Bringing a newborn home, especially if it’s your first, is one of the most insanely exciting, overwhelming, terrifying and life-changing periods of your life. No matter how many books, articles or blogs you read, or how many conversations you have with other mamas, nothing – repeat, NOTHING – can prepare you for what those first few weeks will entail. Your whole life (and sleeping patterns!) will be completely turned upside down, and you may feel like the newborn stage will never end. But, it will. And, although you can never ever be fully prepared for exactly how it will be for you and your new family, here are some hacks that will definitely come in useful when it comes to preserving your sanity.
1. Manage expectations
First and foremost, the number one most helpful hack we can possibly give is also the easiest – manage your expectations. If you go into this warzone with the expectation that you will be changing a dirty nappy every single hour, that you will get the absolute bare minimum of sleep, that you can forget regular showers, bathroom breaks and mealtimes (you’ll grab whatever scrap of time you can for the necessities!) then mama, half the battle is already won! Chances are, if you manage your expectations to prepare for the worst, it will never be as hard or as bad as you thought. And before you know it, you’ll be showering like a normal human again!
2. Ask for and accept help
If managing expectations is the number one hack, then this is hands-down a hard second. Sister, you need to put aside that pride and accept all the help that’s offered to you, and – gasp! – actually reach out and ASK for help. Every time you have a visitor, ask them to bring something. Whether it’s a snack to share or a litre of milk and some fresh bread, these little things will make such a difference to your sanity. When someone offers to help, tell them exactly what you need; a big lasagna to freeze, a cleaner to come and do a once-over, or a massage for the five thousand knots that have appeared in your shoulders. Better yet, offer to swap them a cuddle with baby for a blissful 15 minutes in the shower – win-win for everyone! Asking for help is also about what you need emotionally and mentally. If you feel like you’re struggling more than you should, and are having scary thoughts then you need to seek support immediately, don’t try to struggle through alone!
3. Join a mums group
Sometimes there is no better stress relief than a good old rant and vent, and mums groups are the absolute best place to offload all your gripes to sympathetic ears and other mamas who are in the same situation as you! Awake at 3 am, again?! The mums will understand. Recommendations for baby-wearing? The mums will have advice. Desperate for the toilet but trapped by a sleeping baby? They’ll give you sympathy! Aside from the never-ending supply of sympathy and advice, the other advantage is the cute playdates you’ll be able to organise, and watching your little ones grow up together!
4. Get outside
We know. You’ve got poop, vomit and milk everywhere, haven’t showered in three days, it hurts to walk, and you’re running on 3 hours of sleep if you’re lucky. No matter how awful you feel, we guarantee you 100% that if you get outside, even for a 10 minute walk around the block, you will feel better. There’s something about getting out of your little cocoon and venturing into the big wide world with your little newborn that just makes everything shine a little brighter, and makes you feel just a little bit better when everything seems too much.
5. Have a comfy place to sit
Newborns have literally zero idea of acceptable sleeping habits, and we guarantee you will find yourself awake at all hours of the day and night. Do not underestimate the power of a comfy sofa or seat to sit on! If you’re lucky enough to get yourself a nursing chair,definitely go for it, however, a nice comfy sofa with plenty of cushions to prop up your back is all you need. When you’re trapped by a sleeping or nursing baby, having a book or magazine, some snacks and a phone charger all within arms reach will be an absolute lifesaver.
In short, no matter how much planning and thought you put into it, NOTHING can really prepare you for those first few weeks with a newborn. However, with the right expectations, a good support system, and a few tips along the way, you’ll be able to throw yourself into this messy, chaotic, glorious period of your life and survive, relatively unscathed.
