- Freeze snacks and meals before baby is born – It’s really easy to get into one of two cycles after delivering your baby. Either 1. Not eating at all or 2. Eating junk/take out that’s easy to grab and takes little effort. While you’re still pregnant make as many things as you can to freeze. Pinterest is a great resource for freezer meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This will make your life so much easier in the long run. I’ve also found that getting my groceries delivered and then washing and cutting all the produce as soon as it’s delivered gives it a much higher chance of being eaten.
- Establish a bed time ritual right away – Babies often don’t know the difference between day and night. Establishing some sort of bed time routine that works for your family right away will help let baby know it’s time for bed. Each family is different in what works for them but here is a look at the bedtime routine I established for my children right away. 1. Give a bath each night in a dimmed room (I didn’t use soap each night but the water was always soothing for my kids). 2. Get baby dressed in pajamas. 3. Turn on sound machine and turn off all the lights 4. Nurse while rocking and singing.
- Nap when the baby naps – Yes, I know, but read on before you eye roll too hard. Try to make a list of things that need to get done for the day or for the week. Take the first 10-15 minutes to finish one thing, then try to get in a nap, even if for only 10 minutes. If the baby will only nap on you, get a nice carrier that you like and wear the baby while he/she sleeps, finish your task, and then go lay down.
- Go by wake windows, not the clock – when babies are very little, wake windows are going to rule the roost over the actual time on the clock. Their naps are different lengths so going by the clock really doesn’t work. I’ve always followed this chart with all four of my kids. It has always helped me make sure my child doesn’t get into the terrible, overtired state.
- Partners should TAKE TURNS – Whether dad has paternity leave or not. Being a mother is a job you never clock out of. It’s a 24 hours a day job. So even if dad is leaving the house for work, he still needs a turn. Yes, even in the middle of the night. If baby has nursed and still wants to be awake, dad should be taking a turn too! It will help mom in so many ways.
- Get outside. It took me a couple kids to figure this out but getting outside helped so much with my hormone levels and general attitude. Get outside and get some fresh air to help with Vitamin D and other hormone levels. It’s been proven to boost your mood. Natural Vitamin D is also good for baby.
- Accept help when offered. This is so hard to do as a new parent. You want to control every little thing. However, when someone offers you help, take it. It will fill your bucket, it will fill the other person’s bucket.
- Set boundaries early on. If you have a boundary you want set, don’t be afraid to set it. It will save a lot of resentment in the long run.
- Babies like to play too. When baby is awake, let them play. Put them on a play mat that has toys hanging above, put them on their tummies, talk and coo at them. Babies don’t sleep 24/7. Let them play and tire themselves out so they can take a great nap afterwards.
- Talk it out. This is a huge piece of advice. Talk it out with your significant other. If you’re feeling down or resentful about something, talk about it. Don’t let feelings build up and eventually explode. Talk to your partner. Another piece to this is, women tend to expect something to get done without verbalizing it. Men aren’t mind readers. If you want something done, you have to say it. No, we shouldn’t always have to but I’ve found the more that is verbalized, the better everyones expectations are.
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