ALL ABOUT BABIES AND TODDLERS

Emotions after childbirth

A lot of Mothers have mixed emotions when their baby is first born; this is hardly surprising as hormones change a lot during pregnancy.

These mixed emotions should not make you question your ability to be a good mother as they are experienced by many women.

Whatever your feelings you must look after the needs of your newborn child. Even if you start off thinking that this is a chore, repetition and contact with your baby almost certainly mean that you begin to enjoy it.

Having friends and family around too often can make it difficult for you to concentrate on developing a relationship with your baby, but persevere and things will begin to improve..

Many new mothers can take quite a while to feel a bond with their new baby.

If you are finding it difficult to bond with your new baby, an understanding partner and the support of friends and family will help enormously.You will find that, right from the beginning of their life, a newborns  reflexes and senses are surprisingly well developed .

If you and the baby had to be separated after childbirth, maybe because additional care had to be provided by the hospital nursing staff and doctors in special care units, it will probably take longer for you and your baby to start developing your bond.

You will almost certainly find that once you start getting involved more in the care of your baby, any strange emotions will begin to fade away; you will begin to love your child in the way that you had expected.

If you worried about anything it is always a good idea to discuss your concerns with your doctor and nurses (or the midwife or others involved in post natal care). They will probably be dealing with similar situations on a daily basis. They are in a better position to listen and give informed advice rather than a well intentioned friend or neighbour who might not properly understand the situation.

Always follow the advice of your doctor. Having a newborn baby is an enormous change to your life and it can take time to get accustomed to what is required. Don't try to rush things.

Hopefully, you will not have mixed emotions towards your baby, but it is always best to be prepared, just in case. You will be better able to deal with these issues if you have already thought about them.

Articles about babies and Parents