{"id":80568,"date":"2022-09-27T08:43:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T08:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=80568"},"modified":"2022-09-27T08:43:31","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T08:43:31","slug":"stress-of-having-a-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/pregnancy\/stress-of-having-a-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Tips to Cope With the Stress of Having a Baby"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Baby<\/p>\n

Late-night cuddles<\/span><\/a> and that sweet newborn smell are just some of the many things there are to love after having a baby. But a significant life change can bring on the stress of having a baby.<\/span><\/p>\n

Few first-time parents escape the anxiety that comes with learning how to take care of a brand-new person.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are overwhelmed with newborn life, you’re not alone. You and your spouse have developed a routine together. It is natural to feel that having a baby has thrown a wrench into your otherwise perfect rhythm.<\/span><\/p>\n

The lack of a consistent schedule, sleep deprivation, and the shock of changing what feels like a thousand diapers a day can be stressful. Keep reading to learn how to cope with newborn baby stress and love your life with a newborn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related Reading:<\/i><\/b> 6 Tips to Prepare Your Home and Yourself for Your Newborn<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
<\/span>Does parent stress affect the baby?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with newborn madness, you’re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n
Irrespective of the parenting books you read, nothing truly prepares you for the stress of caring for newborns while sleep-deprived.<\/span><\/p>\n
You know how you feel, but does the stress of having a baby affect your little one? Studies show that <\/span>negative<\/span><\/a> parent emotions are linked to unfavorable outcomes for children.<\/span><\/p>\n
Can babies sense stress? Research indicates that responsive parenting (parents who respond to a child’s needs with warm acceptance and interest instead of stress and anxiety) may protect children from negative biological and <\/span>behavioral issues<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n
On the other hand, children who sense their parents are consistently stressed out have been <\/span>linked<\/span><\/a> to negative physical and mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n
First-time mom anxiety is natural and your baby seeing you in a constant state of stress may affect them long-term. The gratifying news is that there are easy ways to remedy your newborn stress.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span>15 tips for coping with the stress of having a baby<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Learning the dos and don’ts of newborn care can be a daunting task. Don’t let the stress of being a newborn parent spoil all there is to love about this beautiful journey you’ve started.<\/span><\/p>\n
\"Couple<\/p>\n
Here are some stress management tips for new moms with newborn babies.<\/span><\/p>\n
1. Sleep, when you want to<\/b><\/h3>\n
“Sleep when the baby sleeps.” As a new parent, you may have heard this well-meaning newborn care tip more times than you can count.<\/span><\/p>\n
The problem is that you may not want to sleep when your baby sleeps. You may be excited about some free time that you want to spend on yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n
Sleep is essential, especially as an overwhelmed new parent learning how to take care of a newborn. But only sleep when the baby sleeps if that’s what you want to do.<\/span><\/p>\n
2. Confide in other parents<\/b><\/h3>\n
If you don’t have parent-friends, now is the time to get some.<\/span><\/p>\n
Your friends who have already run the gauntlet of newborn life are a wealth of information for new parents.<\/span><\/p>\n
Having a baby is way better (and much less confusing) when you have a community of sage-advice-giving friends at your side.<\/span><\/p>\n
Related Reading: <\/i><\/b>10 Key Facts You Must Know Before Becoming a Parent<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/pre>\n
3. Accept help<\/b><\/h3>\n
Learning how to take care of a newborn is stressful, and a stressed parent will lead to a stressed baby.<\/span><\/p>\n
One piece of newborn advice is not to take everything on by yourself. Allow yourself to say “Yes!” when people offer to help you.<\/span><\/p>\n