6 Things to Schedule That Will Make Life So Much Easier as a New Mom
The minute you arrive home with your little one, you’ll likely have friends and family knocking on your door, casseroles in hand. And when you have your hands full with a newborn, you’ll be thankful for every morsel.
However, you’ll find it’s most helpful to have those meals spread out over a couple of weeks. If a friend or family member asks what they can do to help, see if they’re willing to put together a Meal Train for you, so others can sign up for particular times and days to drop off a meal. Or, they can just send out a group email with slots to fill.
And for those in-between days? If you like to cook, prepare a few batches of freezer-friendly meals, like lasagna, chili, or enchiladas, that you can easily reheat in the oven when you need a quick dinner.
2. Time for You
When you’re in the thick of the newborn phase, self-care often takes a back seat. So before things get crazy, it’s important to figure out how you’ll carve out some time for yourself.
Maybe that simply means asking your significant other to take over baby duty every Saturday morning for a couple of hours, while you enjoy a latte at a nearby coffee shop. Or maybe you ask your best friend to stop by every Wednesday evening to hold the baby while you take a long shower and paint your nails. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate—just some time that lets you feel like you again.
Amazon Prime will be your BFF in those sleep-deprived newborn days. Forget running to the store—a couple of clicks can get you a package of diapers in one day (or sooner, depending on where you live).
But you can also go one step further and avoid the whole “forgetting” part by setting up automatic deliveries through the Subscribe & Save option. Go ahead and set yourself up to receive boxes of diapers (and wipes, formula, and other necessities) on a recurring basis. Bonus: If you subscribe to multiple items, you get a discount.
Between taking care of a new baby, hosting friends and family, and your physical recovery, those first few weeks will be a whirlwind of activity—and the last thing you’ll want (or be able) to do is clean. Instead, schedule a house cleaning for sometime during those first few weeks.
Not in the budget? You don’t have to hire a professional cleaner—like we mentioned, your friends and family will be eager to help. Take them up on their generous offers and schedule them for some simple household tasks: washing dishes, cleaning up after your in-laws leave, or folding laundry. That way, everyone will have their marching orders once your little one arrives.
You may not know exactly when your little one will make his or her arrival, but you can—and should—go ahead and reach out to a photographer to take newborn photos. In fact, if you wait until after your baby is born, many photographers may be fully booked, so it’s best to schedule your session ahead of the birth. Most photographers will book you within a general timeframe but will allow for some flexibility if you deliver early or late.
You can also browse through Chatbooks’ baby cards and pick your favorite now. Then, all you’ll have to do once you have your photos is drop them in and place your order.
Expert help can be a lifesaver when you feel overwhelmed. Consider looking into and scheduling a lactation consultant, sleep consultant, or postpartum doula during those first few weeks following your baby’s arrival. They can answer questions, help you troubleshoot issues you’re experiencing, and generally lend support and encouragement.
Postpartum doulas, in particular, can go above and beyond to help you transition into your new normal. Beyond offering help with infant care, they can also run errands, help cook, and even stay overnight to allow you to get some rest.
The arrival of your little one will be an exciting time, and you should be able to soak it all in. By getting these things off your plate now, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the newborn phase—even in those wee hours of the morning.
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