It’s crazy to think how in one day you suddenly become a parent and with that also become responsible for another little human being that you have created and delivered into this world! It’s really an overwhelming feeling to become a mother and I still can’t believe the amount of love I instantly have for our baby girl. People do try to tell you about the feeling, but it’s really indescribable - you have to experience it yourself to comprehend it.. I was really lucky to have my mother staying with us in the beginning to help out and it was great having her here! Did you know in China they actually have a tradition called “Sitting the Month” or Zuo Yuezi that goes back thousands of years to the Han Dynasty in China, where it was recognized that the month directly after childbirth is crucial to the future health of the mother and newborn? It is now a full industry involving luxury hotels with doctors on call in house and a nurse in the room at all times. Families who can’t afford a luxury hotel still do a version of Zuo Yuezi where the new mother stays with a family member so she can have help recovering and focus on her baby!
Anyway when you can, make sure to call out for help with cooking, cleaning etc not just daily visitors who you will have to serve whilst they want to touch & hold your baby! We had a few visitors in the beginning, but mainly family as I think it is important to give time not only for the newborn but also for you as new parents. Not only are you exhausted mentally & physically from the experience, but people also bring germs and too many visitors can also stress you out in various ways (bringing gossip, giving unwanted advice, criticising, etc.), People can also be super helpful however, so use your intuition on this one and accept help when needed, but don’t be afraid to ask others to wait until you feel stronger.
Our baby girl has been amazing - from the first day she already did very long sleeps at night (4-5h even 6h!) and whilst some doctors tell you to wake the baby up every 2-3 hours to feed, our doctor advised that it’s best to let her sleep if she wishes! I’ve never ever spent so much time in the house in my entire life, but I can’t say I’m bored since every minute I spend with her is so precious and I still have to pinch myself some days to make sure she’s not a dream I’m going to wake up from.. I must say everything has been going well, except the fact that I got a breast infection aka mastitis, which was not a joke! I had fever, headaches and aches in my neck and whole body - I haven’t felt that weak and ill in a long time (or never!), not even after the birth! And even though I managed to get rid of it naturally the first time (with homeopathy, cabbage leaves, potato compress, hot shower & massaging etc) it came back and I had to opt for antibiotics to make sure it’s totally gone. Plus if you leave it untreated, it can cause breast abscess which might require a surgery, so I didn’t want it to go that far! All in all, becoming a parent is truly the best feeling in the world, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility, dedication and work, but it’s definitely the best ‘job’ I’ve ever had! If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to reach out via Instagram or email me!
P.S. Make sure to take a lot of photos and videos of your newborn since the change by the day! And keep a diary! If not for you but for your child to read in the future like my mum did for me!
