Having children should be one of the most incredible experiences of your life. At least, that’s what everyone says, right? The truth is even the strongest and healthiest moms, and dads can struggle to adapt to their new responsibilities, and as time goes by it can even start having an impact on their health.
With this in mind, I thought I would go through some of the common health risks faced by parents with young children, and explain how you can start seeing the signs. If any of these issues sound familiar, I urge you to see your doctor sooner rather than later! Don’t forget, although your focus is entirely on your little ones, it’s vital to keep healthy yourself – it is the biggest gift you can give your child.
Stress
When you are responsible for a baby’s life, it should be no surprise that stress is a common health problem for parents. In simple terms, you can tear yourself apart with worry. Are you doing this right or wrong? Why isn’t your child acting like the ones you see everywhere else? Why does every new baby book I read tell me to do things differently to the advice I read in the book before? The trouble is, stress is a significant health issue. It can make you anxious, raise your blood pressure, and even cause stroke or heart problems. If parenting is getting the better of you, please go see your doctor and work out a way of dealing with your stress – it might even save your life.
Alcohol
According to research, a lot of parents with young children start to drink more heavily than they did before having kids. Again, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise – that glass of wine at the end of the day seems like an apt reward for all the stresses and strains you have been through. But what happens when that daily habit turns into a bottle, rather than a single small glass? Not only will you be facing alcoholism, but you’ll also be putting your child’s health at risk. A bottle of wine at night might not clear from your bloodstream by the morning, and an early morning car run could end up with you needing a DWI lawyer. It’s vital to keep tabs on your alcohol consumption, or, before you know it, you could be facing more problems than you can possibly imagine.
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is one of those things many parents with young children cannot avoid. We’ve all been there – the bloodshot eyes, the memory problems, and the sheer exhaustion. The trouble is, sleep deprivation is incredibly bad for your health. All those lost hours build up a sleep debt, which is extremely difficult to pay back. If your child is struggling to settle, it’s vital to get some help from a medical professional or an infant sleep expert. Try napping when you can, too, even if it means leaving all the chores that need completing. If you don’t address your sleep deprivation, it can have grave consequences for your decision making, and can also lead to tragedy.
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