After last week’s post on recovering from childbirth, I thought I’d take a slightly more positive angle and offer some practical tips and advice for getting through the first few weeks with a newborn baby.
Yes it’s exhausting and hard work, but I think there are a few things you can do to make things a little easier.
How To Survive The Newborn Days
Batch Cook Dinners
One of the tips I read about before I had Indi was to batch cook and freeze some dinners for the first week or so. And it definitely came in handy.
A couple of weeks before my due date I batch cooked some easy one-pot dishes that would freeze well, such as chilli con carne, vegetable chilli, chicken curry and a stew. I put them into single portions in zip lock bags, labelled them and popped them in the freezer.
And let me tell you, when you’re operating on minimal sleep and have a tiny baby to keep alive, being able to microwave a nutritious dinner is really bloody helpful.
Stock Up On Baby Essentials
Similarly, I prepped for newborn life by stocking up on some of the vital baby bits such as nappies and wipes. It means you don’t have to venture out of the house for emergency supplies in those crazy first few weeks. Plus if you stock up gradually, just popping a pack of wipes into your weekly shop whilst pregnant, it won’t feel like a massive expense.
Set Ground Rules For Visitors
I don’t think you know how you’re going to feel about visitors until you actually have your baby. I was adamant I was going to want at least a week before having anyone round, but by day 4 I was keen to show off my new baby daughter to my best pals.
But I think you should set ground rules early. My friends knew that I would want them to pop round for a cuppa, nothing longer, and that I would definitely be in my pyjamas on their arrival. That way there’s no pressure to “host” people y’know?
Self Care For New Mums Book
Josh bought me the Self Care For New Mums book for my birthday and I really liked reading it in the first few weeks of motherhood. It talks about healing from birth, adjusting to being a mother and getting back to being yourself. It’s very non-judgemental and has lots of tips that I really appreciated. Kinda feels like a chat with friends so is very easy-to-read too.
Also big up to the New Mum’s Notebook, which I have definitely not had time to write in but have very much appreciated the tips and advice in.
Accept The Help
When you have a baby, you will likely be offered help, usually from your parents. I know some people have their mums come to stay with them for the first couple of weeks for example.
Well as you know, we moved in with my parents last year to save for a house. So we’ve had lots of help. And honestly, I don’t know what I would do without it. My mum will take Indi early morning and let me go back to bed for another hour if we’ve had a bad night. My dad will take Indi in the evening whilst I cook dinner. Before having a baby I didn’t know I would want this help, but now I massively appreciate it.
I know not everyone is in the same position, some with family living far away. But my advice is that whatever help you’re offered, you should take it. Whether that’s your mum moving in for a month or your bestie offering to do the washing up when she’s round. The help won’t be offered forever and these newborn days are bloody hard work.
Take “Me Time” When You Can
Something I’ve struggled with during the first few weeks of having a baby is not having “me time” anymore. It’s kind of insane how much of your time and energy is taken up by this tiny little human and there’s just no time left for yourself. For example, I’m currently writing this post at 4am on my phone whilst soothing a wriggly baby to sleep…
But one thing I’ve really appreciated is the fact that I was told I had to have a bath everyday to keep my stitches clean. Doctor’s orders. So every single day since having Indi, Josh or my mum has watched her for half an hour whilst I have a bath and get ready. I’ll read a bit of my book or listen to a podcast, and it’s the only bit of quality time I have to myself all day. And seriously, it’s been so good for my sanity! Afterwards I feel less anxious and more able to care for my little munchkin.
So if possible I would highly recommend trying to carve out some me time in your routine, as early as possible.
Get Outside
I’m an inside person. An introvert. I like to stay under the covers and hibernate and watch Netflix. It’s just who I am. But my family and friends pushed me to get out of the house in the first couple of weeks and it really made me feel better. Although you won’t feel like it, the fresh air just clears the fog a bit and puts things into perspective. Plus I think it’s good for baby to get a bit of fresh air too.
Make Plans Day By Day
The thing about the newborn days is that one day you feel like you’ve totally got this. That this motherhood thing is a piece of cake and you can do it all. Then the next day it all goes wrong and the baby won’t settle and it’s 10pm and you didn’t find time to shower.
So my advice is to take each day at a time. Don’t plan things days in advance because you honestly don’t know how you’re going to feel, especially with all of the hormones going on.
Tackle The Admin
Turns out having a baby involves a shit load of admin. Who knew huh?
You have to register the baby’s birth, apply for child benefit, sign them up at your GP, send thank you cards, have midwife appointments, a health visitor appointment… It’s a lot.
During those first few weeks it all felt quite overwhelming so I would suggest making a to do list and just tackling one thing a day. It definitely makes things feel more manageable.
Get Into Podcasts
I expected to have lots of Netflix time on maternity leave but actually things like feeding take a lot of my concentration. And I like to have eye contact with Indi whilst feeding her, it’s good for bonding and that. So actually I’ve found podcasts a lot easier to listen to whilst pottering around after my baby.
So find a few you like before the birth, it saves scrolling through them at 3am y’know?
My current faves are Sophie Cliff’s Practical Positivity (a bit of a life coach boost), JVN’s Getting Curious (current topics and politics made fabulous), Yokomeshi’s The Wildlife Tourist (animal-based travel experiences and whether they’re ethical or not) and Race Chasers (RuPaul episodes hilariously commentated by Alaska and Willam). All very different lol. But there are so many great podcasts out there depending what you’re into.
Ok, there you have it, my top tips for surviving the newborn days! Do let know if you have any more advice as I’m still very much navigating this “forth trimester” as they call it.
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