I really love how this article gives clear ideas for how to navigate the newborn period. It’s great because it doesn’t go overboard with excess information. That just ends up overwhelming new parents-to-be. It just gives ways to make life with a new baby a little easier. These are tips I really wish I would have implemented with my sweetie pie. The founders of NuuNest, Cindy and Jana, put together this list based on their many years of experience working as nurses and lactation specialists with moms in the immediate postpartum period. Enjoy!
-Kristi
Your due date is arriving! You have everything you need, right? Diapers and wipes. Check. Sleepers, blankets and onesies. Check. Here are 11 things you may not have thought about yet!
Even if your partner plans to take time off after baby’s birth, it pays to have extra support. Someone to help with the housework, the cooking, the laundry. This could be a parent, your aunt or a trusted friend. You must feel comfortable with this person and not feel the need to “entertain” them. This person’s role will be to care for you.
Having a support person will free you to focus on getting to know your baby and finding some much needed time to nap.
Parents with other children often take turns napping; having a support person to help with siblings will mean both you and your partner can rest when the bay does (doubling your sleep time!).
Too much company is the #1 complaint we hear from new parents. Making a plan before baby’s birth can save this frustration.
Visitors who bring a meal or pitch in with the housework can be invaluable. This is not the time to have company that needs to be entertained!
A rule of thumb: if you have to worry if your bathroom is clean enough, they are company that needs to wait!
Even a 5-minute visit can mean a missed nap. And you will really be feeling the effects of that missed nap at 3am.
Be sure your plan includes both your time in hospital as well as at home. Gently explain your plan to your loved ones well before baby’s due date. It can be very difficult to navigate this sensitive topic after baby’s arrival.
Knowing the breastfeeding basics can help you get off to a great start. Focus on these 3 essentials:
- How to position yourself comfortably
- How to latch your baby
- How to know your baby is getting enough milk.
You can learn more about preparing for breastfeeding here.
Once baby arrives, you are likely to feel famished! The marathon of labor takes energy. Breastfeeding requires an extra 500 calories a day.
In the busyness of the newborn period, there will be little time for meal prep. Protein bars and trail mix will soon lose their appeal.
Soups, casseroles, lasagne or meatballs prepared and frozen ahead of time can be a lifesaver.
The first few minutes after birth are precious! These moments cannot be recreated. Distraction with social media can happen quickly without really thinking about it. Plan now to spend this precious time focused in the moment.
It can be exhausting to keep up with text messages, Facebook messages and emails. Send a group message to the most important people in your life with a few details about your new arrival; explain that you will be “offline” for a few days.
Consider the first weeks of your baby’s life the 4th trimester. Keep your baby close. Hold your baby skin to skin or consider baby wearing.
Let go of the notion that babies need to learn to fall asleep on their own. Relax and enjoy cuddling and getting to know your new son or daughter.
If you can have some time off work prior to your delivery, mid afternoon naps can be heavenly and help you to be in a rested state for what is ahead.
There are certain things that you cannot do without (like toilet paper, soap, toothpaste etc.) Make sure you are well stocked up to prevent having to make a run to the store in a sleep-deprived state!
You will spend much of baby’s first few weeks breastfeeding. Try to envision where you will feel most comfortable. You may want to move a comfortable chair to the bedroom or you may prefer a corner in the living room. A footrest and nearby table for your water bottle and snacks will come in handy.
A newborn requires 10 or more diapers changes a day! Even if you have a change table in your nursery, a couple of portable “change stations” can save a lot of steps. Consider stocking a basket or two with a change pad, diapers, wipes, and creams. Stash these in areas of the house where you spend a lot of time.
Having a new baby is a time of huge change for both mom and dad. There will be sleep-deprived moments where unkind words will be said and/or someone’s needs will go unmet.
During your pregnancy, take time to discuss the changes that are happening in your life. Invite discussion about your concerns or fears. Work out ways to keep communication channels open.
Caring for a newborn takes a lot of energy (and a lot of time!). The feeding and changing alone will consume 10 to 12 hours of your day. It will be impossible to maintain your home to your pre-baby standards.
In the weeks after baby’s birth, you may want to focus on maintaining just one room. Retreat to this space when you are feeling overwhelmed.
If you have already had your baby, please let us know what preparations worked well for you. Was there anything you wished you had done ahead of time?
Cindy and Jana are Registered Nurses and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants who have assisted over 20,000 families. Learn more at cindyandjana.com.
Download their app NuuNest – Newborn Nurse Answers and Baby Tracking for expert guidance through the first crucial weeks after childbirth.
Twitter: @NuuNest_CandJ
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I am an Ob/Gyn and I love helping people really, truly understand their bodies and live healthy lives. I believe true wellness comes from more than just a pill. When not working I love to mountain bike, cook, learn to sew, and go on adventures with my husband and our daughter.