Don’t Compare yourself to other mamas
When you become a mother its hard not to compare yourself to others mothers. Many of us already do that with self image. Its easy to fall prey to that same mentality in motherhood. Pray and make a commitment to not give into those thoughts. Don’t compare your home, your body, your wardrobe, your car, your baby items, your nursery or not having a dream nursery. just like a wedding/marriage. Motherhood looks different on everyone. No birth, no mother, no baby are exactly alike. Embrace who you are and enjoy your baby. Things do not make you a good mother. Your baby isn’t looking at any of that, your baby is looking at you daily. 🙂 do you remember what you wore as a baby, or what baby items your mother had for you?
Don’t let the world or others make you feel any less then what God says you are. He feels you were just right for this position before having your baby. So don’t let things or others control you or your day. Love your baby and enjoy what you have, work with what you have and don’t feel compared. There’is something in you others admire that you may not see.
Let Your Baby Lead The Way
Being a first-time parent can be stressful – especially when everyone wants to put in their two cents and what they’re telling you doesn’t feel right. As soon as friends and relatives started giving you advice (more like demands) on how to raise your little one -learn to ignore it, I know it can be nerve racking, but remember that this is your child. I couldn’t bear the thought of hearing my little ones in hunger because it hadn’t been three hours since his last feeding. If you let your baby – not someone else – tell you when he is hungry or tired, you will find that he (and you!) will be much happier and healthier.
Be prepared
One thing’s for sure: you never know what to expect when it comes to a newborn! When you leave the house, make sure you are equipped with an extra change of clothes for baby and you, also plenty of diapers and wipes, an extra towel or receiving blanket, pacifier if you use one and a bottle of milk or formula if not nursing in case your little one gets hungry earlier than you anticipated. Newborns are always having blow outs, not to mention a breastfed baby! It never hurts to have extra. I like to put a few groceries bags in my diaper bag to keep dirty cloths/burp cloths etc separate and tied til I get home to throw them in the wash.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Raising a baby is hard work, but you don’t have to feel overwhelmed. Ask your hubby, your parents and your friends to help out when things get tough. If someone offers a meal, accept it. If someone offers to help clean, allow them too. Try and remember its only a season. I know how I like things a certain way, but I have had much success allowing my body to heal from birth and allowing others to help. It may not be done exactly how I want it, but reminding myself they are doing their best and its giving me time to bond, rest and focus on my little one helps me let go and be grateful for anyone who is willing.
Staying calm
If you are feeling frustrated, ask for help. If you are alone, put baby in the crib/bassinet, bouncy seat or another safe spot and take a few minutes to take some deep breaths, get a drink and maybe a snack. Sometimes I have gotten so busy caring for my little ones, I didn’t realize it had been a while since I had taken even a sip of water or gotten a snack. Being dehydrated, or low blood sugar plus lack of sleep can cause anyone to feel stressed. If you’re stressed, baby will pick up on your tension and it can make things harder for nursing or even calming baby.
Breast may be best, but formula is fine too
I couldn’t breast feed my second son. He was a preemie very early 32 weeker. I pumped and pumped and pumped.. but despite all my hard efforts it just wasn’t meant to be. The first few weeks were heartbreaking and frustrating. I wound up having to use formula which really upset me and he had some sensitivities. He got threw it and is now a teenager towering over me 🙂
I def prefer nursing ultimately above anything if possible, but wanted to make mention of a homemade goats milk formula I use when nursing hasn’t always come easy. You can find that (recipe here) Just so you know, its OK to feed your baby formula. Your baby will still bond with you and still thrive.
Company coming Help!
I always keep a laundry basket close by when I have a newborn for quick clean ups.
Which my family calls a “fling it”
A basket is easy to grab and tote around to grab loose items up that are laying around the house. Set it into another room out of sight… then after your company leaves you or someone helping you can put the things in the laundry basket in the proper places. Another quick thing to do take a spray to the sink and wipe it clean. That way your bathroom sink seems clean enough to wash hands before handling your little one 🙂 you don’t have to clean the entire bathroom, you will see how just spraying and wiping the sink plus putting out a fresh hand towel or paper towels freshen up your bathroom. It might be something to keep in mind on a regular basis the first few months.
Use that Slow cooker!
You could ask for a few of them on your baby registry ;). They are so helpful for cooking with a new born postpartum and threw pregnancy. With two on hand you can have breakfast and dinner already made. Overnight oats which is perfect for milk supply, and chicken with broth and veggies for dinner. It only takes a few minutes to add water to a pot with brown rice and you have a nourishing dinner prepared for you and your family. There are tons of recipes online for slow cookers, (here) is a great site to check out, If your following THM just sub ingredients that are not on plan. You don’t have to worry about making it a crossover because that is what you want to be eating during pregnancy and postpartum. Not only for a rich milk supply, but also for energy and healing. and Freezer meals are perfect for slow cookers. Add entire bag turn on low and walk away. If you still have time before baby take a weekend where someone helps you prep some freezer meals. That way when baby is born you are all set.
Let Go and Enjoy now!
Try to quit worrying about tomorrow. We get so caught up in tomorrow we forget about this day, this very second. Enjoy your baby at this stage. Yes even when losing sleep, or crying spells, growth spurts, dirty house, messy hair, living in jammies, its a season and it doesn’t last forever. Seasons come and go, but enjoying today makes a difference for tomorrow.
As Always give yourself Grace
Its ok for your body to be diffrent now. You are a Mother. You are not your old self. Let your body be what it is. I’m not saying , dont take care of yourself. Im saying, eat your best, rest your best, do you best and leave the rest. As time goes by, you will find ways to get back in routine and find what works for you. Remember the baby was born, but your body is still being used as a life source for your little one. If that means carrying a few extra pounds around so you have abundant milk supply, then let it be. The time will come you will wish nursing wasn’t ending. Its only a season.
You may already know some of these tips, but its always great to have a reminder.
Congratulations and enjoy that beautiful blessing, they grow fast and time is flying by!!
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