Balancing career and motherhood: Why support is crucial for new moms
Siddhartha Jana
Many modern working mothers struggle to balance their careers and motherhood, especially without external support, highlighting the need for help from family, friends, or professionals.
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Adequate rest is crucial for new mothers, with full maternity leave recommended, as the body needs time to heal, especially during the first 40 days post-childbirth for both caesarean and normal deliveries.
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As maternity leave ends, a helpful strategy for managing sleep and stress is for mothers to rest when their baby sleeps, since a baby’s sleep schedule typically stabilizes by around three months.
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External help is especially important for mothers recovering from a caesarean delivery, as they should avoid bending or stretching to prevent complications with stitches.
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If professional help is unaffordable, family members or partners should assist with tasks like holding the baby, managing household chores, and helping with baby care to prevent overstraining the mother.
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Dr. Nagpal emphasizes that new mothers should acknowledge that they cannot manage everything alone, as childbirth brings significant physical changes that require time for recovery.
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Trying to handle everything without assistance can lead to physical strain, sleep deprivation, and emotional stress, negatively affecting both the mother’s health and the baby’s well-being, making support crucial.