You don’t truly appreciate the bliss of being 41 weeks pregnant until your little one makes their grand entrance, leaving you in the tub, inhaling essential oils at 3 a.m. in a lukewarm bath. Honestly, I’d rather relive the first trimester’s nausea or endure active labor than tackle the emotional rollercoaster that is postpartum life. Luckily, I’ve gathered some helpful insights from my early days as a new mom. Use them wisely!
- Grab a Caffeine Fix. (Or a Glass of Wine.) Or two. One midwife once warned me that caffeine could lead to a colicky baby. Sure, I can cut back on caffeine, but then I’ll also be sacrificing the ability to stay awake and care for my baby! My fellow urban mom friends assure me that one cup won’t hurt anyone. Most days, you’ll find me at a coffee shop, indulging in something cold—because hot drinks remind me of that time I lost my breakfast in the sink before my glucose test. Maybe a Coke? But what about the baby weight? Diet Coke? No thanks, aspartame is a no-go. Choose a reasonably-priced drink that brings you joy and savor it in moderation.
- Invest in Streaming Services. Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Amazon Prime are lifesavers. While freezer meals and visits from friends were helpful, I couldn’t have survived those initial weeks without the distraction of TV. My early companions? The Kardashians. I learned valuable life lessons about social issues from Kourtney, Khloe, and Kim—don’t forget Bruce!
- Customize Your Bathroom Experience. This may not relate directly to parenting, but trust me, a warm bath can make your postpartum bathroom visits a bit more bearable. #glamorous.
- Break the Rules Occasionally. If you need an extra hour of sleep, use whatever tricks you have. A hair dryer can substitute for a white noise machine, or if a pacifier just won’t stay in, try washi tape! If you’re prepping for a night out and worried about your nursing schedule, don’t hesitate to wake that baby up!
- Forget About Nipple Confusion. This is a band name at best, so don’t sweat it.
- Set Visitor Guidelines. I cherish my friends, but if you’re not bringing a gigantic casserole or a “new mom essentials” gift basket filled with bath goodies and healthy snacks, please wait until I’ve had a solid 25 hours of sleep a week before you regale me with tales of your marathon training and upcoming degree.
- Keep Your Birth Story to Yourself. Unless you’re sharing it through emojis, there’s no obligation to explain the details.
- Find a Naturopath. They’ll introduce you to magical remedies with names like “Wu Tang Clan” that can help restore your iron levels and perk up your energy—perfect for those who experienced excessive blood loss during delivery and ideal for hypochondriacs.
- Put Down the Phone and Sleep. There will always be time to Google your baby’s poop color later. Dr. Sears doesn’t need to be your bedtime companion.
- Don’t Expect Logic from Your Newborn. Babies will confuse day and night for weeks. They may love being swaddled one day and hate it the next. Just when you think they’re settled in their crib, they’ll wake up screaming—especially in a packed café while you’re nursing next to a group of suits having a business meeting!
- Trust Yourself, Mama. You know your baby best! The critics on parenting forums have never met your little one. So go ahead and do what feels right for your family—no apologies needed.
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Summary: Navigating postpartum life can be overwhelming, but with a few strategic tips—like indulging in caffeine, setting visitor expectations, and trusting your instincts—you can make this transition a bit smoother. Remember to prioritize self-care and lean on your support system to help you thrive during this time.