Hello Everyone!
I was wracking my brain to determine what I should write about this week and was having some troubles .. Especially considering my days are mainly focused around sleep, changing diapers and eating a quick meal. Since my whole life has changed and become all about baby I thought what would be a better thing to write about than that? I decided I would let you know some of what I have learned in the last 6 weeks since becoming a new Mommy.
1. Don't worry about what the house looks like.
Easier said than done. I am a person who gets stressed and anxious fairly easily if my space is messy and dirty. I think this is due to the fact that my Mom owns her own cleaning business and I know what happens if you leave things neglected for too long. (Thanks Mom!) If you too are like that it is time to let it go. You will have to come to the realization that the house is no longer going to look absolutely pristine at all times. There are going to be some dishes in the sink, laundry in the hamper and dirt on the floors. I found this especially hard when we had company coming over when the baby was first born. I wanted the house to look great because I was worried about being judged if there was crap sitting around. Here's the thing though, nobody cares. Everyone is too busy looking at your beautiful bundle of joy and will completely understand if your home is messier than usual. Take it from me. Your time is going to be far better spent catching up on zzz's or taking a shower.
I was wracking my brain to determine what I should write about this week and was having some troubles .. Especially considering my days are mainly focused around sleep, changing diapers and eating a quick meal. Since my whole life has changed and become all about baby I thought what would be a better thing to write about than that? I decided I would let you know some of what I have learned in the last 6 weeks since becoming a new Mommy.
1. Don't worry about what the house looks like.
Easier said than done. I am a person who gets stressed and anxious fairly easily if my space is messy and dirty. I think this is due to the fact that my Mom owns her own cleaning business and I know what happens if you leave things neglected for too long. (Thanks Mom!) If you too are like that it is time to let it go. You will have to come to the realization that the house is no longer going to look absolutely pristine at all times. There are going to be some dishes in the sink, laundry in the hamper and dirt on the floors. I found this especially hard when we had company coming over when the baby was first born. I wanted the house to look great because I was worried about being judged if there was crap sitting around. Here's the thing though, nobody cares. Everyone is too busy looking at your beautiful bundle of joy and will completely understand if your home is messier than usual. Take it from me. Your time is going to be far better spent catching up on zzz's or taking a shower.
2. Sleep when the baby sleeps... No seriously.
I am still having trouble with this, and still kick myself in the arse when I don't actually follow this rule. (For example she is sleeping right now and I'm blogging ..) I know it is hard to change your sleep schedule (and I am so exhausted!) but I find sleeping in the day is just difficult. Plus I am always thinking there are other things I could be doing, but they will still be there later.. Trust me. I find I can handle colic episodes at 2am far better if I feel somewhat rested. If I haven't slept much than those late night/early morning events are harder to maneuver. So no matter what try and get some sleep, even a quick 20 minute nap is better than nothing. I find curling up with the blankets pulled up to my chin helps me to fall asleep and (if possible) a dark room. A trick I recently learned is to blink really quickly and I find it does make you sleepy. If all else fails I use sleep meditations to help me fall asleep or some white noise. The app I am currently using for meditations is Insight Timer. Thank you Mom for telling me about this great app!
I am still having trouble with this, and still kick myself in the arse when I don't actually follow this rule. (For example she is sleeping right now and I'm blogging ..) I know it is hard to change your sleep schedule (and I am so exhausted!) but I find sleeping in the day is just difficult. Plus I am always thinking there are other things I could be doing, but they will still be there later.. Trust me. I find I can handle colic episodes at 2am far better if I feel somewhat rested. If I haven't slept much than those late night/early morning events are harder to maneuver. So no matter what try and get some sleep, even a quick 20 minute nap is better than nothing. I find curling up with the blankets pulled up to my chin helps me to fall asleep and (if possible) a dark room. A trick I recently learned is to blink really quickly and I find it does make you sleepy. If all else fails I use sleep meditations to help me fall asleep or some white noise. The app I am currently using for meditations is Insight Timer. Thank you Mom for telling me about this great app!
3. Take time for yourself.
I know it is difficult when you have a new baby and have no routine at all to find time for yourself. Especially if you are dead tired and just want to sleep whenever you can and the last thing you want to do is hop in the shower or do a workout, it will do you wonders though. I find that exercise has been a real help with my mental state the last week. Of course you can't do anything exercise wise at first because you just gave birth but, once you get the OK from your doctor go ahead. I have never been 100% dedicated to exercise and have started to find it really therapeutic instead of a chore. I think because I have always worked being stuck at home is driving me a wee bit nuts. Exercising just helps me to escape and feel better about me, knowing I am taking care of myself makes me feel better and more energized. Meditation is another good way to give yourself a boost of energy, it also helps to clear your head and give yourself some me time. When you feel like you need to relax hop into the tub with some epsom salts, this is also great if you have stitches like I did after a vaginal birth. It helped to heal them and make things not hurt so much. Maybe even bring a new book along with you to read.
I know it is difficult when you have a new baby and have no routine at all to find time for yourself. Especially if you are dead tired and just want to sleep whenever you can and the last thing you want to do is hop in the shower or do a workout, it will do you wonders though. I find that exercise has been a real help with my mental state the last week. Of course you can't do anything exercise wise at first because you just gave birth but, once you get the OK from your doctor go ahead. I have never been 100% dedicated to exercise and have started to find it really therapeutic instead of a chore. I think because I have always worked being stuck at home is driving me a wee bit nuts. Exercising just helps me to escape and feel better about me, knowing I am taking care of myself makes me feel better and more energized. Meditation is another good way to give yourself a boost of energy, it also helps to clear your head and give yourself some me time. When you feel like you need to relax hop into the tub with some epsom salts, this is also great if you have stitches like I did after a vaginal birth. It helped to heal them and make things not hurt so much. Maybe even bring a new book along with you to read.
4. When the going gets rough take a break.
There have been many nights where all she does is cry for hours, I've learned that setting her down and walking away for a minute is OK. There have been some nights when she has cried for hours straight and nothing I do helps. It makes you feel awful and in turn can upset you. A rattled Mama is not going to help calm baby, so set her/him down and walk away. Take the monitor with you to the kitchen and make a tea. Once you have had a few minutes to collect yourself go back and try some more. You are only human and feeling overwhelmed when they are still crying is normal, I myself have had a few cries late at night when I am feeling this way.
There have been many nights where all she does is cry for hours, I've learned that setting her down and walking away for a minute is OK. There have been some nights when she has cried for hours straight and nothing I do helps. It makes you feel awful and in turn can upset you. A rattled Mama is not going to help calm baby, so set her/him down and walk away. Take the monitor with you to the kitchen and make a tea. Once you have had a few minutes to collect yourself go back and try some more. You are only human and feeling overwhelmed when they are still crying is normal, I myself have had a few cries late at night when I am feeling this way.
5. Find an awesome show to binge watch.
Having something to watch is always nice because you are spending lots of time alone with babe and they aren't much for conversation. We have Netflix and I have always wanted to watch Gilmore Girls. Now, with many late nights spent alone with my girl binge watching a show is great. It gives me something to look forward to at night and helps to keep me awake when I need to be. And, if you haven't seen Gilmore Girls yet you need to. Honestly it has quickly become my favourite show next to Friends.
Having something to watch is always nice because you are spending lots of time alone with babe and they aren't much for conversation. We have Netflix and I have always wanted to watch Gilmore Girls. Now, with many late nights spent alone with my girl binge watching a show is great. It gives me something to look forward to at night and helps to keep me awake when I need to be. And, if you haven't seen Gilmore Girls yet you need to. Honestly it has quickly become my favourite show next to Friends.
That's it! I hope these tips help you and if there are any you can think of that I haven't mentioned leave them in a comment below. Having Mama's sharing knowledge is helpful and it's nice to feel supported and understood. This is the biggest change in your life and knowing other women are going through it helps.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to chatting with you next week!
xo Jenna
Thanks for reading and I look forward to chatting with you next week!
xo Jenna
