Preparation is key to alleviate stress postpartum.
Bringing home a newborn baby can be intimidating, to say the least. I am thankful to live in the age of the internet with a wealth of information at my fingertips at all times. On the other hand, if you asked any Mom out there what she has more than enough of, she is likely to answer “unsolicited advice.” With that in mind, I want to share with you what I am doing in preparation to bring home my second baby. No affiliate links, no sponsors, no ulterior motives. Just a Mom in the thick of it sharing what works for me in hopes of helping someone in a similar position.
If I learned anything after my first baby, it was that I spent way too much time preparing for labor and delivery and not enough time preparing for postpartum – and by not enough time, I mean – no time. As I prepare to bring home my second child, I am focusing on doing things that will make my postpartum experience smoother.
As excited as I am to be having another baby, I fear the fourth trimester because of the rocky experience I had after my first child. I deal with anxiety and overwhelm by list-making and preparation. My to-do list is a fluid compilation of things meant to nurture my mind, body, and spirit, as well as prep work to alleviate some of the pressure of managing a household during my postpartum recovery. When I get free time, I look at my list and ask myself “What can I get done in the next 20 minutes?” or “What can I delegate?” or “What can I start working on this week?”. Setting timers prevents me from looking at a long list, telling myself I’ll never get any of it done, and then doing nothing because I’m too overwhelmed.
Preparing the Household
If meal planning, grocery shopping, and preparing food is a stressor for you like it is me, you may benefit from preparing freezer meals to have at the ready during your postpartum recovery. I take preparing freezer meals very seriously because it was such a lifesaver for me after my first baby, and it saves me from spending too much money on takeout. Some of my favorite breakfasts to prepare are ready to blend, just add milk individual smoothies in baggies, french toast, breakfast burritos or sandwiches, egg casseroles,and chocolate chip oatmeal muffins. My favorite freezer dinners were red sauce pastas, meatloaf, chicken soup, taco chicken with cilantro-lime rice, chicken breasts or thighs with a few different types of marinade, and taco-style vegetables and quinoa. I made a few side dishes like roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes to accompany different meals.
A few helpful tips if you choose freezer meal prep:
- Only freezer prep meals you have made before, enjoy, and know freeze well.
- Start your stash by making double of a meal you already plan on having for dinner this week.
- The freezer meals I prepared kept fresh for about three months.
- I have changed my mindset about what constitutes a “healthy meal” – it may not be a freshly chopped salad and garden-fresh corn on the cob, but a bag of instant mashed potatoes and a can of green beans or frozen veggies are nourishing foods, too. So is frozen pizza …
There will be no elaborate nursery perfectly curated and decorated this time – but her clothes are washed and sorted into their respective places in the closet. I have also washed the covers for the baby swing and bouncer and re-assembled them. Another helpful tool I use during the newborn phase is a three-tiered, wheeled utility cart. The top tier houses everything I need for nursing or feeding the baby and a snack basket for myself. The second tier holds diapers, wipes, and butt cream. The third tier stocks burp clothes, changes of clothing, a receiving blanket, and miscellaneous toys. I wheel it around the house with me and use it as I need.
Nourishing My Mind, Body, and Spirit
My partner and I learned after our first child that clear, direct, and open communication is imperative during the fourth trimester. Asking for things that I need directly without expecting him to read my mind is essential. Being honest about my mood and how I’m feeling, no matter how scary it is to admit, is also key to nourishing my postpartum mind and spirit. This line of communication starts before the pee is dried on the test stick— if I am feeling it, I say it, without feeling worried about complaining too much or being a burden.
Make a list of things that family or friends can do for you, that way when they text you and you’re too tired to see straight, you don’t just default to “we’re okay, but thanks.” Drop a meal off, do some laundry, take your older child to the park, or stop by (for a designated amount of time) so you can shower or nap. If you don’t have close friends or family and you have the financial means, reach out to a postpartum doula or overnight nurse to help. If that isn’t an option, there are local Mom groups on Facebook that I have become a part of that provide a sense of community and charity. You may be surprised what kind of help you can get if you just ask.
I have all of the items I need to care for my postpartum body prepared and set up in their respective areas around the house. For me, I like to create a postpartum basket for the bathroom that includes wet wipes, a perineal spray bottle, Tuck’s pads, extra pads, and underwear— as well as any over-the-counter-medications I may need. Previously, I made homemade “padsicles,” but you can save yourself some time and purchase them at the store instead if you wish. I am cleaning out my closet and dresser now and only leaving behind clothing that is postpartum-friendly.
Every pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience is different. As with all motherhood advice, I encourage you to take what you need and leave what you don’t. Perhaps the most important part of all of this is simply making it known to those around you that YOU, the birthing person, need to be cared for and considered just as much as the new baby. If you have any questions on the details of my preparation, feel free to reach out!
