10 tips before giving birth to make life easier afterwards
A minimum ofanticipation andorganisation, in the face of the tsunami of love, hormones and fatigue that the arrival of a child in the home represents, can simply save you from any tension, tears or even a tragic transformation in zombie mode #thriller.
Aaah the birth. The D-Day, the Time-T, the long awaited and - a little or even a lot - dreaded moment, the one from which everything will change. Yes, everything! Including your little habits with regards to the organisation of life at home. We have no doubt that as a modern couple based on an egalitarian relationship - if you're reading this article as a duo, now is the time to give your partner a sidelong glance and an insistent smile -you've quite naturally divided up the household chores and other joys that add so much glamour to your life together. Nevertheless, we'll take the liberty of giving you some advice from wise men (meaning women who have already been through it) and other good tips to make your life easier and to allow you, once you're back from the maternity ward, to make the most of your insomniac marvel who has a soprano voice.
Tips from Milk Away mums
1) You will prepare your nursing clothes
Simply to avoid the obstacle course of going shopping in a hurry with a barely born baby. We therefore advise you to make yourself comfortable (preferably with your bank card, which you have taken care to increase the ceiling ...) and to offer you a small online shopping session (which will prevent your water from breaking while trying on clothes). The watchwords: practical, comfortable and stylish. All Milk Away in short, because being a cool mum is a choice. In fact, take a break right now, you deserve it. And happiness is just a click away: discover theeshop Milk Away.
2) You will fill your freezer
As a reminder, eating is a vital need. We take the liberty of pointing this out because the first few days with baby often go by at the speed of light and you regularly find yourself past 21 hours without having eaten anything yet (incidentally, not showered either, but we'll come back to that). It is therefore better to stock up on small dishes so that you only have to start the oven once the child is under control. Especially since it is important to eat a balanced diet to promote the production of sufficient quality milk (we'll come back to that later).
3) You will call your friends/family... or not!
They all say it: "If you need help, don't hesitate". Well, don't hesitate! We consult our friends and family in advance to find out what they're willing to do and when they're available, and we plan back-ups. After all, even SuperWoman needs a helping hand from time to time. If, on the contrary, you prefer to have some peace and limit the number of visits, you don't embarrass yourself and you say it clearly, with a smile, and without fear of offending anyone. Those who have not yet become parents will understand later and for the others, they will have to deal with it. Stay cool, mum, otherwise we'll say bye bye!
4) You will delegate cleaning tasks
Since we don't have the Snow White or Mary Poppins' gift to get the job done in no time, we seriously consider getting help with this aspect, especially if we are a Mrs. Clean at heart. As crazy as it may sound, given their small size and inability to move around on their own, babies have this amazing ability to turn a house upside down in just a few hours. So if you're obsessed with dishes piling up in the sink, laundry piling up on the floor, and dust flying around with every step, consider hiring a housekeeper, family members or friends, and of course, Super Dad ... or go and live in a hotel.
5) You will stock up on your medicine cabinet
This is important because it can clearly avoid a stressful (and unnecessary) visit to the emergency room on a Sunday in the middle of the night. Because yes, it's always on weekends and the eve of public holidays that the wonderful child gets sick, otherwise it would be too easy to be a parent, right? In short, before leaving the maternity ward, we ask a midwife or a paediatrician for advice and we put together a basic pharmacy for baby (thermometer, suppository, physiological serum, nasal spray, moisturising oil, diaper cream, healing cream, etc.) but also for the breastfeeding mother.) but also for the breastfeeding and post-partum mother (nipple cream, compresses, pads or shells, painkillers, ultra-absorbent panties and sanitary towels (in real life, it's just like Pampers for adults and a bed sheet for the journey etc.). In short, it's all glam!
6) You will foresee administrative matters
You should take the trouble to find out from the administrative centre of your place of residence, or your embassy if you are an expat, whether certain legal procedures can be carried out before the birth, such as, for example, an early recognition of the child or a passport application. After giving birth, you rarely want to spend the morning standing in line with a baby a few weeks old at your arm or breast.
7) You will keep up with your sleep
Let's be clear and concise: naps are life! Whenever the opportunity arises, close your eyes. If baby takes a nap, forget about the housework and shopping (see points 2 and 4) and go and imitate him. If you have designed a model without this precious option, you can regularly ask someone to come and look after him and you can dive into the arms of Morpheus with a light heart. Especially since sleep plays an important role in the success ofbreastfeeding. In fact, a rested mother will produce more milk than a mother who is at the end of her rope. For the record, sleep deprivation is used as a means of torture under some political regimes. It drives people crazy. So we don't do it to ourselves.
8) You will shower
You don't smile and say "yeah, well, it's not that bad! ». In the end, it seems as obvious as thinking about eating, and yet, the testimonies are unanimous and the excuses often sought: "No, my hair is not greasy! I'm trying out the wet look trend". The options are as follows: either you arrange to have someone look after the little person who is monopolising your arms and all your time (this is the ideal time to make friends with the neighbours next door and offer them a break, aka a 15-minute coffee trap every morning), or you provide a cushion, a relaxer or some other secure support and put baby in front of a play in which you are the main actress, and at the same time, you give up any hint of privacy for the months to come. At least you smell good! It's also a good idea to invest in a large stock of dry shampoos...
9) You will book your medical appointments
We do everything we can in advance to avoid incessant phone calls from the first hours back at home. We think about government childcare structures, we organise for a midwife to come to our home if necessary, we book a breastfeeding specialist, the first appointment with the paediatrician but also the post-natal physiotherapy sessions (ultra important) and the post-delivery follow-up appointment with the gynaecologist. We take the time to get back on our feet, to be a good student and to practice our physiotherapy exercises assiduously to re-strengthen our perineum, because our well-being and health depend on it in the long term.
10) You will take time for yourself
As often as you need to and without an ounce of guilt. When you become a parent, you don't give up on being yourself and having fun, just like you used to. You merely organise your time differently. Easier said than done? Yes, especially at the beginning when you feel overwhelmed by the whirlwind of new things and when you have to go back to work, when you have a company to run, employees to manage and colleagues to supervise. In order to be a mum entrepreneur who feels good in her head and in her shoes, you have to set time aside for sport, massage, cinema, drinks with friends or with your partner or each to their own. You take control of your happiness because a happy parent makes a happy child.
All you have to do is get out the To Do List and the agendas! We swear it's worth it.
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