10 Tips to Make the Most of Your First Six Weeks with Baby

These Ten Tips to Make the Most of Your First Six Weeks with Baby have been provided by Dorette Skinner of Reporter of Hope. I found these tips and reminders helpful even as a fourth time momma, so I’m sure that you will find some gems here to help you thrive in the first six weeks postpartum!

Are you prepared for motherhood?

“I was 100% prepared for giving birth and life with my sweet little newborn,” said no mom ever.

 So don’t feel like you have to be the first one in history. Half the art of motherhood is improvisation and making the most of what you have in any given situation.

 If you are pregnant (it doesn’t matter if it’s with your first or fifth baby), life as you know it is about to change. And you’re probably feeling all the feelings from anxious to excited.

 Just remember that you are not alone, mama!

 You may be only one and your experience will certainly be unique, but I hope some of these tips can help you make the most of those first sweet weeks, also known to be the hardest.

 

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#1 Take advice with a pinch of salt.

 Including the 9 other tips in this post. It helps to see advice as a guideline in an ongoing experiment where the aim is to figure out what works best for you and your family.

 When I was about 7 months pregnant a friend told me that when in doubt, follow your heart. Just because we can read, doesn’t mean God did not give us instinct. We can also use our minds and take notes what works or learn from other people’s mistakes. Every baby is different in their own little way and you have been handpicked to be the mama of this one. Trust that you will know what to do.

 

#2 Capture memories.

 Before you know it the first six weeks will be over and your phone will be filled with pictures of a sleeping newborn. Make sure that the only pictures you are in are not only the ones taken by a professional photographer, but that you capture (or ask someone) to take every day pictures of you and the baby. Also think of other creative ways to help you remember, like keeping a journal or baby book.

 It will be very helpful if you are prepared to do this ahead of time, because in the moment you may not feel like smiling for the camera.

 

#3 Set boundaries from day one.

 Navigating relationships in the midst of a newborn can be so hard, but these first days often set the tone for years to come. Don’t give in if something makes you feel uncomfortable, family and friends may be surprisingly understanding of your boundaries, as long as they are firm and clear. If you don’t want to repeat yourself maybe print out some non-negotiable and put it up where everyone can see.

 With your significant other (on the other hand) you may want to set boundaries for yourself (a.k.a try not to ‘hover’ too much). Give him the freedom to figure out the practical side of changing, burping and helping with baby. Later you will be grateful if he feels comfortable enough around the ‘bundle of joy’ to give you some much needed breaks.

 

#4 Stock up ahead of time.

 The last thing you want to worry about, especially the first couple of days is ‘’what’s for dinner?” Stock up on freezer meals, nutritional snacks and fruit. While stocking up on nappies and wet wipes, it also doesn’t hurt to make sure you won’t run out of toilet paper, black bags or washing powder any time soon.

 

#5 Accept and ask for help.

 Regardless of the way your baby enters this world; your body will be in need of healing and recovery. We know you are awesome and can do anything, but this is not the time to be super mom. If anyone is willing to help, let them. Also ask for help if you find something hard or know you need to be lying down instead of pushing yourself to clean up and do another round of laundry.

 

#6 Plan a feast of favorites.

 All babies really need is to be clean fed, cuddled and loved. Since most of this will be up to you, the best gift you can give your baby is to make sure you are in a good place mentally. Hormones are real and you will do (or say) a few things that may seem way out of character. One way to combat this is to make time to do what makes you you. If you like reading, watching movies or have something that always lifts your mood. Make sure you will have easy access to all your favorite things during these six weeks. Pack a bag or basket you can keep at hand when you’re breastfeeding for example.

 It also makes for a great memory later. Like when I was pregnant with my first I read through a series by one of my favorite authors.

 

#7 Seek out other mom friends going through the same motions.

 This should be fairly easy since you’ll be pregnant for nine months and (unless you are much older or younger), some of your other friends may be pregnant as well. Don’t be afraid to be the one to ‘go first’ and share what you struggle with, or love, in this season of life. Find ways to encourage and connect with other moms as you grow together on this journey of motherhood.

 

#8 Use Baby’s naptime wisely.

 The golden rule is “sleep when baby sleeps”, but technically newborns can sleep 16 to 17 hours a day – and you don’t need that much sleep. Take a nap during the day if you have the opportunity and feel like it, but be very protective of night time sleeping routines. A big mistake I made with my first baby was to start scrolling through social media on my phone when I got up to breastfeed… with the result that I was still up a long time after my baby drifted back to sleep.

 With my second baby I switched my phone to airplane mode around 9pm (which became a habit I’m still grateful for) and only did feedings using the light from our baby monitor. It was much easier to fall asleep again soon after baby and I did not feel so tired during the day.  

 Try to do as many of the house tasks and things you need to do while baby is awake during the day. Use baby’s naptime to do self-care, spend time with your hubby or catch up with family and friends.

 

#9 Audio is your friend.

 Days alone at home can feel very lonely and isolating, especially if you are used to be surrounded by people. It helps to have music playing, or some kind of grown up voices in the background. I discovered that listening to great podcast interviews or audiobooks made me feel like I was in good company.

 

10# Go outside.

 Get out of the house at least once a day – even if it’s just to sit in the garden or on a balcony for five minutes. The bonus Vitamin D will also help.

 

May you not only survive the first few weeks, but thrive! Any tips you would add?

Check out The First Six Weeks: Thriving Naturally on Your Postpartum Journey if you want more tips like these to help you thrive in your first weeks as a momma. If you want natural remedies for common postpartum issues, a planner and guided journal to write down things you want to remember, or just the knowledge of what is happening to your body during this time, this book is for you!

You can find it on Amazon and Gumroad. 

 

Dorette Skinner is a Believer, mom, wife and hope writer, who is held together by grace.She likes to encourage others and her love language is ‘shared experiences’. At the moment she lives in South East Asia with her hubby and two cute little boys. She writes regularly at Reporter of Hope and recently published ‘A Story of Pregnancy and Hope‘. She also runs to Facebook groups for mommas: Moms Growing Since 18/19 and Moms Growing Since 16/17

 

 

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