Live like you're on vacation!
Live like you're on
vacation or the first month after having a baby.
Limit the house work
that you do. You won't regret it.
Limit the laundry that
you do, pretend that you're going to a hotel and live out of a suitcase.
Simplify meals. Eat off of paper plates. Accept offers from
people to bring you meals. Make dinner in the
morning when you're less tired and put it in the crockpot. Get creative with some
takeout. Try that roasted chicken from the grocery store with some
pre-made mashed potatoes and salads from the deli. Take advantage of those
grocery store short cuts.
Keep food ready to go.
Keep a jug of smoothie or ready-made sandwich or pasta salad in the
refrigerator. This way you can make sure you're eating well as you help your new baby eat well. You are going to be hungry.
Try to minimize entertainment activities and visitation for the
first month. At one month old, your baby will still look very new and wonderful
for people to come over and admire your baby and take pictures; after
breast-feeding has been firmly established. For the visitors who absolutely must see your baby right away, try to limit those visits at least a
few days apart. Post pictures and updates on Facebook. Leave a message on your front door
that you and your baby are getting to know each other.
This is not the time for
home projects like redoing your kitchen or new landscaping. You and your
partner will want to take the time to learn to read your baby’s hunger and
tired cues. Your project has just arrived and you all need to get to know each
other, bond, and enjoy this time.
Delay worrying about
thank you cards. No one is holding their breath for thank you cards for all the wonderful gifts that you have been given, 6-8 weeks out is just
fine.
Getting enough sleep is
very important so nap when your baby is napping or have one of your close
friends or relatives take your baby out for an hour so you can take a nap if
you are unable to nap comfortably with your baby nearby.
Create a snack station
with water and snacks, nursing supplies and burp cloths in a comfortable place
where you can sit back, relax, snack, watch a movie, feed your baby, write in
your journal, post on Facebook, read a great book or listen to audio books
to keep both hands free for baby.
It's totally fine to
stay in your pajamas all day and rent movies and get your favorite take out and
just relax and focus on breast-feeding and establishing a good breast-feeding
connection with your baby. Think of it as a nesting time. A vacation from all
the other parts of your life.
It's OK to stop your
life for a month and focus on your new baby and breast-feeding. Your baby will be a year old before you know it.
If nursing becomes a
challenge, talk to your lactation consultant. It’s normal to ask for
help.
This is not the time to
worry about sleep training. Don’t worry about bad habits. In the
first 6 months, there are no bad sleep habits when you are meeting the needs of
your baby.
When nursing is a
priority for you, give it the focus that is needed. I wish you all the
best.
Certified Gentle Sleep
Coach
Gentle Sleep Coaching
- Teaching you how to get your kids to sleep.
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