1 Month Postpartum With a Newborn

No one prepares you for how hard raising a child can be after you leave the hospital. They say it takes a village to raise a child, so use your village and get all the help you can, because the first few weeks are the hardest— but it gets easier.

Your first day home from the hospital, everything seems so different. You feel so excited to bring your new bundle of joy home. Waiting and anticipating what your first night will be like. You are ready to relax in the comfort of your own home, only to realize there's no chance to relax anymore. All your time and energy is now put into making sure your son/daughter is fed and has his/her diaper changed every two to three hours.

If you are strictly breastfeeding, first thing you should know is that it will be hard the first couple times. But it gets better, I promise. You just have to be patient with yourself and with your child. Also, if you choose not to breastfeed, that is okay too. Breastfeeding is not for everyone and it can definitely take a toll on some women. Breastfeeding provides all the nutrients a baby needs, but if it gets too hard on you, you can choose to formula feed. Some women even breastfeed while supplementing with formula. When I first came home from the hospital, all I wanted to do was breastfeed. It was very painful to breastfeed at first. My nipples were swollen and red from having blood filled blisters. I felt like it was the only way my son would get all the nutrients he needed, so I continued to breastfeed and pump, knowing it was so painful. It took every ounce of energy I had, trying to keep up with his feedings and using a pump to help produce my milk. It was a very hard and emotional first couple of weeks, but it did get easier. Patience is everything.

Make sure you get sleep when your little one sleeps. Like I said, you're going to have no energy from keeping up with feedings and diaper changes. Sleeping for a few hours at a time will at least give you some energy to not go insane. If possible, try to get a set schedule. If you know your son/daughter eats every two to three hours, try feeding them at the same time every day. Once they get used to that schedule, you will be more prepared for the next feedings each time you feed. Eventually, your son/daughter will start to sleep a little longer at night, which means more sleep for you.

With all the ups and downs the first few weeks, knowing it gets easier should help ease your anxiety. Then again, it may not. Just know that your little one is depending you and YOU CAN DO IT. Just take it day by day. If you are offered help, TAKE IT! The MORE help you have, the more energy you can save tending to your baby. Each day you will learn something new. Each day you will bond with your baby. Each day is another obstacle that you will overcome. Like I said, its hard but it definitely gets easier. I promise!