Tips For the New Mom
Advice on Healthy Pregnancies and Babies
Congratulations! Being a new mom is scary, but exciting! Here are 10 tips to help guide you along your journey. As a new parent, you have so many questions and concerns about your new body and new baby. Follow these 10 tips before, during and after your pregnancy to help ensure your baby has the best possible start in life:
Take a multivitamin with folic acid each day.
Taking a vitamin with folic acid each day protects your baby from developing neural tube defects while in the womb and helps your body stay strong and healthy.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
You can also get folic acid from foods like leafy greens, sunflower seeds, orange juice, okra and fortified cereals.
Exercise regularly.
Healthy exercise and diet ensures your body will be able to properly carry your unborn child, as well as give her the proper nutrients to develop.
Avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs.
Keep all doctors’ appointments.
Practice safe sex to avoid STDs and unplanned pregnancies.
It is very important that you and your partner practice safe sex to guarantee at least two years between each pregnancy. You need time to recover after carrying the baby because being pregnant really can take a toll on your body – physically and emotionally.
Keep at least two years between each pregnancy.
Proper birth spacing is important for many reasons like giving you more energy, time for your body to gain back the nutrients and less of a chance for complications on your next pregnancy. Not only does this impact your health, but will make a significant difference in the life of your newborn by giving you time to focus your attention on him/her, more time to breastfeed and time for you and the father to bond with him/her.
Choose breastfeeding – best for mom and baby.
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby during at least the first year of life and helps you recover faster from pregnancy. Breast milk is full of important ingredients that boost an infant’s immune system, reduces the risks of many common illnesses and infections and reduces the risk of your child becoming obese in the future.
Put babies to sleep alone on their backs in cribs to prevent sleep-related deaths.
There are a lot of misconceptions about a baby’s sleeping habits, but the safest way for your baby to sleep is alone on their backs in their crib to prevent sleep-related deaths. Sleeping with your baby is extremely dangerous, but sleeping in the same room will help facilitate breastfeeding and the bond between you and your baby.
Teach babysitters, grandparents and friends how to care for babies.
The most important thing to remember is your health between pregnancies has the biggest impact on the health of your unborn child. We wish you a lifetime of good health and happiness as you embark down this new road of motherhood. Enjoy the new addition to your family and be sure you are the healthiest you to ensure your baby has the healthiest start in life!