My first Christmas as a new mom
New mom and Review-Observer journalist Koketso Sekhwela says the anticipation of spending Christmas with a baby could go both ways for first-time mothers.
POLOKWANE – Often at this time of the year, one lets their hair down and participates in all of the fun activities that they prefer without putting too much thought into the next person’s needs.
However, going forward, an entire human being comes before a new mom’s desire to take a short-left or their most favourite thing to do on December 25th with a few friends or daddy.
I bore my son on April 22, 2022, which makes him just eight months and three days old on Christmas Day, but I did not intend on spending my Christmas in my breastfeeding shirt stuck with him at home.
I asked an experienced mother about fun activities to infuse your infant in, on the day.
If you plan on travelling long distances with your little one, mother of four, Anne Mametja says it is possible to have the greatest fun.
She says it is mostly exciting because infants have very funny reactions to things they have not either not seen or done before. “Have you seen how they react to trees when a car moves, they probably think it is the trees moving,” she says while laughing.
However, their safety and security come first. “Buckle them in their car-seat. It should face in the opposite direction to the motor-vehicle seat. Pack enough nappies. Pack water and avoid giving them sweets. Remember to keep enough food for them and stop at petrol stations to let them rest from the trip. It is an ideal place to also change their nappies,” she says.
On the day, Mametja advises that parents or guardians dress in play costumes that would prompt excitement and offer them exciting gifts. “Age-appropriate toys, colourful sweets and similar things make them happy and would in-turn make you happy to see a big smile on their face. Also leave them to unwrap their own gifts,” she added.
Spending the day with extended family members helps a baby to adjust to a greater number of people and to also familiarise with some of them.
She says they will also help you with some of the baby’s needs while you rest a bit.
Mametja advises new-mommies not to feel guilty to take a much-needed break from the children because it does not limit the love they have for them.
“When you are a mother, you cannot imagine your life without your children. I do not even miss my old life without the four so if you are struggling now, give it time and you’ll remember my words, soon,” she concludes.
