The first days with a newborn. What should you prepare for when you return home?
Joy, euphoria and… a reality check. When we leave hospital after giving birth, we experience a mixture of emotions. Parents wonder how they will cope with the new situation, whether they will manage their responsibilities and care for their little one. Our conversation with midwife Patrycja Gonczarko will help put those worries to rest.
Statistically, 70% of newborns have difficulty latching onto the nipple to feed, and 30% of mums report problems with lactation. That can be stressful! But does the time after returning home from hospital have to feel like a test? We ask experienced midwife Patrycja Gonczarko about this and other concerns.
A few difficult days. How can you make them easier?
Everything in our family has just changed. We now have a tiny person in our care, for whom we are responsible. The way we look after them is subject to criticism from those around us. Mum is recovering from childbirth, which is undoubtedly a difficult period. Stress sets in.
‘Difficulties arise that may involve feeding, everyday care, looking after your baby, sleeping and waking. So there is a lot going on. Yet, although this may be a difficult time for us, it is also a beautiful one,’ Patrycja Gonczarko reassures us. ‘It is worth preparing for it, because there are plenty of challenges ahead, but years later we will look back on it with a tear in our eye.’
Feeding difficulties are one of the biggest concerns for new mums. ‘I think the right technique for putting the baby to the breast is crucial here,’ the midwife observes. ‘The baby should always be held tummy to tummy with mum, with their ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line,’ Patrycja Gonczarko advises. ‘That may sound obvious, but imagine drinking through a straw with your head turned to one side. Even swallowing becomes difficult,’ she explains.
The midwife adds that a correct latch should not cause pain. ‘There may be some discomfort at the beginning, although not necessarily, and it should disappear during the feed,’ she explains.
Mum, look after yourself: how can you get sleep with a newborn?
Breastfeeding alone uses around 500 calories a day. That is why, while breastfeeding, we should take care of our diet, choosing healthy, nourishing food, as well as hydration, supplementation and sleep. ‘Mum should be rested, relaxed and getting enough sleep. But it is not that simple. That is why I urge breastfeeding mothers to make sure they get the right amount of sleep,’ says Patrycja Gonczarko.
The midwife encourages mums to sleep when the baby sleeps, including during the day. ‘The household chores will still be there. We must remember that our bodies are doing a great deal: we are feeding a little person. We need to look after our own comfort,’ she explains.
‘A baby picks up directly on their mother’s emotions. When mum is stressed, the baby will be stressed too. That is why dad is so important in this process. If dad wants to give the baby a sense of calm and security, he needs to provide that for mum,’ the midwife emphasises.