by Missy Jaramillo and Julie Snyder
Remember all those great books during pregnancy such as "What to Expect While You're Expecting?" Well now that baby is here what can you expect? For most new parents those first 24-48 hours after childbirth are mostly a blur. Once you are home again, you find that there is a whole new routine to learn -- with no set schedule and certainly no real script to follow!
It can be very easy to find yourself overwhelmed by the onslaught of well meaning friends and family. They have everything to offer from unwanted advice to a true invasion of your personal space! You may find that some of the expectations you had for your first weeks with new baby are far from the reality. Below you will find some of our favorite mom-to-mom tips for helping you through this initial honeymoon period with your new baby:
1. Enlist help! Now is not the time to be shy! You have family and friends that truly do mean well. It is best that you serve in the role of director and be honest about what you need/would like to have done. Make a list of chores that must be accomplished over the next few weeks and match these up with the skills of your volunteers. (This is a much better option than allowing some well meaning relative to take charge and actually create more work than they resolve!) Whether it is folding clothes, picking up groceries, entertaining the two-year-old, running thank you cards to the post office -- ASK! This frees you up to relax and better enjoy your baby. It also grants those that care about you the opportunity to feel as if they are contributing something useful...and they are!
2. Keep meals simple. We know -- it sounds easy. You believe that you are home now on maternity leave and have all this "free time" that whipping up a gourmet meal to celebrate would be simple enough.
HA! Now is not the time to feel trapped to the kitchen. Besides, you would feel horrible if you had spent hours preparing a meal and then passed out and missed the oven timer going off after missing yet another night's sleep!
Remember that idea above about asking for help? This is a perfect plan for many that are looking for something to do. If someone asks. "Is there anything that I could do?" be honest! Even having someone supply the main course and all you would have to do is toss a salad or heat veggies is perfect! Save your energy for enjoying that new little one!
3. Rest with the baby! This is one of those rules that we cannot stress enough! Yes, we're aware that there is laundry to be done, dishes that should be washed, and dusting to do. Guess what? It can wait. The whole household will be much better off with some temporary clutter and a well rested parent!
4. Keep visitors at a minimum. This can be extremely important for those first few weeks at home and is also often in the best interest of your baby's health. Certainly you are anxious to show off your new little one, but there will be time. Don't be afraid to place limits and disregard those that would like to insist that it is ok for THEM to come by. A good game plan is to let everyone know a date after which you will feel up to having visitors meet your newest family member. It is ok if they disagree. This time if for YOU!
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