Becoming a mother is such a unique and rewarding experience. As a new mom, you’re undoubtedly experiencing numerous life-altering changes. From changes to your body to caring for a new life, motherhood is full of unique challenges that you must overcome. The responsibility along as a first-time mom can easily feel overwhelming at times. This is why it’s so important that you remember you aren’t alone during this time.
There are numerous online resources and support systems that can help you during this transitional period. There are also various tools designed to help moms adjust more efficiently and hold on to what they can of their old routines. The following are some useful tips and resources for first-time moms that are looking for some guidance.
Find the best breast pump for you.
It’s very common for some new moms to believe they won’t need a breast pump. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or your planning on going back to work, a breast pump is a great asset to have. Even with regular breastfeeding, you will likely need a breast pump to help with excess breast milk that may be causing you discomfort. You can then store and freeze this extra breast milk for later use, or even donate it to mamas with infants who they’re not able to breastfeed for various reasons. Having a milk supply of plenty of ounces of breast milk on hand is an incredibly convenient option for busy moms. Because there are numerous different models of breast pumps available today, new moms should research these products carefully before purchasing one.
Truly Mama is a great online support system for new and existing moms alike. Their in-depth breast pump comparison breaks down all the most important aspects when it comes to choosing a pump model for your pump sessions. This article is not only an incredibly thorough review of some of the top pumps (like Medela, Spectra, and Elvie) but it also explains how a breast pump can be of great value to your specific situation. Every mom’s body is different and so are her circumstances. The article is also written by a mother who enthusiastically shares her experience using breast pumps so that other moms can benefit from her story. From manual pumps to double electric pumps, the options are seemingly endless. This is a highly useful resource for determining which type of breast pump will work best for your life and budget.
Prepare for emergencies.
When you become a mother for the first time, you may feel that you’re unprepared, and this feeling is completely normal. As moms, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves while simultaneously facing huge amounts of societal pressures. The most important thing you can do as a mother is your best. Educate yourself, build a support system, and prepare yourself for your journey. Even when it feels like you can never be prepared enough, this isn’t the case. Seeking help and knowledge from professionals is one of the best ways you can prepare for the case of an emergency as a mom.
Medical emergencies can happen, and oftentimes, they’re nobody’s fault. This is why it’s so important to prepare because sometimes you can’t predict these things. CPR is an essential skill for all parents to have, especially stay-at-home parents who are caring for their kids around the clock. A CPR certificate can allow you to feel more prepared in the case of an emergency because you’ll be better equipped to handle it if it does happen.
The American CPR Care Association offers access to CPR classes for healthcare provider programs to the general public in the United States. This course material not only better prepares new moms but it gives them peace of mind. Healthcare professionals aren’t the only people who can benefit from learning basic life support skills, and this type of education should be readily available to more people. Thanks to CPR Care, now it is. A certificate for CPR training can go a long way in becoming prepared as a new mom, as well as building your confidence in your parenting.
Take back control of your body.
When you give birth, whether it’s your first time or fifth, your body experiences many changes. One very common (and completely normal) condition that many mothers face is urinary incontinence. Giving birth is undeniably a trauma for your vagina and pelvic floor, and it can have a variety of effects on your reproductive organs and bladder. Urinary incontinence is often kept quiet by women and mothers because it’s seen as embarrassing, but this shouldn’t be the case. It’s also a commonly held belief that incontinence is something that only older women experience, but this simply isn’t true. This health condition is widely shared by millions of women, and it should be more openly discussed and normalized.
While there are various medications available on the market today for treating urinary incontinence, some bladder muscle exercises and bladder training may be needed to treat your incontinence. Urine leakage is also very common for new moms even if you aren’t experiencing full incontinence. In order to find the best urinary incontinence treatment for your particular circumstances, you should consult your primary healthcare provider. Depending on your specific type of incontinence issues, your doctor can help you develop a treatment plan of medications and bladder control techniques that can help prevent leakage and promote urinary retention. Whether your incontinence is caused by Overactive Bladder (OAB) or trauma to your bladder and urethra tissues, there are treatment options out there that can help you.
