Week 1
The first week of your baby's life brings big adjustments for both of you. You are adjusting to being a mother and caring for your baby, and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. Don't expect too much of yourself during these first days! If anyone offers you help, take it!
During your baby's first few weeks of life, he will be concentrating on getting to know you and his surroundings. Your baby needs to be handled so that life outside the womb seems as little different as possible to life inside the womb. Your baby's needs, while they may seem overwhelming to you, are really simple: food, warmth and comfort from cuddling. Wrap him snugly and warmly, hold him closely, handle him slowly, and feed him when he's hungry. Your baby will have the routing and sucking reflexes, as well as tongue thrust. These are needed to get nourishment from the breast or bottle. You can also use this time to bond with your baby with lots of skin to skin contact. Click here to learn how to give your baby an infant massage.
If you are breastfeeding, be patient while you and your baby are getting the hang of it! It may take several weeks until you both feel comfortable, and get a feeding schedule down.
What you may be feeling and experiencing now:
· Exhaustion!
· Bloody vaginal discharge for the first week or so
· Discomfort or pain in the perineal area if you had a vaginal delivery
· Incision pain or numbness if you had a cesarean delivery
· Abdominal cramping (afterpains) as the uterus contracts
· Elation or depression or swings between both
· Breast discomfort or engorgement
· Fears about your adequacy as a mother
· Profuse sweating after the first couple of days
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