Baby - Newborn

By Howa

May 16, 2023 4 min. reading time

The first year with baby

Being a mother for a year is a happiness that is both overwhelming and exhausting. First smile, first tooth, first oatmeal, first steps, first words – the first year of motherhood is one of the most stressful years of our lives. Happiness and joy, tears and drama, exhaustion and tiredness, but also contentment and pleasure – all these feelings shape this special and above all new phase of life.

One would think that with all the information available on the internet, in readings, and books, one’s own knowledge would be almost limitless and one could not be better prepared for every situation. But as so often happens, things do not develop as expected.

What can help both the newborn baby and the young mom at the same time

The right time allocation – clear structures and routines

Especially at the beginning, you have to practice time management a bit, and that is completely normal. Newborns have needs; they are hungry, they often sleep when they shouldn’t, or they need to be changed or dressed. Therefore, you should definitely plan enough time for important appointments with a newborn. If you used to need 10 minutes to leave the house, it can now easily take 50-60 minutes.

Good time management is also important because it makes the day much easier. Routines keep both mother and newborn on track and serve as a good guide. In addition, babies quickly get used to them and use them as their first reference to better understand their daily life. After the first few months, the baby has learned some daily activities very well, and they have become a fixed part of life.

With a newborn, also think about the mom’s well-being

Every mom wants to be a perfect mother who handles everything easily and gets everything done. Professionalism at the highest level, dedication to the children, and a perfect home – that is pure maternal perfectionism – but it only brings stress.

To do the mom job as well as possible, it is important that every mom can above all still be herself.

The right activities for the newborn

With the right time management and the right activities, every mom can also find some time to catch her breath and put her feet up. Because with a newborn, it is important to recharge your own energy reserves again and again. Sleepless nights, household chores, constant stress are no basis for a beautiful time together.

Baby toys - activities from birth

Newborns need, besides a lot of sleep, also a lot of attention and opportunities for activity. But that doesn’t mean mom has to entertain the baby nonstop around the clock. It is therefore a great idea to lay the little one on a cozy play mat and keep them busy with a play arch. There is so much to discover for the little one here: colors, shapes, rattles, and they can wonderfully practice grasping while mom can sit on the sofa in between and just watch. This way, mom can do something good for both the little one and herself.

Baby toys - howa play arch Baby Gym "space" 6019 — Baby play arch Baby Gym "Space" by howa

Baby toys - howa play arch Baby Gym "my rainbow" — Baby play arch Baby Gym "My rainbow" by howa

Relaxation and recovery phases for newborn and mom

Feeling good brings energy and joy of life for mother and child

Everyone is sure that with a newborn, rest and relaxation are hardly possible. But that is a big misconception. Because the more structured and clear the daily routine and rhythm are for everyone, the more relaxed it becomes.

Every day at the same time:

get up,
get ready,
breakfast,
go for a walk,
play or attend appointments,
lunch,
nap,
play again or attend appointments
Dinner
Bedtime ritual

Of course, this cannot be generalized, as there are life circumstances where such a normal routine is not feasible. But under normal conditions, such a daily schedule would be the optimal prerequisite for baby and mom to also include relaxation and recovery phases.

Cozy relaxation to recharge energy reserves

Not only for adults does feeling comfortable play a very important role in being able to truly relax. No – this is also very important for the newborn baby. Babies and newborns naturally need a lot of warmth and closeness. But that doesn’t mean that mom and/or dad have to do this around the clock and that the child must sleep with the parents in one bed from infancy until school age, etc.

The right little bed, a cozy blanket where the little treasure feels completely safe, and a cuddly cuddle cloth to snuggle with, so they can fall asleep nicely and dream of great adventures and new discoveries the next day... And mom too :-)