You may be very
familiar with the idea of a birth plan. But planning for your postpartum time
is just as important. Getting organized before your baby is born can reduce
stress and avoid exhaustion. More importantly, you will have time to focus on
what is most important- your new baby!
Here are some
suggestions that can help you prepare for the postpartum period:
Make
sure you know where to get breastfeeding help before you need it. Contact a
lactation consultant that will come to your home to help during those first few
days. Visit my Breastfeeding Resources post to become familiar with all of the great options in town.
Create
baby care stations in a few areas around your house where you will be spending
the most time. Get a basket to hold diapers, wipes, burp cloths, blankets, and
a few changes of clothes.
If you are planning on breastfeeding, put
together a nursing basket for your essentials. In those first few weeks
you will be spending a lot of time sitting down nursing your baby. Include a
water bottle, nursing pads, coconut oil or lanolin for sore nipples, books, knitting
or other crafting materials, and anything else you will find handy during those
nursing sessions.
Make
a list of chores for visitors. Everyone who comes over to visit will ask if you
need any help, so make it easy for them and have a list of tasks posted on the
fridge that they can choose from.
Cook
and freeze meals, or have friends and family do it. Also, stock up on
disposable plates and utensils to use during those first few days and avoid the
stress of dishes piling up. Alternatively, sign up for a Meal Train and have
your visitors bring dinner each night for a week or two.
Accept
that you will not- and should not- be able to do everything you did before your
baby was born. It is okay if all the laundry isn’t done! Accept help from
others, rest, and enjoy your new baby.
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| Photo by Life Aglow |
