Issue link: https://www.hub.camaf.co.za/i/595176
happen at the same time as the birth of the baby. that may sound strange, but many first-time mothers do not feel like mothers immediately. All they know is that they feel very different - almost like a new person - and that is true. this is the new you, and it may take time to adjust to your new life. EXPLoding thE MythS According to Hilary Rosenthal of the Postnatal Depression Support Association there are 5 myths of new motherhood that are commonly held: 1. BONDING IS AUTOMATIC Most mothers, before birth, believe that they will experience a surge of maternal feeling the moment they see their babies. this is the exception rather than the rule. Most women get to know their babies and fall in love with them gradually as they care for them and as they get to know each other. Many mothers feel awkward in the first weeks caring for their babies. Some mothers enjoy the new baby stage and other mothers enjoy the later stages more. Each of us has a different personality and preference. 2. YOU WILL FEEL HAPPY ALL THE TIME the birth of the baby is very stressful for the mother and there are many times when she feels exhausted, confused, overwhelmed and frustrated with the baby when he/she will not feed or sleep - especially in the middle of the night! 3. BREAST FEEDING WILL BE NATURAL AND EASY once the baby is born there are some mothers who feel that they do not want to breast feed. Some babies are very easy to breast feed, but very often in the beginning there are various hiccups until a routine gets established, e.g. sore breasts, a lazy feeder, etc. These are temporary problems that can be solved with appropriate guidance from a breast feeding counsellor. what is surprising is how emotional one feels about everything to do with the baby, including feeding, especially when there are important decisions to be taken, e.g. whether or not to continue breast feeding. there are times at this stage when one's peace of mind seems to revolve around how many grams one's baby has gained or whether one has managed successfully to burp the baby. CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION? 5