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Bringing a baby into the world is an incredible experience. Your baby is probably the best thing that has ever happened to you but also the most challenging. Do you remember all those months you eagerly looked forward to holding your little one in your arms? Many moms say that the love they feel for their babies is physically palpable. And although giving birth is an out of body experience it can also be a painful and uncomfortable one.
The postpartum period can be taxing and one of the hardest experiences of your life. Not only do you have a newborn baby to look after day and night, but you also have to cater to your still healing body. It’s okay if you’re finding it hard to adapt to your new body, the mood swings and hormonal shifts. Most moms don’t anticipate how hard breastfeeding can be or how badly they miss life before a newborn. These emotions are completely valid and don’t make you a bad mom, they just make you human. But despite all the new challenges, this is also a period of love, discovery, exploration and contentment. The fourth semester can also be the most wonderful period of your life, if you let it. Here are a few perks that you can enjoy only during your fourth semester.
1. You Get To Sleep And Rest As Much As You’d Like
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This is the best time to cut back from the real world and take a nice, long break. You just had a baby! No one is expecting you to check emails, return calls or respond to texts. This is your chance to take a break from all the noise and find time to relax. Now, we know that a newborn baby is a lot of work, which is even more reason to take advantage of this time to rest. Live in your comfy pj’s and bathrobe and don’t lift a finger around the house. This is your time to sleep, rest and recuperate. Take full advantage of it!
2. People Want To Help You So Please Ask For It
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This is the time when everyone around you wants to make your life easier. One common mistake many mothers make is trying to do everything by themselves. We get it, you are concerned about letting your newborn out of your sight and into the care of others. But delegating responsibility and asking for help is the best thing you can do for you and the baby in the long run. The people around you may want to help but they may not know how to. Take the time to tell your partner, friends and family how they can help out either directly or indirectly. Trust us, it will make them happy to drop off meals, get takeout for you, watch your other kids, or just text back and forth if you need to vent or talk. Take advantage of their efforts. Taking it slow and easy is exactly what you need right now.
3. It Can Be An Amazing Time To Bond With Your Partner
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There’s no lying that the fourth semester can be hard on your relationship. The long days and longer nights can leave you and your partner feeling worn out and frustrated. But what keeps you going is that the two of you are going through it together. This is when your teamwork and support for one and other really comes into play. You are both struggling and doing your best to make this new life with your baby work. There may be moments when you are both tired and hysterical but these are the moments where you show up for each other. The 4th semester can be the period where you and your partner solidify your relationship on a deeper level.
4. It Shows How Incredible You Are
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It takes a lot of strength and fortitude to give birth and take care of a baby. You will feel empowered and fulfilled in ways that you have never experienced before. Your body just accomplished this huge feat. You should pat yourself in the back and throw a party! Congratulations on being incredible and on joining the mom club!
5. You Get To Snuggle With Your Baby All Day Long
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What’s better than snuggling with your newborn baby? Nothing! You can spend your days drifting off to sleep with them in your arms or just coddling them. The smell of your newborn baby can be intoxicating to you and it might feel like you are the only two people on earth for a while . Enjoy this time with your baby. These magical moments will be gone all too soon so go ahead and bond with your baby as much as you can.
The fourth semester may not be all snuggles and rainbows but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable either. With a little support and rest, this can be the best period of your life. So relax and make the most of it. Happy parenting!
