Here’s How to Cope With a Newborn During the Pandemic
Parenthood is a wonderful and valuable life experience that involves numerous trials, tribulations and triumphs. While every phase of the parenthood journey is unique and brings its own set of challenges, most parents will agree that the newborn phase is probably the most demanding of them all.
While parents of newborns can generally seek out social support and external help, the lingering fallout of COVID-19 has made it very difficult to do so now. In such a scenario, the following tips can help new parents cope with their newborn:
- Connect with others
When grandparents cannot come over to help out and neighbours cannot drop in for a much-needed distraction, connecting with others can become lifesaving. To kill the isolation caused by the pandemic, try to stay in touch with others as much as possible through relevant means such as social media, phone calls and video chats. Besides emotional support, talking to other people regularly can also help change your perspective on things when it is needed the most.
- Use all the help you can find
Infants can be quite difficult to deal with at times and trying to care for them singlehandedly can prove to be exhausting to a fault. So, look out for any help whenever possible. Engage older siblings as temporary watchers and let your house help carry and soothe the baby for some time. Remember, even a few minutes of break can work wonders to rejuvenate you.
- Do not hesitate to call your paediatrician
If all else fails and you feel particularly helpless and overwhelmed, never hesitate to call for advice. A paediatrician can be the best resource for understanding your newborn’s condition and needs. Furthermore, paediatricians can also help deal with any postpartum depression that you may be experiencing. Given the current situation, you may have to make do with virtual sessions instead of physical visits from your paediatrician, but even such online interactions will undoubtedly provide tremendous assistance to help you cope with your troubles.
- Pay attention to yourself too
Finally, you must take care of yourself and pay attention to your own needs too. Rest as much as you can and try to sleep whenever your baby does. Rejuvenate yourself every now and then by finding time to relax while your partner watches the baby. Just slap on your headphones and listen to some music, or chat with your best friend over the phone, or have a nice cup of tea, maybe – the idea is to just relax and take it easy.
The Road Ahead
Remember, you have waited a long time for your newborn to arrive. Now that they are here, you should try to savour each and every moment with them, even with a pandemic in your midst. So, keep your newborn healthy and happy by taking necessary precautions, and do not hesitate to reach out for help if and when such a need arises.
