How to Make it Through the First Months of Parenthood

You have made it through pregnancy and labor and now have your wee one in your arms. It is easy to become overwhelmed. Between the rush of hormones, lack of sleep, healing, well-intentioned nags and caring for your new baby. You are home and recovering, yet there is so much to do. Do not stress. When people offer help, there are a multitude of things they can do. Allowing friends and family to do the following will ease your mind and help them feel useful at the same time. Take them up on the following and get some rest.

- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Laundry
- Running errands
- Making calls to announce the baby
- Taking care of the baby so you can get some rest
- Addressing and mailing out birth announcements
- Bathing the baby

Prioritize what has to be done and get to the rest when you feel up to it. You'll learn soon enough that everything doesn't "have to be taken care of" right then and there. Laugh. It may seem trivial, but it's easy to feel the weight of everything pressing down on you; The constant care of the baby, insecurities you may have about your post-baby body, fear of being judged by your friends and family, and those all-too prevalent givers of advice.

One of my best friends posted a flyer on her front door that said "We're enjoying our Baby-moon, please do not disturb". I thought this was a great idea. I had my daughter at home, so it was a bit easier for me to take my time getting back to everyone. I had my best friend email everyone with the information and a few pictures, letting them know we would get back to them in a few days. She also fielded phone calls so I wouldn't have to answer the same questions repeatedly. My mom cooked , helped clean and did laundry. My husband took the baby when I needed rest. My father in law brought movies for us to watch, and my mother in law brought take out occasionally. All too soon it'll be just you, baby and your partner.

You'll settle into a routine and revise your definition of "normal". Chances are, it'll be several months before your baby sleeps through the night, and sleep deprivation will rear it's ugly head. If possible, enlist a friend/family member's help and ask them to watch the baby (where is up to you) so you can get some rest, or get a few things done around the house. Leaving the house with a newborn is an adventure in itself, so here are a few tips to make it less daunting:

- Keep a small diaper bag in your vehicle (diapers, toy, blanket, wipes, hand sanitizer, pacifier(if you use one) change of clothes for the baby and you)
- Cell phone (You'll be glad you did if you break down)
- Spare key for your car. You can buy the magnetized ones that are hidden somewhere on your car(just in case)
- Baby carrier (I used a baby sling the first few months. Beats toting a car seat along) My daughter usually slept inside it
- Bottle of water for you (You'll get thirsty fast if you're breastfeeding)
- Healthy snack for you (Just in case you're out longer than expected)

Keep in mind it may take a while before you feel comfortable with all the changes going on in your home. It's normal, we all go through it. You're now part of the Parent's Club. Garnering knowing smiles from fellow members and oodles of compliments for your little one. Enjoy this time, it'll pass just as you adjust to it. But that's parenthood, and seeing that first smile makes it worth every second.