Bringing A New Baby Home

I remember vividly the sheer terror I felt bringing a new baby home from the hospital. I remember wondering, so you’re just going to let me take him home? He’s just going to be a real, live human baby in my home that’s now a permanent part of my life???

The shock and elation was overwhelming! I was thrilled, yet terrified! At 33, I had waited such a long time to start a family and the day had finally come. 

Parenting during the postpartum period can be rough! You feel like you’re living in a whole new body that certainly doesn’t feel like an upgrade. Your skin feels loose, your uterus is still shrinking, and you continue to bleed for quite some time.  

If you choose to breastfeed, you have sore nipples that might actually bleed. You want to hold and cuddle your baby, yet you feel touched out sometimes. Or maybe often! 

The sleep! Or should I say lack of sleep? You’re trying desperately to get some rest, but it feels like you hear your baby crying as soon as you find sleep. 

These experiences can be mixed with overwhelming feelings of love. Love that’s so intense it almost hurts. 

You might look to books, pediatricians, friends, or family members for advice. You want what’s best for your child. You get so much conflicting information that adds to the overwhelm and confusion. 

Pediatricians say “let them cry it out.” Your mom says, “don’t hold the baby too long or too much.” Friends ask, “are they sleeping through the night yet” or “have you moved them to their own bed?” Everyone has an opinion! Maybe you see some conflicting advice on social media. It’s okay to “contact nap” or be “responsive” and go to comfort your baby in the night. 

But how are you supposed to know what’s right?? Honestly, it’s very confusing. I have spent countless hours reading and studying what’s best for your baby. That doesn’t mean what’s easiest or most popular. 

At Safe Haven Trauma Services, we provide counseling to help guide you on what is best for your child and supports secure attachment. Our approach is grounded in attachment research and our goal is to help you to establish a secure bond and attachment between you and your baby. 

Secure attachment is linked to many positive and successful outcomes for your child, like achievement socially and academically. 

If you’re interested in postpartum counseling, please reach out to us!