Many mothers report waking up in a near panic when they realize their baby has been asleep for more than four hours. It’s perfectly natural to wonder if something is wrong, especially if your baby has been in the habit of waking up several times during the night before now. If it makes you feel better, sit beside the crib and watch baby sleep for a while. Then, take a deep breath and go back to bed. He’ll wake up soon enough.

If you find yourself worrying too much about baby when he starts sleeping through the night, it can actually be worse for your rest than when he was waking up regularly. Consider moving his crib so that you can watch him while he sleeps. That way, when you wake up, you won’t need to get out of bed to check on your baby.

Placing baby’s crib where you can see each other often helps baby soothe himself back to sleep, too. Babies and adults both go through light and deep sleep cycles, and actually wake up briefly many times during a typical sleep session. If baby is able to see you, he will be able to soothe himself to sleep more often, leading to a better night’s sleep for both of you.

Take advantage of the extra sleep while you’re able to get it. Even if you find yourself unable to actually go back to sleep, lie down and keep resting. In most cases, when baby starts sleeping through the night, you only have a short time until he starts teething. And once that starts, he will most likely be waking up in the middle of the night again, at least temporarily.

Most of all, don’t worry about baby sleeping for longer stretches of time. By the time he is four or five months old, his stomach and digestive system have developed enough that he is able to eat larger amounts at a setting (you’ve probably already noticed this), which means that he doesn’t get hungry as often. Since hunger and the need to feed is what wakes babies more than anything else, he is now old enough to sleep for longer periods of time because he doesn’t feel hungry as quickly.

One of the best ways to give yourself some exercise while also providing a great experience for your baby is taking your baby for a walk. The exercise is great for you, and the fresh air is good for both of you.

One of the first things you should do, preferably before you actually have the baby, is choose a good stroller that is comfortable for you. There are many different kinds of strollers, and They’re not exactly one size fits all. Things you should consider when choosing a stroller include where you will be using it (on a sidewalk? In the mall?) and how well it fits your height.

Small umbrella style strollers are great because they store away easily and don’t take up much space. But unless you’re on the shorter side, you don’t want to bend over and push them for any significant amount of time.

Your best bet is to find a stroller with adjustable handles so that you can set them at a comfortable angle. Ideally, you should be able to stand up straight while you are pushing baby’s stroller, rather than having to stoop down or hunch your shoulders.

If you are planning on using your stroller on the sidewalk, it’s best to use a walking or jogging stroller. These strollers are typically larger and have three wheels which resemble bicycle tires. The larger tires allows you to push the stroller over uneven surfaces better without jostling yourself or the baby.

Of course, even with a jogging stroller, you should try to keep to relatively level surfaces. Too much bouncing around isn’t good for you or the baby, especially when you are first starting out and baby is only two or three months old. Try to find a smooth sidewalk. If the sidewalks in your neighborhood aren’t well kept, consider driving to a park and walking there.

One of the nicest things about taking baby for a walk is that it is an activity which can be enjoyed by the whole family. Mom and dad can take turns pushing the stroller. Older kids might even enjoy taking a turn at taking baby for a walk. If you have another toddler, you can always put him in a double stroller with your baby. Or, if you prefer, your older child can walk along with you.

Postpartum depression is more than just feeling a little blue on occasion after pregnancy. Most women will have some “baby blues” from time to time. Postpartum depression, however, involves persistent or severe feelings of helplessness, loss, guild, and anxiety. Your doctor can help you determine whether or not you’re experiencing postpartum depression, so it’s worth talking to her if you think you might.

There are some contributing factors that tend to be found among women who experience postpartum depression. Many women have a personal history or a family history of depression. If you’re having trouble with your relationship with your spouse, that can contribute, as well. A variety of health factors, especially thyroid problems, seem to be involved, too. You can, of course, develop postpartum depression even if you don’t have any of these risk factors, but they’re something to be aware of at the very least.

Postpartum depression is treatable. While treatment may be a little different than it is for women who aren’t breastfeeding, for example, the fact of the matter is that there are many options available to the woman with postpartum depression. Therapy, medications, and even lifestyle changes can help you get your postpartum depression under control, and take back charge of your life.

Setting aside postpartum depression (after all, many women do take the time to learn at least a little bit about it and how to watch for it), there are common events and feelings you’re likely to have that you may not think about. Here are some of the postpartum conditions that may surprise you if you’re not planning for them:

• Bleeding. No matter whether you have a cesarean or whether you have a vaginal birth, you’re going to have a significant amount of postpartum bleeding. For the first few days, it’s going to be heavier than a period. From there, it’s going to last another six weeks or so. This bleeding is part of the process of healing up your body after childbirth.
• Weight loss. You’re only going to lose around half to a third of your pregnancy weight gain when your baby is born. It’s going to take a while to lose the rest. Don’t be in too much of a rush, or you’ll be very frustrated.
• Weeping. Even if you’re not experiencing postpartum depression, you are probably going to have some ups and downs. Your hormones are going to be all over the place. You might find yourself feeling very happy, yet still crying. You might get upset about truly unimportant things, as well. Expect at least a little weepiness for the first few weeks.
• Joy. Along with that sadness, you’re going to have moments of pure elation. Enjoy them, but realize that they, too, are fleeting.
• Sweating. You’re also going to sweat because of those hormone changes. Night sweats are most common. Be prepared to wake up with a soaked pillow and night shirt.

Still, there are some relatively basic things you can do after baby to lose weight. In fact, there are three steps you can follow that, while they don’t guarantee weight loss, can put you on the fast track to getting your body back in shape after baby. Here they are:

• Walk. You don’t have to do an aerobics class or run marathons. Simply walk. Walk at least 30 minutes a day. This will keep your metabolism going, and burn away some excess calories.
• Limit TV. Research shows that people who watch two hours or more of TV a day tend to be bigger than people that don’t. Limit the amount of TV you view in a day, and you’ll be surprised how much more active you are.
• Avoid saturated fats and trans fats. You can’t (and shouldn’t) avoid fats altogether, however you should limit your intake of saturated fats. You can also eliminate trans fats from your diet altogether.

These steps don’t guarantee weight loss after baby. You can’t do these things but still take in 3,000 calories a day and expect to lose the baby weight. Over the long haul, if you’re going to lose all of that weight after baby, you’re going to need to make some other changes, both in terms of diet and exercise. However, if you start with these basic principles and refuse to compromise on them in any way, you’ll start out on the fast track to postpartum weight loss, and you’ll have your body in shape before you know it.

Here are some of the ways that dads can do their part during the postpartum phase, and really step in and give some relief to moms:

• If you feel left out, say so. Because all of that focus is on the moms, dads can feel left out. Talk with your partner about your feelings, and start a dialogue.
• Be supportive and understanding. Let’s be honest. The postpartum period is one of emotional ups and downs. Most of them won’t make sense to you. That’s all right. You can be supportive without understanding it.
• Watch out for postpartum depression. You’re the first line of defense when it comes to recognizing a problem with postpartum depression. Learn what signs to watch for, and then be ready to talk to your spouse if you believe she’s suffering from postpartum depression.
• Do everything but breastfeed. You can get up with baby, you can change diapers, you can take baby to doctor appointments and more.
• Help out with breastfeeding. Obviously, your help here is more along the way of moral support. Tell her you’re proud that she’s doing so well with it, and help defend her against potential negative comments from outsiders.
• Learn to do the dishes. Pick up on several of the household tasks that you may not normally do. Help out with older children, too. Keep Mom focused on herself and the baby.
• Be ready for change. Introducing a new member to the family changes things. Not all of those changes will be positive, but they will be worth it. Don’t long for the days gone by, but instead revel in your recent family addition.

There are several things you can do to prepare for and, ideally, avoid postpartum depression. Here are some places to start:

• Take good care of yourself. It’s easy to get so caught up in caring for your baby that you forget to take the time you need in order to care for yourself. When someone else offers help with the baby, take it. Even small breaks from the pressures of parenting can help you to keep some semblance of sanity.
• Stay away from major life changes. You’ve already got one major life change going on. This isn’t the best time to move, even if you’re just moving across town. It’s not a great time to change jobs, or even get married. Give your life some time to adjust to baby before you introduce other disturbing elements.
• Develop a strong support system. Rely on family and friends. Keep a jot list of things that you could use help with. That way, when someone calls to offer a hand, you can give them something specific to help with. That will help keep you more organized for yourself, as well.
• Talk to your doctor. If you have a history of depression, or if you think you might be experiencing postpartum depression, get some help from a professional right away. Postpartum depression is very treatable, and it doesn’t have to be something that takes away significantly from your life.

No woman wants to suffer from postpartum depression. However, if you do find yourself in that situation, remember that it won’t last forever. Get some treatment and professional advice, and you will be through it before you know it.

It’s estimated that around one in five women will experience postpartum depression or a related condition. Understanding a little bit about these postpartum conditions can help you to watch out for them, and be ready to seek treatment if they do appear.

Here are some of the most common postpartum conditions and a little bit about how to recognize them:

• Postpartum depression. When you have postpartum depression, you experience symptoms such as anger, sadness, irritability, changes in sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness and more. If you experience more than one or two episodes of these kinds of feelings, or if they are long-lasting, you should talk to a doctor.
• Postpartum anxiety. This is a related condition to postpartum depression. Postpartum anxiety is characterized by extreme worry or fear. Often, this is accompanied by a panic attack, which can include chest pains, shortness of breath, dizziness, and more. In many cases, the worry or fear takes the form of concerns about your baby’s well-being.
• Postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is a condition in which you may have repetitive thoughts or images in your mind, known as obsessions. You may have to repeat certain tasks multiple times, which is known as compulsion, in order to alleviate the anxiety that those obsessions cause. While not especially common, some women may experience symptoms of OCD after pregnancy.
• Postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis is characterized by hallucinations, which may be visual or auditory. It may also be accompanied by paranoia, confusion, and memory loss. Postpartum psychosis can be extremely dangerous, and requires immediate medical intervention.

If you believe you’re experiencing any of these conditions, talk to your doctor right away.

Gaining weight during your childbearing years is commonplace, although it doesn’t have to be the case. There are some relatively simple things that you can do after your baby is born to lost not only the baby weight, but the rest of the extra weight that’s been creeping up on you for the past several months. And, believe it or not, you don’t have to spend six hours a day in the gym beating yourself up to do it.

Here are three quick tips for postpartum weight loss:

• Develop a walking habit. You don’t have to jog, do Pilates, or even start a heavy aerobics class to lose weight. Simply walking every day for about half an hour can keep you from gaining weight, and will over time help you get rid of unwanted pounds, as well. During the colder months, move indoors to your favorite local gym, or join a walking club at your friendly neighborhood mall.
• Turn off the TV. Studies show that women who view more than two hours of TV every day will gain weight. Turn off the TV, and you’ll find you’re burning calories and being productive at the same time. In fact, reducing your TV intake is almost always a surefire way to start losing weight, whether or not you’re postpartum.
• Reduce your intake of saturated fats. Avoid trans fats altogether, which isn’t too hard these days thanks to decent product labeling. Choose lean meats, and consider trading beef or pork for fish at least once a week.

These three basic tips will give you a leg up when it comes to losing pregnancy weight. In fact, your postpartum weight loss should be about 75 percent more successful than women who don’t follow these three basic tips.

Here are some of the things you want to have waiting for you at home when you get there after delivering your baby:

• Hemorrhoid medication. For many women, the postpartum period is one in which hemorrhoids are the worst you’ll ever get them. You’ll want to have plenty of Witch Hazel pads on hand, as well as any other hemorrhoid medications you think will be useful. Make sure to check with your doctor, of course, as there may be some types of hemorrhoid medications that aren’t recommended for use when you’re nursing.
• Sitz bath. A Sitz bath will help bring comfort and soothing to your bottom and the overall birthing area. Make sure you not only have the sitz bath itself, but that you have a good herbal remedy to go in the sitz bath, as well.
• Heavy pads. You’re going to have quite a bit of discharge after your baby is born, so make sure you’ve got plenty of pads to take care of that. The hospital will send you home with some industrial-strength pads, but you should also have a few on hand in case those aren’t enough.
• Breast compress. Most women experience some degree or another of discomfort when they first start to breastfeed. Even if you’re not breastfeeding, you may feel pain in your breasts after your baby is born. A herbal breast compress can give you immediate relief when you’re having that kind of pain and discomfort.

Having just a few items on hand after your baby is born can mean the difference between severe postpartum discomfort and a much more relaxed and easier first few weeks of your baby’s life.