Postpartum life is hard. No matter what your birth experience looked like, coming home & caring for a tiny human, while also trying to feel like yourself again, is beyond challenging. Today I’m sharing what I found to be most helpful as a first time mom from my first week home until now, four months later.
KNOW WHO WILL BE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU
First and foremost, you need support. Be sure to have a team of people you know you can count on for anything and everything. I truly wouldn't have been able to get through the first two weeks without Rob being as amazing as he was. He was a GEM and made sure all of my needs were met. We were lucky that he was able to take time off of work to be home with us right away.
Then there’s my mom. Literally don’t know what I would do without her. Between helping with laundry, vacuuming the floor, throwing the ball with the dogs outside, washing bottles, staying over when Rob worked nights, picking up groceries, and just being a listening ear, she deserves more than I could ever give her in return.
Then there’s the rest of our family. Again, from dropping off meals, to helping with the dogs, and everything in between, we are so so lucky to have the support and love from our families that we do! We couldn’t ask for better parents and siblings <3
DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME TIME
Whether it’s ten minutes alone in the shower, or an hour out and about getting a coffee and running some errands, me time is more important now than ever. You know what they say - you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking time to relax and do something for yourself each day will help you be the best mom you can be. If you’re feeling burnt out, that’s a sign that it’s time for some self care! I know sometimes it’s easier said than done, especially if you have a baby attached to you 24/7, but carving out that time for yourself is worth it.
Time with your husband, just you two, is also important! It can be nerve-wracking to leave your baby for the first time, but making time for each other will help keep you connected! Our first outing just us was actually a wedding! I was technically supposed to be pregnant still, lol, but either way I didn’t want to miss it. It totally helped that the wedding was 10 minutes from my parent’s house so I knew I could easily leave if needed. We ended up staying almost the entire time and we had SO much fun! It was defintey needed and I’m glad we went. We haven’t really went out since then, which is way overdue, so we’re planning to mark a date for just us in the calendar next month!
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
We are so lucky that Gemma is a super easy baby. Her calm and content nature makes getting out of the house fairly easy for us. In those first few weeks, getting out and soaking in the fresh air made me feel normal again. When you have a baby, your world is turned upside-down. An entirely new routine & trying to adjust seems impossible some days. But if you make an effort to get out even just one day a week, you’ll feel so much better, I promise! Of course we have our days where staying home is just easier, but when you feel like getting out, just go for it.
SLEEP WHEN BABY SLEEPS
Seriously. Take advantage of nap time. The laundry can wait. The sink full of dishes can wait. Lay down and shut your eyes when baby is sleeping. This is especially necessary during those first few weeks when baby may be up multiple times a night. To make it through that you need to be rested! I’ll never forget my brother in law telling me I looked like the most well rested mom of a baby under six months that he's ever seen. My answer: because I sleep when she sleeps! So I still get my 12 hours, just not in a row lol. We are also so blessed that Gemma is a great sleeper. She went through a little four month week of disrupted sleep, but she seems to be getting out of it now, fingers crossed!
GIVE YOURSELF GRACE
You just birthed a baby! And now you are 100% responsible for it! Give yourself grace and remember what your body went through. Vaginal or c section. Medicated or natural. Whatever birth looked like for you, I’m sure it was magical and messy and beautiful and crazy all at the same time. When you’re feeling pressure to fit back into your skinny jeans, or do your makeup & hair, or have your house look spotless, look down at that little miracle in your arms & remember that it’s okay if you’re not where you want to be yet. That little babe is your number one priority. That little babe depends on you right now for everything. One day that little babe won’t need you as much as they do down. Cherish these precious moments and give yourself grace.
POST PARTUM PRODUCTS FOR PHYSICAL HEALING
If you read Gemma’s birth story, you will know that I had a vaginal birth. I answered a bunch of questions in that post; however do I want to share products I used at home to help my body heal.
If there is one product you buy, let it be this. The entire Frida Mom line is great, but the Perineal Healing Foam is by far the best and most necessary if you have a vaginal birth. I wish I had it at the hospital with me. It is SOOOOO much better than the Tucks pads, I can’t even describe it lol. Just a few pumps on your pad every time you change it and you’ll be feeling like new in no time!
The Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle is also great. I like it better than the one I brought home from the hospital. It’s also nice to have two if you have multiple bathrooms you will be using. Another Friday Mom product I got but didn’t use was the Instant Ice Maxi Pads. I bought them probably a week after being home and ended up not opening them, but if I had them right away I’m sure I would have used them. I know a lot of people suggest the depend underwear, but like, who wants to wear an adult diaper?? Grab some of these pads and the Hanes mesh/breathable undies from target (can’t find a link but they come in a four pack) and you’ll be good to go!
And last, if you’re breastfeeding and/or pumping, you’ll need a good nipple cream. I used the rose ointment from young living and absolutely love it! I know a lot of girls who also love the earth mama brand which is also all natural! Pro tip: put it on before you pump so it’s a little more comfortable.
As always, thank you so much for reading!
If you have any questions at all or just need a listening ear, I’m always here, just reach out!
xoxo
