5 tips to help you thrive in the newborn bubble
Congratulations! Baby is here! You’re home and you don’t know what day it is… Here’s 5 things that can help you thrive in that newborn bubble
Protect your zone - it’s perfectly fine to decline visitors in the early days or weeks. I always suggest discussing this with your partner ahead of baby’s arrival so you’re on the same page. Or you may want visitors but want to be clear on boundaries - say, setting time limits, others not holding or kissing the baby etc. Again, discuss this before the madness of newborn life and maybe put the request in a message rather than saying it face to face. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, NEVER LET YOUR IN-LAWS COME TO STAY WITH YOU!! I’m sure there are exceptions to this rule, but I’ve not one yet…..
Accept help, not company - love this one! If your friends already have babies, they know the drill - visitors should be arriving with helpful things (frozen food, snacks, clean laundry) and making their own cup of tea (And yours!). If someone messages you to offer their help - accept it and be clear what you’d like - “we’d love to see you, it would be amazing if you could grab some sandwiches on the way and we could eat lunch together?”. People WANT to help - and if they don’t, then we don’t want them near your baby :)
Lower your standards - there’s no way you, the baby and the house will be clean at the same time. Pick one (maybe two, after the fourth trimester!). You honestly won’t care or remember in 6 months time. Having a 4 week old baby is nothing like having a 4 year old child. You’ll wear make up and wash your hair again, I promise.
Use your hypnobirthing techniques - calm breathing, relaxation, audio tracks, affirmations - they are all great things to continue to use to build a positive mindset in the often challenging newborn life.
Remember your partner is not the enemy (but they also don’t get a ‘get out of jail free’ card) - you’re a team, but that means everyone needs to be pulling their weight! Being clear from the outset that this is a joint endeavour, and making sure they are equally capable at things like laundry, changing nappies, knowing where the baby stuff is, sets the standard for the years to come. Weaponised incompetence, WE DON’T KNOW HER!
