Ever tried to search your own symptoms online? Sometimes a combination of a sore throat, dry cough, and fatigue can be fixed with just a glass of warm water. The internet has a wealth of information on everything. It can be exciting when you come across a DIY video that teaches you how to create a self-sustaining terrarium, but equally frustrating when you’re told by a Twitter expert on how you’re a bad mom because you left a damp towel in the cot for a few seconds. We do appreciate the irony—this itself isn’t an article by a pediatrician, although one that may help you decide how, and more importantly, when, to navigate this world using the resources stored up in the clouds.
There really is no right way. Agreed, there are some counter-intuitive landmines we must avoid, but nothing that you haven’t heard before from the doctors. If there was, we assure you we’d all know it by now. The key is—trust yourself. Ask yourself. What do you think you should do? See the common thread? Yup. It’s the word that’s also a letter—you. We honestly can’t tell you what to do. However, we will try to help filter out some of the white noise out there through this wonderful, unique, joy-filled, and complex journey of motherhood.
Our process consists of 4 short steps. We believe that it works well for most because it’s flexible and leaves some room to find new ways when you find yourself at a crossroads. We call it the Stepping Stones to Self and Baby Care.
The Goal—Taking Care Of Yourself First
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The airlines stress upon it. Don’t fret! No one’s crashing, but this is important to face. You’re in charge of two lives now, both interdependent on each other for love and development. Your baby needs you to be healthy and sane. To manage this goal, we look at the other side of the coin—how you can take care of yourself in a sustainable way.
A Few Hours Away From Your Phone
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Keep your phone away for about 2 hours a day if you can. It might do you good to think about your baby rather than search the web to get clarity on your thoughts. Sometimes the need for validation is so strong that we end up spending hours looking for someone who’s in the exact situation as us. When we compare this sense of scavenging with the calm that a digital detox brings, it makes it easier to keep our phone away. Try it out and see how you feel. It might make you uneasy initially, but you can look forward to feeling a sense of control over your situation.
Make Changes To Your Baby Team
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If your current doctor isn’t working well for you, trust your instinct and look for someone that matches your needs. You’ll notice that as your baby grows, your perspective changes. At times, a change in your ‘dream team’ might just help bring that perspective to life. This applies not just to your pediatrician but also to your gym, your dentist, or your general practitioner.
Friends And Family
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Besides the professionals, also look at your home team. It’s essential to have a close group of friends or relatives that genuinely care about your well-being and want to talk about what you’re going through. Your situation is truly unique. It’s great to join some groups online to create a support network, but it’s imperative to create that inner circle that you can call even after midnight. The questions, fears, and worries are natural. These tend to push us away from others, so it’s reassuring when someone understands what we’re going through without having to say so.
We hope our article helps you even in the smallest of ways. The internet is a wonderful place but in the end, always remember to trust your parental instinct.
