Sleeping and Eating Schedule for You and Baby
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the constant needs of your baby, find out what is normal newborn behavior. You will discover that all babies are different, and while many babies develop a regular sleeping and eating pattern after a few weeks, many babies remain unpredictable for much longer. Both are normal according to Parenting and Child Health http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx
It takes several weeks for a baby's circadian rhythms to develop, which means he will not sleep through the night until his body regulates itself. Even then, he may still have trouble sleeping without waking to eat, and this is perfectly normal. By educating yourself, you will learn to recognize typical newborn behavior, which will help you understand and cope with your baby's sleeping and eating habits.
Rest
Being a mother of a newborn is exhausting. Their sleeping is sporadic and they often have insatiable appetites. It is important for you to seek help and accept when it is offered. It is easier and more enjoyable to care for your baby when you are well rested. If you are formula feeding, have your partner take over some of the nighttime feedings. If you are breastfeeding, let your partner change the baby's diaper and rock her when you are finished nursing. Not only will this give you a little more time to rest, but it will give your partner an opportunity to bond with the baby.
Exercise
Resume exercising once your doctor tells you it is acceptable to do so. Exercise is a great stress reliever and can be done with your baby. Strap her into her stroller and walk around the block. Look into taking a Mommy and Me exercise class if there is one offered in your area.
Nutrition, Nutrition
Your baby is not the only one that requires a nutritious diet. While many mothers assume they only need a well-balanced diet if they are breastfeeding, they are wrong. Everyone should eat a well-balanced diet, but it is particularly important for new mothers. A new baby puts a tremendous amount of stress on a mom, and mothers most expend a great deal of energy caring for their new little ones. Try to eat a diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Make sure you are getting enough protein and fiber in your diet. Not only will you feel better, eating the right amounts of healthy foods will help you lose your baby weight more quickly.
Some ideas for healthy eating:
- fortified cereals
- cantaloupe
- carrots
- bananas
- orange juice
- yogurt
- milk
- nuts
- fish
- beans
While you may not have much control over how much you sleep while caring for your baby, it should be nice to realize you still control the foods you eat.
© 2012
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