I still can’t believe I’m going to be a Mom but am so pumped to join this club along with so many of you. I know whatever comes my way-I won’t be alone because I have so many of you to lean on and vent to LOL.
With only a few weeks left until my daughter arrives, I've been thinking a lot about how I'm going to manage my business/baby/life all at once. Truth is-I actually don’t expect to balance any of it and that’s the beauty of it.
Recently I asked you guys for your best mom-tips, not the standard advice but the sh*t no one talks about. Here are the best real-life baby-hacks that you sent in:
If you have a partner or someone helping you, take shifts at night and trade off naps if you can get them in during the day. This can look different depending on your lifestyle, but figure out a schedule that works for you.
Take the stool softeners they offer you at the hospital. Just do it. Bring home a few pairs of the weird mesh underwear and giant pads. Grab some nipple cream if they have it too, the hospital kind is the best.
If you choose to breastfeed, be patient while your milk supply comes in. It can take up to 8 weeks for your supply to really regulate, and you may have to pump every few hours to get your body to produce enough.
Keep a spare outfit in your car, office, and diaper bag- not just for baby but for you as well! Spit up, blowouts, and leaks happen at the worst time.
Keep everything you need next to your bed/couch so you don't have to get up (including a few extra snacks- breastfeeding makes you hungry AF).
Schedule alone time for both you and your partner like you would schedule any meeting or appointment- and stick to it!
Accept any offers for help. You might not be super comfortable handing off baby to just anyone yet, but if someone wants to cook/clean/just sit and chat with you so you feel like a person again, let them.
Take as much time as your lifestyle allows to focus JUST on healing and taking care of the baby. If you don't need/want to jump straight back into work, don't. Take your time to adjust. Get into your new groove as a family.
Babywear!
Get as many samples of things (bottles, formulas, pacifiers, diapers, etc) as you can.
Sometimes, being a great mom means putting yourself first. Stop pumping if you feel like you’re not getting a break. Let other people stay up with the baby and take a nap. Go back to work and get help early if you want to. You can't pour from an empty cup, and part of giving your baby their best life is giving them their happiest mom.
Let go of the mom guilt! You might need to work less hours, you might not be able to keep up with breastfeeding, whatever. As long as your baby is loved and cared for, you're doing a great job.
Finally- know that it will be harder than anything you've ever done, but so f*cking worth it. It will go by SO FAST- so soak up every snuggle and late night diaper change while you can.
I’ve linked a few things here that I’ve gotten so far that have been recommended by so many of you.
xx
Congratulations! Everything is a yes. You’ll both do amazing! Oh, I believe you should try Yoni steaming after childbirth. It helps with healing your womb and your whole self too.
Ditto! On all of these! The most important part is to accept help especially if you don’t have any family nearby. And the milk supply thing, just keep going! The moment you want to quit and at your breaking point, is the moment you’ll start to get the hang of breastfeeding. You’ll be a great momma Lorena!