A baby coach has shares everything parents of a newborn need to know at the six week mark.
Studies show that at this milestone, a baby experiences a growth spurt, crying and sleep regression, which can sometimes push new parents into a slump. But an expert has shared their top seven tips on how to get through this period.
Nicole Ratcliffe, founder of Baby2Sleep, says that finding a baby group to meet other parents who may be experiencing the same thing is a good idea. She said:
"Baby groups aren't really about the baby. "The baby tends to sleep a lot through the classes and the groups are more about you – the mum or the dad."
Loneliness amongst new mothers can often lead to depression, according to a 2023 study by University College London, and it can be caused by self-isolation and emotional disconnection.
Nicole said some of her top tips include being honest about your problems and talking to other people. She said:
"If you're open and honest about how you feel, you might find this opens up a whole new type of conversation and a safe area to express yourself. "It might give other parents with the same sorts of feelings that freedom to be honest too, and you might just save somebody's sanity or their relationship or make them feel less alone."
She also urges new parents to enjoy the moment their baby starts smiling for the first time, but to be careful to monitor their own moods too.
If you're starting to feel indifferent towards your baby, speak to a GP as it might be an underlying condition like postnatal depression. Postnatal depression is thought to affect around one in 10 women, so you definitely won't be alone. Nicole also advises watching out for your baby's growth spurts, and excessive crying (colic) and reflux. She said:
"By the six-week mark, you might think your baby is settling into a bit of a routine and they're going longer between feeds, said Ratcliffe. "But, they need to feed even more suddenly because they're going through a HUGE growth spurt."
Colic, a common problem that can affect up to one in five babies, is characterized as excessive crying for more than three hours a day and usually peaks around six to eight weeks.
"If your baby sounds like they're in pain and it's combined with spitting up and being sick then seek medical advice or speaking to a lactation consultant or your GP could be really helpful to ensure you're treating that right."
It can be helpful to give your baby some skin on skin contact.
Finally, make sure you put your baby down for even a few minutes, which can help strengthen their neck muscles. Nicole said:
"You lay your baby on his stomach. Being in this position, helps babies gain motor milestones quicker, which is extremely important to their language development, their social development, their physical activity."
Adapted From: The Sun
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