Bringing a new life into the world (even if you already have children) is a major adjustment for anyone. Changes in the structure of the day, changes in sleep patterns, and the welcoming of a newborn into the home takes some time to get used to.
A new identity
When you bring home a newborn, you are also giving birth to a new you. Having a baby or adding another child to your family changes everything in your world.
New moms are always expressing how their priorities change when having a child. For some, this brings up a sense of imbalance. You may have expected to go back to work and resume your career a few weeks or months after the birth of your child, but when it happens, we can feel emotionally torn trying to juggle work with being a new mother. In addition to this, we also need to be there for our partner and take care of the logistics of running a household. All these new additions to our responsibilities can cause overwhelm.
The changes in priorities and responsibilities can cause us to feel confused or lost. We may begin to question who we are trying to be and how to navigate this new identity.
Adjustment issues
For some families, adjusting to all of the changes that come with bringing home a new baby can be integrated relatively smoothly; for others, it can be more difficult. Not all babies are the same; some are easier to sooth than others; some babies have colic, which interferes with how much sleep parents are getting and can cause more stress than expected.
Attachment issues
In most cases, the natural bond between parent and child happens instantly, but for some, it takes longer. It could take days or even weeks to develop a strong connection to your baby. When this happens the parents can feel guilty and worried.
Usually, with support and rest, you will feel more attached. If you are struggling with building a bond with your baby, therapy can help. A therapist understands what you are going through and what is normal. The development of a strong attachment is crucial to the emotional, social, and physical health of the child. If you would like to read more about infant attachment you can click here.
Anxiety
Some new mothers experience anxiety which is very normal. When taking care of a newborn we have questions. Even if we have children already, every baby is different. We may not always know what our baby needs or wants and we want to give them the best care possible.
For some mothers, especially those who are facing other stresses such as relationship or family issues, can begin to feel anxious and overwhelmed. There is much to balance in the life of a new mother.
Therapy can help
After the birth of a child, every new mom is faced with navigating a major life transition. Changes in priorities and our sense of identity, as well as dealing with the normal worry that comes with raising children, can be daunting for the best of us. Sessions with the right therapist can ease this transition and offer support in a safe and friendly setting.
Therapy helps us be our best selves. At a time when you are taking care of others, it is crucial to also take care of yourself.
If you would like to learn more you are welcome to call and book your first appointment or fill out my contact form and click Send.