I recently welcomed my fourth baby, and the resounding comment from friends, family, and strangers has been, “Oh, you’re an ole pro!” I laugh every time because when I think about my journey as a mom, a “pro” isn’t how I would classify myself. The deeper I get into motherhood, the more I stumble, flounder, and feel like I know way less than I did the time before. BUT I will say I’m learning to let go of more and that most of the things we worry about as moms, in the long run, simply DO NOT MATTER. That being said, I cobbled together a few nuggets I found to be helpful in this latest chapter of my motherhood journey. I hope they’re helpful to you, too!
- The “One Thing A Day” Rule: For the first month after we welcomed baby, I restricted myself to doing one thing per day (in addition to caring for baby and spending time with my other kids), whether that be an outing with a child, grocery pickup, post office run, doing/folding laundry, etc. This made such a difference in how I felt mentally postpartum! Allowing myself the space to do not much of anything except enjoy my baby really helped with the transition.
- Scour Your Neighborhood Free Group for Maternity Clothes: When I started to show earlier in this pregnancy, I knew it was time to start the search for some new maternity clothes. I started adding items to my online cart (Amazon, Gap, Old Navy, Loft are a few favorites) when I suddenly saw a post from a mom in my local free group who was giving away a massive haul of maternity clothes. What?! How did I get so lucky? I replied quickly claiming the bag and was the owner by day’s end of some maternity staples, all in excellent shape. Talk about a gift! I did send her a gift card as a thank you because it was such a win! Look in your local free group, and if you’re not part of one, join today OR consider starting your own!
- Use the Hospital Nursery: I realize some might come after me for saying this, but I’ll say it anyway. Use the hospital nursery to your advantage! This was a game changer for me in terms of standing a fighting chance of not being too behind on sleep when it was time to return from the hospital. You’re not losing extra bonding time with baby, and not to worry, they will bring baby back quickly if it’s time for them to eat or if they’re inconsolable!
- Silverettes are a GAME CHANGER: If you’re planning on breastfeeding at some point, make sure you add silverettes to your list of breastfeeding supplies. The experts say nursing isn’t supposed to hurt, but I’ve nursed four babies now and have had discomfort at the beginning each time. It’s always improved by the week mark. But silverettes are a GREAT tool to help get over the initial discomfort. Target has a great dupe that’s available at a fraction of the price!
- Book a Babymoon for your Second Trimester: If you decide to do a babymoon, book it during your second trimester. We took a babymoon later in my third trimester with my third baby, and I was miserable the entire time. This time, we took a quick trip away in my second trimester and I was much more comfortable, mobile, and had much more energy!
- Pre-baby Dates with Older Siblings: About two months before baby was born, I told my three children that they could pick one thing to do with me one-on-one, whether that was an ice cream date, movie, trip to the pool, etc. Ironically, they all chose Swing-Around-Fun town, so we made a family day out of it, and they each chose one activity they could do with me there. It was too much fun!
- Easy Food is King: Pre-prepared food has been a lifesaver when I have a spouse gone some evenings, I’m trying to break up squabbles between my three older kids, and the baby gets fussy all around the same time! Fit-Flavor meals freeze VERY well and are healthy and nutritious. And a local mom-owned business! Time for Dinner is another local meal prep business that offers an incredible promotion for new moms where you can pick up pre-prepared meals that simply need to be heated up. My kids LOVE their recipes! And guess what? Mom-owned, too!
- Book Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Right Away: I started doing pelvic floor physical therapy with my first baby, and it has been a game changer for helping reestablish my physical strength post-delivery! We have some incredible pelvic floor PT resources locally, I personally recommend Legacy Physical Therapy. However, consult with your OB-GYN and see who they’d recommend, too! Pelvic floor PT typically begins after 6 weeks postpartum.
- August Babies are a Mixed Bag: Obviously, we don’t always have a choice of which seasons of the year we’ll be pregnant in. Being in the final days of pregnancy in the peak of St. Louis summer was about as brutal as I expected it to be, BUT it was so helpful to have the bigger kids head off to school right as I was heading home with the baby. Just something to bear in mind if timing is important to you!
- Resign Yourself to Asking For or Accepting Help: I’m finally to a point in motherhood where I have accepted I can’t do this on my own and need help! The sooner you can come to this conclusion for yourself, I promise your joy in motherhood will increase. We have to help each other along the way! And I also promise the day will come when you’re sleeping through the night, have increased mental capacity, and will be ready to pay it forward to a fellow mom in need.
