11/7/2014 How to Survive the First 6 Weeks with New Baby

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By Diana Harrison +

How to Survive the First 6 Weeks with New Baby

You’ve had your baby, and soon after you’re sent home from the hospital without an instruction manual! Nowwhat? Here’s how to survive the first 6 weeks with new baby.

Don’t pack away your Maternity Clothes

For as much as you can’t wait to throw out (or donate) your awful maternity clothes, you may still need themafter birth. Look at it this way: It took about 40 weeks to grow a baby, so don’t expect to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothing overnight. It will take time but you will get there! If you happen to fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes immediately after birth, we can’t be friends!

Collect Takeout Menus

Even if your name is Julia Child, you will be in no mood, let alone have the time, to cook. Start collectingtakeout menus from local restaurants that deliver, or make and freeze meals in advance.

Set up Automatic Bill Pay

No matter how organized you may be, unless dear husband/partner takes care of the financials, setting upautomatic bill pay will yield one less thing to worry about. This way you can focus on baby and avoid latefees.

DVR everything!

Before you had your baby, you never watched television, right? Prepare to watch the most television of yourlife. DVR comes in handy. So does Netflix. Don’t be surprised when you start watching the Disney channeland actually like it. You may even find yourself singing the jingles in the shower (when you finally get to takeone).

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Set one “big” goal every day

This will help you feel productive when you’re home all day in your pyjamas with your hair up and nomakeup on. Even if it’s just making a pot of coffee, you’d be surprised how hard it is to do this otherwisesimple task. Things that were once done without thinking, have now become challenging with a newborn inyour arms. Tell yourself, “No matter what, today I am going to…” take a shower, put the dishes away, go fora walk in the park. Do one “big” thing every day, no matter what.

You might also like 41 Reasons You Know You’re Mom to a new Baby

Learn how to use a breast pump before baby arrives.

You may have your mind set on exclusively breastfeeding,but plans don’t always go as you want them to. Learn howto use a breast pump (many are fully covered by insuranceso be sure to check in advance) before your little onearrives.

It’s a good idea to also have formula on hand. Your breastmilk supply may not come in right away and you may findyourself supplementing. Your OB should send you homewith some at one of your checkups, but you may also wantto sign up on some of the major formula websites. They willsend you coupons and free samples of formula (score!).

You may also consider having a couple bottles handy. Just a couple. Sometimes it takes time to find the rightone for your baby. Sterilize in advance.

Set up a Meal train with Family & Friends

Ask a friend or relative to set up a meal train for you. Maybe they already set one up without you asking. Thiswill eliminate the stressful question, “What’s for lunch?” or “What’s for dinner?” Not only is this a great wayto evade cooking, but also an opportunity for friends and family to meet baby!

Order Online

The first few weeks will be hard getting to the store. Ordering online until you are ready to drive or walk tothe store will save you a headache or two. These days you can buy just about anything online. Evengroceries. Take advantage.

Have Changing table Stocked

You won’t know how big your baby is until he or she is actually born. Be sure to have your changing tablestocked and ready to go with newborn and size 1 diapers. You just never know. The same applies to clothingas lots of times, many newborns never wear newborn-sized clothing, so have some 0-3 month sizes in theirwardrobe.

Keep a Poop Diary

Yes, your days will be spent counting how many times a day your little one “goes”! Make your life simple anddownload an app to track your baby’s eating and pooping schedule.

Never mind that you have the memory of an elephant, you will be pooped (pun intended) beyond

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recognition. You may say to yourself, “I’ll remember.” Trustme; you won’t. You won’t remember what day of the week itis, and you might even forget your own name. Do yourself afavor and write it down at the very least.

Your pediatrician/health nurse will ask how many wet anddirty diapers your baby makes a day. You should also knowwhat’s considered “normal” for poop color and consistency,so do your homework.

You might also like 7 Useful Smartphone apps forPregnancy and New Mums

Something to Hold You In

Whether you prefer an ab binder, a corset, or even a formfitting tank top, you’ll need something to hold youin. Your belly will feel like there’s a hole in it. It will dangle and jiggle and you’ll feel anything but glamorous. Itisn’t pretty, but then again there’s nothing pretty about childbirth (except your little bundle of joy, of course).Plan to have a postpartum band or a fitted article of clothing to hold your belly in/up.

Ask for Help. Take Help when Offered.

Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. It doesn’t make you a bad mom if you get help from a friend or familymember. If someone offers to bring you food, pick up your mail, vacuum or sweep or do your laundry, letthem! If you don’t want anyone doing your laundry because you don’t want them seeing your dirty drawers,get over it! Take the help. You will be glad you did.

Stock up on Coins, Toilet paper, & Sanitary products

These are a must. You will need tons of quarters for laundry (when someone gets to it). You will needoodles of toilet paper. You will need plenty of sanitary napkins.

Don’t Feel Guilty

Rid yourself of any guilt now.

The dishes are dirty. The laundry is piled to the ceiling. Youhaven’t cooked one meal in the last 3 weeks. So what?YOU JUST HAD A BABY!

That is physically and emotionally strenuous on the body.From the moment you gave birth, you are immediatelytending to your little precious miracle, trying to keep him orher alive, whilst simultaneously trying to make sense ofwhat the hell just happened. Not to mention, you need toheal both physically and mentally. At the same time you arerecuperating, you are caring for another life. This is how we know women are designed for this. While it willtake time to heal, your body is resilient.

Take time. Take all the time you need. Let yourself off the hook.

Listen to your body and go at your own pace

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Some new moms are ready to get out that same week. Others, several weeks after, and other moms won’tfeel ready until several months later. Some moms are cooking the next day and some don’t ever cook again.

Don’t compare yourself because everyone moves to the beat of their own drum. Listen to your body and goat your own pace. Don’t feel bad for moving at a different pace than other moms and never apologize for thechoices you make.

Don’t be Afraid to say No

No.

Nod your Head & Smile

Everyone will have an opinion and will be eager to give you their 2 cents on how you should raise your baby.Be prepared to get all sorts of advice and be told what is right and wrong. Remember that this is yourbaby. Do what works and feels right for you and your baby, not what works for anyone else.

If someone who doesn’t have any kids gives you advice, tell them where to go. Don’t stress yourself outwhen your mother in law says you shouldn’t co-sleep, or have your baby sleep in your room at your bedside.It’s nobody’s business but your own.

People will make comments on the way you raise your baby until the end of time, just like people maderemarks throughout your pregnancy. (My favorite one is still, “Are you sure there’s only one in there?”). Letthem say what they will.

What should you do if you get some unsolicited advice? Nod your head and smile. Silently cursing them outin your head is also optional!

Love your baby

…and everything will be alright.

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Any more tips to add? Let us know in the comments below.

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