I feel like I had a team of design experts helping solve the toy clutter problem last week–thanks for your great ideas!
This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about Beyoncé. Okay, I know that sounds crazy, but it’s her first week as a mom, and no matter how much help she and Jay-Z have with little Blue Ivy, this is a really hard time! I remember feeling like I was living in a cave, with no sense of what time it was or if I’d ever go outside again. There’s so much anxiety, love, fear, pain, ecstasy… it’s a roller coaster, even if you’re, well, Beyoncé.
I have a few real-life friends who are in their first weeks with new babies, too, so here are a few comforting thoughts that I’d have liked to hear back then:
- 1. Babies cry. Soothe as best you can, but don’t let the crying drive you crazy. It’s okay. Your child is safe and loved.
- 2. Don’t worry about emails. Let them go. You’ll catch up later.
- 3. I promise you’ll go out with friends again one day–and it’ll be sooner than you think.
- 4. Labor and delivery can be traumatic, but everything heals. Really.
- 5. It’s fine–encouraged even–to spend all day on the couch with your baby, cuddling and feeding and drifting in and out of sleep while you watch a Real Housewives marathon.
Want to add some? Please do! You know, for Beyoncé.
No one but YOU (& possibly your MIL) thinks you are a terrible wife if you don’t do dishes for 2 days in a row after having a newborn!
Matter of fact, most people are too busy looking at the baby to even notice.
It is perfectly acceptable to ask guests to leave when you’ve reached your limit. This includes family, even your MIL and Mother.
Its Ok to cry if u feel overwhelmed! The Baby won’t tell anyone u did!
1. It IS ok if you are wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt when visitors come over! Wear what is comfy and easy! The truth is that no one will even be looking at you and you’re gonna end up with baby poop or spit up on your clothes as some point during the day
2. I think this one applies for however long you want (my kids are almost 4, almost 2, and almost 3 months and I still use it)…You do NOT have to answer the phone every time it rings. You can call people back a few minutes or days later. Pick up the phone calls when you want to talk not when you feel like you should talk to whomever is calling.
Figure out the necessities like what has to washed and what can wait. And let it. Parper plates are fine for a week or two.
Sleep when they do, easier said the done, but a necessity.
No one cares about your hair and make up. Icluding baby.
Dad is capable, let him, make him.
Find at least 15 minutes daily of me time whether it is a long shower, good tea or coffee, walking to get the mail. You need to clear your head.
Enjoy all the daily ups and downs. They change so fast.
1. Get help! My mom came and rented an apartment nearby for a month after my daughter was born. She cleaned, cooked us hot meals, gave me much needed adult contact, helped organize our small condo to accomodate baby stuff. It was a life saver.
2. Don’t give up on breastfeeding — but make sure you know where to get help if it gets hard. I got mastitis at the end of my first week as a mom, and it was awful. Then I got it again at 3 weeks. That was my greatest challenge as a new mom. Happy to say we’re going strong at 16 months!
3. Put down the baby books and listen to your mommy gut. Find a support network for new parents in your area.
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