You have been eagerly waiting for months for your baby to be born. Now it’s here and the role as parents is exciting and new. It will certainly take a while for everything to settle down at home.
However, shortly after the birth, your newborn baby may be restless and cry more often. After a while, this can spread to you. Added to this are lack of sleep, constant work and being on call. This can quickly take its toll on young parents. Your nerves may become increasingly frayed and you realize that you need more time for yourselves.
There can be situations that make you want to flee. And that’s completely normal, everyone would feel that way! If you have hardly slept for days and your baby is restless, cries and screams a lot or is perhaps even ill, then you should pull the ripcord for yourself. As your own restlessness and nervousness are transferred to the baby, you should make sure that your batteries are recharged in good time.
It often helps to step away from a stressful situation for a short time. When the baby is safe and secure in its crib, go to the open window or onto the balcony and take a few minutes for yourself. Take a deep, slow breath and let your mind wander. This will refresh you and quickly recharge your batteries.
If you need some time away from the baby, ask your partner or a friend, your parents or a neighbor for help. Even an hour just for yourself is enough to get some distance. No matter what you feel like doing, whether it’s a walk alone, reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee or an undisturbed phone call with your best friend – this will help you to get back to yourself and focus on the baby again in a good mood.
If you have skipped all these steps and it’s time for a longer break, you should get help. The grandparents will certainly be happy to help you. If there is no one in your family or circle of friends who can look after the baby for a whole day or over the weekend, then contact your gynecologist or pediatrician for help. Your doctor can prescribe help in overload situations. It can work wonders if someone takes over the shopping or cleaning for you for a limited period of time. Or take the baby off your hands once. This will help you get back on your feet.
Accept help in any case. A baby is simply a lot of work and often presents you with new challenges. And all parents have experienced that sometimes you can’t cope on your own. Get help! Because only well-rested and relaxed parents can cope with difficult phases.
So: get professional help if you are stuck as a family. They will listen to you, encourage you and look for new ways forward:
