I have recently become a new mom. I have found there are some things we need and some we do not. As much as we love our friends and family, all they do for us, I found that there were something's I did not need and some I did. For me the first few weeks I was tired but was managing. Then I figured things out and it was great. Then I had to move little bit to his own room and crib. That's when the exhaustion set in. Here's some things is have learned over the last two months!
-The first week (two) of the babies life I needed grab and go food. Heathly grab and go, instead of the cookies and brownies that I ate to get something in me while holding a sleeping baby.
-I only needed food brought to me the 2nd and 3rd weeks and really could have managed without. Though some of my friends are really good cooks and we appreciated all of the food!
-when bringing food, bring in portions. Especially casseroles that way the new parents can eat the meal once and not over and over or feel bad that They had to throw some away. The best delivery was one that had enough for two for multiple nights in separate pans. So we could eat one and freeze the rest!
-gift cards ROCK! We used those when we wanted to get out of the house which was often. Little bit was small enough that he just slept in the wrap while we are and it helped me to not go stir crAzy!
- a waking buddy! I started walking immediately so anyone who came over and wanted to go with was a goddess, that way I could walk further without worrying about if something happened to me.
- no over night guests (unless you have room) we do not. So as much as it was sweet for people offer, we just didn't have room for over night guests
- don't over stay your welcome. I had multiple visitors who would come at the last minute or not call before they came at times when I was about to work out, nap, shower, go to bed, whatever. Then would stay so long I never got to what I was doing. As much as I loved seeing them. Sometimes I wish they would have called or cut the visit shorter. I almost fell asleep on some of them :-(
- do not do the meal train for a long period of time and not every day (or weekends) once we got into a groove as sweet as it was, it became a burden. We loved how thoughtful everyone was but after a while or sometimes on the weekend it just interrupted family time. Make sure you work with the person setting it up to make a schedule that works best for your family!
-I loved offers to watch the little for an hour here or there. That way I was able to run out get a haircut, eyebrow wax, go to the store alone etc.
- take the full 3 months of FMLA if you can afford it. It helps you get the baby into a routine before you go back to work! Plus morning cuddles are the best!!
- excersicse! Walk as soon as you feel up to it! I started walking the 2nd week and started walk/running once my walk was easy. About 5 weeks I started back on my normal work out routine. When I went in for my 6 week check I was ahead of the average on everything. My dr was impressed!
- start tummy time early even if it's on your chest! And please for the love of Pete do not let your child stay in a car seat all of the time. Invest in a wrap! Otherwise your child will have a flat head!
- talk and play with your child when they are awake! Mine did everything with me from playing on his play mat while I was working out to hanging out in the wrap or his bouncy seat for cooking. And I constantly talked to him, listened to French and Spanish CDs/channels and more. He started cooing early. Hoping it helps with talking too!
- find a babysitter early and try them out for a few hours at a time before day care begins.
-love your baby and tell them too! Nothing is more sweet than seeing a happy baby! I video mine daily! His sweet coos and now blowing rasberries makes my hearts smile!
- listen to your motherly instinct! It won't steer you wrong. Drown out everyone else's advice (unless you need it). And relax. Your baby can pick up on your anxiety. If you want a chill baby. Be chill.
- be careful of internet/book advice. There are 100 different ways you can do everything from when to take the baby to the dr to how to get them go sleep. See the above and listen to your instinct. You know your child best (at least you should)
Have fun! It's your child. You get to help mold who they become! So be the person you want them to be. Teach them, talk to them. Don't shelter them (even though it's easier to do). Let them meet people take them to restaurants, teach them to be social. Play with them, love them, spend time with them. It's up to you! You are the parent!
Good luck and enjoy!
