First few days:
Rest, Rest and More Rest – I know what you’re going to say because i said the same, “How can you rest with a newborn!?” and i would get frustrated with anyone, including doctors, who would share this little nugget with me. I thought that they were asking me to do the impossible but as i found out its not and its super important, not only to help you recover but its also really good for your mental health. You’re no good to anyone or anything stumbling around like a zombie, especially yourself! Take the time, even if its only 5mins, to recharge and be a little bit selfish. You certainly deserve it, you did just birth a tiny human and that ladies is no small feat, so milk it honey! Put those feet up, take an extra nap and drink as much tea as you so wish! Love yourself mumma and don’t be afraid to let others lend a hand because it makes all the difference.
Healing and Recovery – Right now, you and your lady garden are not friends! She’s feeling angry and not looking so pretty (even more so if you had stitches) so just let her recover, bathe her plenty with warm water because not only does this help keep her clean and speed up the healing process but it is really soothing.
Don’t rush back into sex, yes i know thats probably the last thing your thinking of right now but its worth noting that everybody heals at a different pace and if you’ve had stitches it may well have changed the shape of your lady garden, so take it slowly and wait until you feel ready, then enjoy that moment when you finally get to be intimate again, when your not tired, sore or wrestling with a screaming T-rex!
Baby Clothes – DO NOT use the baby and toddler setting on the washing machine (if it has one of course) We found this out the hard way, after putting in a bundle of clothes we were borrowing, we pulled it all out after what felt like hours and it had all shrunk and was misshapen but luckily was still wearable.
We found that washing your babies clothes at a normal setting is just as effective and is a lot less damaging, we tend to stick to a temp of 40 as this is the recommend wash temperature on the majority of the clothing.
Routine – One thing i would strongly advise is to start a routine for bedtimes with your little one as soon as possible, granted they won’t understand a routine yet but when they do the transition will be so much easier. It also helps get you into a routine too so that this whole parenting thing doesn’t seem so much like your fumbling around in the dark.
A routine for feeding (for us anyway, because again every baby is different) was also very useful, because you could feel like you were a lot more in control of your day and you could actually plan things a lot easier. It also makes monitoring how much milk your baby is actually getting much much easier and makes the transition into solid foods much smoother.
Our Routine Example:
7:00 – 7:30 – First Morning feed
(Nap at 8)
10:00 – 10:30 – Get baby dressed and second feed
(Nap at 11)
1:00 – 1:30 – Third Feed
(Nap at 2)
4:00 – 4:30 – Fourth Feed
(Nap at 5)
7:00 – 7:30 – Get baby ready for bed, bedtime powder, dim lights and Fifth feed
10:00 – 10:30 – Dream feed (Try not to wake baby, feed in very dimly lit room)
(Baby may/may not wake for a feed or two overnight)
In the early days this was what we roughly aimed for each day but its always good to be flexible with your routine, as some days, things beyond your control may cause little blips that throw all your timings out but don’t stress, you can always reset tomorrow and again you need to find a rhythm that suits you and your baby.
It does get easier and less demanding, I promise, just stay strong and you will get there…eventually!
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