Robin Elise Weiss - The Everything Mothers First Year Book: A Survival Guide for the First 12 Months of Being a Mom

Dear Reader:

Congratulations on the newest edition to your family! Having a baby is one of the most exciting experiences you will ever have. Your life will change immensely, both in ways that others can see and in ways that only you will know.

Becoming a mother is an in-depth adjustment process. During the first year of your babys life, dramatic changes will take place. Your baby will transition from a helpless newborn to an active and communicative little person in only a few months. Every moment of a mothers first year is an amazing journey.

While watching your baby grow is tremendously exciting, it is also very difficult. After experiencing nine months of pregnancy, you have to adjust to your new babys needs and presence, and you must incorporate your new life with the one you had before your bundle of joy arrived. Your body will change wildly, and youll wonder if youll ever get it under control again (you will!).

This book will hold your hand as you walk down the path of new motherhood. From dealing with postpartum issues and caring for your baby to getting back into shape and rejoining your husband in the bedroom, this book will give you all the information you need to adjust to your new family.

Best of luck,

Editorial

Production

Visit the entire Everything Series atwww.everything.com

THE
EVERYTHING

MOTHERS
FIRST YEAR
BOOK

A survival guide for the first
12 months of being Mom

Robin Elise Weiss,
Certified Childbirth Educator

To my sister, Amanda. Thanks for always being there for me.

Copyright 2005, F+W Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.

www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN: 1-59337-425-9
Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E D C B A

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Weiss, Robin Elise.
The everything mothers first year book / by Robin Elise Weiss
p. cm
ISBN 1-59337-425-9
1. Infants. 2. InfantsCare. 3. Mother and Infant. 4. MothersPsychology.
5. MothersHealth and hygiene. 6. MothersLife skills guides. I. Title: Mothers first year book. II. Title.
HQ774.W42 2005
005.57DC22
2005016168

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, call 1-800-872-5627.

I would like to thank several people for their help with this book: Kate Burgo, for being a patient and kind editor; Barb Doyen, for answering my annoying e-mails and always being my advocate; my family, for allowing me to lock myself in a room with my laptop over and over again; my friendsKim, Eve, April, Sharon, Marci, and Nicolefor listening; Amy White, Angela Young, and Denay Vargas, for teaching me the value of postpartum supportwithout you, I may not have made it through some of the roughest but most rewarding times of my life. The work you do for mothers everywhere is a testament to postpartum doulas.

1. Babies are cute, but they take a lot of work.

2. Postpartum doesnt last forever.

3. Breastfeeding gets easier.

4. Babies do sleep through the night eventually.

5. A few mistakes dont mean youre a bad mother.

6. Everyone needs help.

7. You will get your body back.

8. Yes, there is sex after baby.

9. Its okay not to be a supermom.

10. Dirty diapers wont kill youthey just smell like they will.

There are a million beautiful moments, exciting events, and fun changes that take place during the first year of motherhood. Probably the most thrilling part is watching your baby grow. Babies learn so many amazing things during the first year. Your baby will go from being unable to hold up her head to being able to crawl, smile, and stand up. Each milestone is a cause for celebration. Caring for your baby will be fun and rewarding, but it will also be a big adjustment. Along with the excitement come challenges, and you will need to work through each one with patience and confidence.

Most families go through at least a few rough times during the first year of their babys life. This is not to say that you cannot overcome these obstacles, but problems will arise that will be difficult to anticipate and deal with. Anything from a bump on babys head to babys runny nose could easily unsettle a new mother. There will be decisions to make, such as who can be trusted to babysit, and when you will go back to work, if at all. Additionally, you will be adapting to your new lifestyle, new body, and new outlook. Your relationship with your spouse will change as well. These aspects just take some getting used to.

One issue youve likely heard a lot about is the postpartum period. The term