You nest for months, preparing for the arrival of your little human. The house is cleaner than it ever has been, their room is perfect; everything in place. Car seat installed, hospital bag packed, you’re just waiting and anticipating all the firsts. Have you stopped to think about what happens AFTER they are born? Sure you have the 48-hour hospital stay and the exciting first trip home, but what then?
Besides staring at this beautiful thing you made for hours on end, life still goes on, and you still have certain things you will absolutely NEED. There are friends and family to help, but there are also quite a few services that most people don’t know about that are offered which can truly help ease the exhaustion of those first few weeks.
1. Meal Prep Service – This is surely a phenomenal help! The concept is to create a meal calendar in which friends and family can sign up to cook and drop off a hot meal to the new parents. It’s a free service, mealtrain.com, that help makes life a lot more relaxing. Though, a few words from experience to help make it truly easy: Have someone else coordinate it for you. Invitations can be sent via email and Facebook to friends who would want to participate.Make sure to reiterate the point that this is strictly to help mommy and daddy (and family) out – not to spend 2 hours hanging out with the new baby when mommy would rather be sleeping. While visitors are nice, sometimes the very beginning can be overwhelming. So a cook and drop expectation set is essential and if you are up for it, then surely they can come in.Let everyone know that they aren’t cooking for a dozen and it doesn’t have be any glamorous 5-course meal. Something simple is just as appreciated. Plus you don’t want to waste leftovers when you’ll have new meals coming in.Skip a night here and there. Since you will likely get more portions than you need, give yourself every 2nd or 3rd night off so you can eat the leftovers and not have food rotting in your fridge.
2. Breastfeeding lactation consultant – So while you eating is surely important, baby eating is essential! All new mommies will get their free advice from the in-hospital lactation consultants, but sometimes they can be a bit pushy or rushed and give advice that may not be most consoling to the new mom (such as: “you are going to have to supplement if they won’t latch”.) We already have enough pressure, so working with a consultant outside of the hospital once you are home and settled can be very reassuring. Local specialist, Stacy Kucharczk, with BestFeeding Lactation Services, LLC, http://www.helpingyou2breastfeed.com , is a lifesaver! She is incredibly knowledgeable, with her MSN, RN, CPNP, IBCLC licenses, but most importantly compassionate. A mother herself, she really is able to console, instruct and help with problems that may occur. I highly recommend her, even if you have the smallest question, she’s happy to help; via phone, text, in-home visits, etc. Call her before you give up! It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
3. Bra Fittings – On the same breastfeeding note; if you haven’t already gotten yourself some adequate nursing bras (or nursing tops), you will realize quickly that they aren’t a luxury, but a true necessity. At the beginning, you feel more like a cow than a new mom. It seems like you really only have your boobs unexposed for about 30 minute increments before it’s time to whip them out again. Therefore, nursing wear that makes it easier and FITS for that matter, are so much more wonderful than attempting to wear your own bra and having to be literally nude. Also, you will notice they get dirty frequently because of leaking, etc. That is why we, and most professionals, recommend to have at least three. One in the wash, one on your body, and one for when that one gets dirty. All of which serve a little different purpose. One as a sleep bra for comfort and less restriction and ease of night-time feeding. One which is a day-time comfort bra that you can wear as your go to and then one that you go in public with that will have a bit more coverage and perhaps padding to cover your nipples.
So of course, we offer FREE bra fittings at any time. No appointment needed and we’ll get you in there trying on a different lines to help teach you about the different support styles, etc. If you are reading this early and haven’t yet delivered, come in around your 37 week mark and get yourself prepared ahead of time, we love giving mommies comfort!
4. Mommy Pampering – You may not be able to fathom leaving your sweet pea, but I promise it will be very rejuvenating. Whether you are going for a facial, a massage, a fresh new haircut and color, or just a pedicure…GO – DO – ENJOY. You know the saying “Happy Wife, Happy Life”, well “Happy Momma, No Drama”. My personal favorite is a facial, massage combo with The Skin Ranch. Sue is a mom herself so she knows the importance of your relaxation and treats you like a piece of gold. You will feel completely revived and ready to see that baby by the time you leave.
5. New Mommy Phone App – Ok back to breastfeeding. I know it seems like a lot to do with breastfeeding, but you will quickly find, beyond it’s importance, it consumes you at first. All worth it. This app saved me, especially during my insomnia. To be able to track the duration, the time, which side, when I pumped, as well as diaper changes, sleeping patterns, doctor visits. The app is called Baby Nursing, but there are many options out there that do similar things. I just know people, myself included, like FREE.
Well that is just the tip of the iceberg of useful services for new mommies. My main purpose for writing this was to help prepare you and your mind for those days and weeks after baby. Your number one useful service is obviously your significant other, you parents, in-laws and friends (if family aren’t nearby). Having them over to help, even if them sitting with the baby for an hour while you sleep or shower, you’ll not only want their help, you will need it! Joy surely encompasses all this exhaustion and craziness, so don’t get me wrong…but the moments when you think you won’t get by any longer, turn to one of these ideas!
Best of luck mommy! And remember…just breathe.
My Lil Deuce "Coop" 