Becoming a mother is a rite of passage for many women and it is a huge transition in your life. Suddenly you have to deal with lack of sleep and hormones coursing through your system that you are not used to, not to mention having to learn how to look after the babbling bundle of joy that you have brought into the world. All this on top of coping with your physical body recovering from the trauma of the birthing process and from having carried the pregnancy to full term.
Many women take it all in their stride but many find the changes all too much to cope with. Babies don’t come with a manual and the only means they have of communicating in the early days is by crying. All of these things can unsettle you and knock your confidence. It’s very easy to spiral downhill and post natal depression is much more common than many of us think.
Here’s My Advice On How To Cope With Becoming A Mother
1. You Are Not Alone
It’s very important to understand that you are not the only one that is going through these changes. Talk to other new mums. Talk about the issues you are facing, share stories. You will most likely find that all other new mums are also facing the same issues.
2. Get Online And Get Support
There are so many support groups on the internet that you can access to help yourself. If you are in Dubai, there is a fabulous group of supportive women called Real Mums. Their Facebook group is a wonderful source of support and advice from other mums and professionals. Mind gives good advice on how to recognise symptoms and how to get help. ThetaHealing® can also be of great benefit to mums who are struggling to cope. Never be afraid to ask. The chances are that someone will have been through what you are facing and can offer a few words of reassurance.
3. Get Out And About
Get out of the house and meet other mums. It’s good for the soul. Staring at the same four walls with no one to talk to is not healthy, so join some mother and baby groups that take you out of your home and gives you a change of scenery.
4. Accept Things For What They Are
Don’t try to be a hero. You are not superhuman, you are allowed to make mistakes. You are allowed to get it wrong sometimes. You are also allowed to let the laundry pile up and the dishes go unwashed. Give yourself a break!
5. Let Others Help
If you are exclusively breast feeding your baby, it’s sometimes too much of a worry to leave him/her with someone else for a while. It’s OK to ask for help. Ask someone to look after your baby at home while you get some sleep, your baby will be OK for an hour or so. And if not, you will still be on hand if necessary.
6. Don’t Worry
Your hormones will settle down eventually and you will get more sleep eventually but if you find that things are not settling down, seek professional help. Your little one is only little for a very short time in their life. Cherish every moment.
Suz McDonald
Founder of Heart Mind Happy
I am a certified ThetaHealing® Instructor, life management consultant and a mandala artist. Also certified reiki and Access Bars, I combine these techniques to bring about positive change in your life.
Join me for a one on one consultation or a meditation and mandala workshop and take the first step to changing your life for the better.
“The ThetaHealing® Technique is a meditation training technique utilising a spiritual philosophy for improvement and evolvement of mind, body and spirit.”
