There’s nothing like bringing a new baby into the world – or into your home. It’s a joyful, tiring, exciting, challenging, life-changing experience. You will be having “all the feels” for many weeks (and months…and years…) but it will be worth every hour of missed sleep, and just one whiff of that magical new baby smell will make even the longest wait seem like a mere moment.
That said, preparation is your best measure to ensure a comfortable and easy transition from being a “grown-ups only” home into one with children.
Here are five sure-fire ways towards making new baby days ones you’ll remember forever (for good reasons!)
1. You Need to Take Care of Yourself
After your baby arrives, life is going to revolve around meeting needs – primarily feeding, sleeping, and keeping clean. Notice I didn’t say “babies needs,” and that’s because although those are primary to a new mom, you cannot forget about yourself! In your pre-baby life, you likely had time to make dinner at night, or at the very least cobble together some leftovers. Spoiler alert: This will NOT be the case once baby arrives, at least not every night.
Take some time in your last few weeks of pregnancy to get a plan together that keeps everyone fed. (And sooner rather than later; babies love to arrive when refrigerators and pantries are bone-dry.) Look into grocery delivery services and “click and pick” services in your area. You can order groceries and ready-to-heat meals from your phone or laptop (even in the middle of the night!) There are also home meal delivery kits where all you do is assembly and cook. Or, if the nesting urge is strong in you (or your partner or family want to dig in) prepare a few weeks’ worth of meals and freeze them. Making sure you’re fed is now one less thing to worry about - and you are going to need the nutrition - because you literally just MADE a person.
IMAGES COURTESY KELSI HAMILTON
2. Be Ready to Bail Out
After a week or two at home (and earlier for some families) you are going to be sitting at home, and realize it’s been days since you’ve left the same three rooms. It’s time to bail. Whether that means simply to the backyard or (for the braver amongst us) an impromptu weekend away with baby in tow, having a “bail out bag” at the ready is of the utmost importance in facilitating your getaway. Keep your diaper bag well stocked with the things needed, so you can simply grab and go. Make sure you have diapers, wipes, any creams or lotions, extra clothes, and extra extra clothes. Add anything you need for at least a day and a half of feeding needs, and don’t forget snacks and water for yourself, and your phone charger! Seasonal items like hats are a good idea too. If you keep a well-stocked kit, any invitation can be a “yes” because you are able to literally grab-n-go.
IMAGES COURTESY KELSI HAMILTON
3. You Will Still Have Stuff to Do
It’s almost laughable how cliché the phrase “sleep when the baby sleeps” has become. It’s also… true. Hardly ever doable, but true. Simply put, some babies don’t seem to sleep very much and you will begin to live for those 20 minute cluster naps. Other times, during “fussy times” (which usually happen when you have things that need to be accomplished) you’ll be looking for an easy and quick way to soothe baby. The Graco EveryWay Soother swing is going to be your new best friend once you have a baby. It swings 8 ways and in 2 directions (because some babies don’t take to the traditional front-back-front momentum). It also features 16 soothing motions and a seat that detaches to be used as a removable rocker anywhere in the house. This is a huge plus: You can take baby with you to another area simply and easily.
Having a soothing way to keep baby happy – like the EveryWay Soother - so you can get some time to yourself (for work OR relaxing) is an important thing to have on lock in the early days. Put this item on your registry or baby gift wish list because it’s more than a “baby swing” – it’s practically a wish-granting soothing machine.
IMAGES COURTESY KELSI HAMILTON
4. Assemble Your Village (People)
There’s a reason raising a child takes a village – and that’s because it can be exhausting work. (Don’t worry; it can also be exhilarating.) Having a support system ready and in place is a great way to ensure you are able to get some rest for yourself. It can be hard sometimes for new moms to let go (I am totally talking from experience here) but I can tell you that you and baby will be better for it. Don’t work yourself to the point where it seems like everything is a chore. Your new baby is so small for such a short time; wring all the joy out of these days - and that means sometimes letting someone else help you.
If you have an offer of help, don’t just accept it for help with the baby. Ask the helper to do a load of laundry or prep a meal while YOU get to hold and rock the wee babe. There will be line-ups down your front step with offers to rock a sweet babe to sleep because that job is coveted. Make sure you don’t get stuck with the grunt work as a consequence from all your “help.”
And if you feel swamped or down or in any way – reach out. Put that fussing baby in a swing <link> or bouncey chair and turn off the world to read or watch a show or even do some dishes if that’s what it is needed today to make you feel better. Baby days are amazing, but they are challenging, too. No one should have to do this alone.
IMAGES COURTESY KELSI HAMILTON
5. Reset Your Expectations
One of the best things you can do for yourself (and your new family) is to alter any expectations for the first little while after you bring baby home. Sure, you could really accomplish the plans of reorganizing all your linens and painting the family room while baby peacefully and routinely sleeps for six-hour stretches. I mean anything could happen, technically. But it is less than likely, so to be a bit direct, make your peace with that now. Instead, concentrate of visualizing a time where dishes go undone, hair remains uncombed, and beds remain unmade. Let that sink in and get comfortable with it because your first priority right now is to enjoy this soft warm lump of love. I can unequivocally say that your sweet little babe will care NOT ONE bit that you didn’t get to work out or shower today. They just want you, and sometimes the price of that is an unmade bed and messy hair. It’s all okay. It’s all going to be okay. It will all get done someday, and it will all be worth it.
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