Survivor – New Mom Edition

March 22, 2023 Women

If you’re a brand new mom, you may feel like you’re on an episode of “Survivor”. Life with a new baby can be pretty rough. You’re sleep deprived, often unable to take a shower and at times you feel like crying—especially when you look in the mirror or try to put on your “before baby” clothes. Welcome to new motherhood! Survival for new moms includes 4 basic topics: Schedule, Sleep, Mood and Food. Just repeat after me: I can DO this!

Schedule

What schedule? The thing about having a new baby is it’s hard to have a regular routine. In fact, if you try to put your baby on a schedule, it can mess up their internal feeding “clock”, which can lead to overeating. On the other hand, not having any routine can make you feel disorganized and out of sync. To help, try writing a list of things you want to get done each day. For example:

  • Monday morning: make a menu and a grocery list.
  • Tuesday afternoon: go grocery shopping.
  • Once a day: take a walk.

Those first few weeks, don’t put much on your daily schedule. As you get used to your baby’s routines and feel more rested, you can increase the things you can get done in a day and add more detail to your to-do list. Just remember that as your baby grows and changes, so will their (and your) schedule!

SLEEP

That thing everybody says—“sleep when the baby sleeps”—is true. If you don’t rest when they do, you won’t have the energy to keep up—and not being rested can affect your milk supply, your mood, and your risk of getting sick.

Not getting enough sleep can even affect your weight loss! Exercise can help you relax and sleep better, so put your baby in the stroller and take a walk around the block or take a lap inside the nearest discount store.

Not getting enough sleep can even affect your weight loss! Exercise can help you relax and sleep better, so put your baby in the stroller and take a walk around the block or take a lap inside the nearest discount store.

MOOD

Do your moods go up and down like a roller coaster? Does this describe you at times:

anxious

irritated

restless

sad

hopeless

teary-eyed

These are symptoms of the “baby blues” which affect most women the first few weeks after delivery. Talking to someone and getting help around the house is your first line of defense.

But if these feelings continue or become stronger, you may have postpartum depression, which happens to about 1 in 10 new moms. Finishing simple chores around the house may seem impossible, you may not be able to sleep or eat, or you may feel very anxious. It can get so bad that you may have thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby.

You may be ashamed to tell anyone about these feelings, but it’s so important that you get help! Talk to your health care provider, the WIC nutritionist, peer counselor or your pastor about your feelings.

FOOD

A friend of mine had a baby with colic—she lived on crackers for days. Don’t let this happen to you! Use these tips to have food ready when you need it.

  • Friends and family will ask how they can help. Ask them to cook for you and give them ideas of what to make. Store in freezable containers or zipper bags.
  • Make a menu—this may be the most important tip and it will keep you from standing in front of the refrigerator at 5 pm saying, “what can I make for dinner?”
  • Use a crockpot to make one-dish meals—like chili, stews and even brisket. Eat some now and freeze the rest for later.
  • Make blender meals or snacks with yogurt, frozen fruit and a few spoons of uncooked oatmeal. Toss in some spinach or kale to turn it green and punch the nutrients up a notch.

Remember, the days may seem long, but the years go fast, so enjoy them!

The ‘I’m a WIC Client’ button now directs to Nutrition and Breastfeeding, the content offered on the site has not changed.

Side Lying Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Cross Cradle Hold

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football Hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Breastfeeding Holds

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position