There are a few times in life that bring complete fear and anxiety, none bigger than bringing home a new baby. Sure, there are plenty of friends and family eagerly waiting, taking tons of photos, offering congratulations, and tears of joy. But then the crowd fades and the doctor hands you your tiny baby, the nurse wheels you out the doors of the hospital, and BAM - you are on your own.
Being a new parent means huge changes in life roles and babies don’t come with a manual. At times it can feel like a guessing game and you may wonder, “Am I really the best person for the job?”
The good news is, if you’re the parent you are the best person for this job. Your baby doesn’t need perfect, they just need you. It’s biological, they are going to bond to you like a magnet to steel.
We get it. It’s a lot of pressure. This tiny, little, fragile creature is going to need so much. It is perfectly natural that your psyche is screaming, “You can’t do this!” What you must remember is that it’s ok to be afraid and nervous. It’s perfectly natural. You can figure this all out, and you will. Here are a few tips for new parents to get started with gaining confidence and parent know-how.
Get a plan. Before you go to the hospital, make sure you have all the preparation for the baby and family for at least a few weeks. Fewer tasks on the to-do list can go a long way to building family calm. So, stock the freezer with meals, get the nursery all set up and decide in advance who will do what in regards to the baby care and household tasks.
Get educated. A lot of the know-how will come from firsthand experience, but so much can be learned in advance by taking a class, reading, and simply asking for help from family.
Use your support. This is the time to reach out. Your friends and family would most likely enjoy helping out, but you have to ask. Family members tend to back off to allow the new parent privacy but are eager to help if asked. So, ask away.
Tell that voice in your head to pipe down. Replace the voice with a healthy mantra-like, “Yep, I am anxious but I can do this,” or “We can figure it out and it’s going to be great.”
