With your life and body in transition and
everyone busy with their lives, it can be easy to
feel isolated. No wonder so many new moms
end up online. One great use of the Internet
and social media is to use it to strengthen your
real world relationships.
Finding Credible Sources
On the one hand, there may be a great online
community of mothers out there that can offer support and personal experiences. But, it’s
important not to rely solely upon your online
community because negativity has a way of
seeping in and status updates and photos often
don’t necessarily portray the truth, and unrealistic comparisons can arise.
In a survey released by Redbook and Huffington Post, mothers revealed that the most
judgment in their lives comes from themselves.
It’s important to keep in mind that no one is
perfect... even if social media posts seem to say
something different.
Try mixing in some more relatable, sites while
you are searching around online such as,
Pinterest Fail, Momastery, and Scary Mommy.
It’s important to have realistic expectations
of yourself as a mother, which is why having
a solid, supportive community offline is so
helpful.
Yes, the Internet can provide useful information and right when you truly need it, but it’s
important to be sure that the sites are credible. For example, pregnant women hear a lot
about what to eat and what not to eat. Some
reasons behind the dietary rules are obvious,
like adverse effects from alcohol or too much
caffeine. Others may be a little more confusing,
such as why to avoid soft cheeses and certain
types of fish. Ask your doctor to recommend
some information sources and if you do come
across information that looks valuable, check
to see where they got their information. This
Food Safety Guide for Pregnant Women is a
great example. Not only is it simplifying dense
information, it also has its sources listed at the
bottom of the page.
You will also find a lot of information on different exercises and products. If you come
across something that has you worried or you
have more questions about, write it down.
Sometimes just getting the thought out of your
head and down onto paper can provide some
relief from worry. Then, the next time you see
your doctor, bring your list of questions. Talking to your doctor and having that open communication is key in making your transition
into motherhood as smooth as possible.
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