company put out a realistic product for Christmas that had kids screaming, "I want Baby-Waste Your Life! It comes with a work book and legal kit on how to lie, how to sue, how to apply for welfare, the various addictions I'll employ when it blows up in my face and all the excuses I'll need for why my life is not my responsibility!" Why are girls given dolls when we all know what a disaster a baby actually is for a young girl? Why are we shocked, when unprepared for constructive dreams, that is what they choose?Motherhood has always been played off as a moral symbol beyond reproach, so in panic, some women move straight for its cover. Is Pregnancy Changes You? People say pregnancy is a fun and exciting time. Probably they are right, but don't you think that behind the fun and excitement, you also feel the changes in your body. Pregnancy Planner - A Quick Guide Weeks 1 to 3 are the first weeks of pregnancy. Week 1 begins on the first day of your last menstrual period. Vitamin C Prevents Pregnancy Complication Women who supplement with a small amount of vitamin C during the second half of pregnancy reduce their risk of one contributor to premature birth, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005; 81:859-63).The end of pregnancy and the beginning of the birth process is marked by rupture of the walls (membranes) of the sac that holds the growing fetus and the amniotic fluid. What is an Ectopic Pregnancy? Ectopic is another way of saying "out of place". An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself somewhere outside of the uterus. Stress And Pregnancy Stress Relief During PregnancyIf you truly want to ensure a great pregnancy, you should work on keeping a healthy and positive physical, mental and spiritual state. There is substantial evidence which suggests that a mother's physical and mental wellness during pregnancy can affect not only the outcome of their pregnancy but the well being of their child later in life. Infertility and Pregnancy When a couple is unable to conceive a child, it is the couple's problem, and not the "fault" of one partner or the other. Female issues are the most common reasons cited, but some studies suggest that up to 40% of infertility is caused by one or more reasons originating with the male partner. The Developing Child We know the fetus is experiencing whatever is going on with the mother. This is the good news or the bad news as the case may be. So You Think You're Pregnant? A Brief Discussion Of Common Pregnancy Symptoms A baby begins life even before he is born - from conception until the uterus finally pushes him out of his mother's body. This is the phenomenon we call pregnancy. The Myths of Fitness During Pregnancy - The Straight Facts on the ACOG Guidelines The American College of Obstetics and Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines are often misquoted or quoted with outdated information. In fact, two of the myths listed in this article were just printed in a current (Spring 2005), large national publication catering to expectant mothers. Pregnancy Symptoms, Signs and Symptoms of Being Pregnant EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMSAlthough a lot of women experience pregnancy symptoms, and find signs of being pregnant, other's don't "feel" pregnant. Certain signs and symptoms of being pregnant can be confused with other illnesses. Dietary Precautions During Pregnancy When you are pregnant, you should be sure to wash all raw vegetables prior to consumption. Raw vegetables have the potential to carry toxoplasmosis, which is a parasite that is typically carried in the feces of cats. The Ins and Outs of Being a Doula A doula is a Greek word meaning "woman servant." Doulas are trained professionals helping and guiding a woman and her partner through childbirth. Piece of Mind During Pregnancy - It is Possible with Babysheart After four years of marriage my husband and I started to plan for our family. Unfortunately we ran into some fertility issues because of my endometriosis.
|
|
home | site map Men's Health | Women's Health | Children's Health | Elder Health Holistic Health | Healthy Heart | Cancer | Weight Loss Exercise & Fitness | Healthy Resources |
|
|
