When you’re expecting, preparing for your baby’s arrival will help you feel more in control and can help stave off stress and anxiety, which are two common concerns among sleep-deprived new moms. Here, we deliver four of the best tips to get you all ready for the first weeks of your little one’s life at home.
Meal Prepping and Planning
Cooking in large batches and portioning out lunches and dinners will save you money as well as let you spend more time with your precious family during the first few weeks after your baby is born. Before your due date, spend a day or a weekend shopping for what you need and prepping as much as you can, then freeze the portions in separate containers to avoid wasting leftover food that can’t be refrozen. If you need some meal prep ideas, look online for nutritious recipes that can be reheated and served without too much fuss. And if you’re planning on breastfeeding, opt for superfoods like oatmeal, spinach, whole wheat pasta, avocado, and salmon to stock up your fridge and pantry.
Lining Up Babysitting Options
Finding reliable help to care for your infant well before your due date will bring you peace of mind in case you need assistance – or some me-time – after the birth of your baby. Ask friends, relatives, and even your neighbors’ teenage kids if they’d be willing and able to lend a hand once in a while so that you can step out of the house to run an errand or go to an appointment by yourself. Ask them what their availability is, and offer to compensate them for their time. Even if you’re not planning on leaving your newborn for any extended period of time, you’ll feel more mentally and emotionally prepared knowing that you have babysitters lined up in case of an emergency – or to go out on a date with your partner.
Taking Time Off From Work
When you’re recuperating after giving birth, the last thing you want is to worry about work piling up on your desk or having to deal with unhappy, impatient customers. So make sure you inform your clients well in advance that you’ll be taking a break to care for your newborn, and if you can, hire a virtual assistant or part-time help to run things in your absence, even if they just need to check emails and field phone calls. This will allow you to focus on your little one, and you’ll also get more rest, which is really important when you can’t get a full night’s sleep as you’re nursing your newborn every few hours.
Gentle Exercises
Becoming a new mom can be a challenge, but exercising doesn’t have to be! There are plenty of gentle exercises that new moms can do to stay fit and build strength while also facilitating much-needed relaxation. Low-impact activities such as yoga, swimming, and Pilates are excellent ways to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and promote overall well-being without straining the body. If you live in a neighborhood with sidewalks, get outdoors and go for a daily stroll. These activities provide an opportunity for new moms to socialize with other parents in the neighborhood or at exercise classes for additional support.
Stocking Up on Nursing Supplies
Running out of supplies when you’re sleep-deprived is never a good thing. So make sure you stock up on essentials for you and your newborn even before you leave the maternity ward. Your baby’s nursery should have enough diapers and wipes to last you for at least a few days, so you don’t have to run out to the store. If you’ve decided to use cloth diapers instead of disposables, make sure you have enough on hand to avoid having to do laundry too often.
And a new mom also needs to have essentials at the ready: a pack or two of washable and reusable breast pads will keep you fresh and comfortable day and night, as well as prevent unsightly wet spots on your nursing tops. A tube of nipple cream or ointment should also be part of your nursing essentials to relieve and restore cracked, painful nipples. And don’t forget to stock up on burp cloths to protect your clothes from the inevitable spit-ups!
Having your baby and mom essentials available when you need them will go a long way toward making you feel at your best, so go online and put all your favorites in your shopping cart! Also, make sure to take time off work to bond with your little one and get the rest you need for the weeks and months ahead.
Confidently navigate being a new parent with high-vibe coaching from Natalia Wiatr.
Sarah Bull
Sarah Bull is a single mom of two, an entrepreneur, and a penny pincher. She created her blog, economymom.com, to share what she’s learned about growing a home-based business and making money online all while raising two awesome kids. Through her site, she hopes to inspire readers, especially fellow moms, to take their earning destinies into their own hands using her career and money-making advice.