Today’s guest post is from Rachael (Ray) from Lukeosaurus And Me. She’s 23, from Hampshire and lives with her 21 month old son, Luke. She likes to read a lot, keep goldfish, enjoys photography, creating new goals and projects and wants the most from life. Her blog is an absolute must read so please stop by and say hello!
5 things to keep you sane when you have a newborn
Congratulations, you’ve had a beautiful baby, he/she is gorgeous and turns the heads of even the grumpiest of old men. Everyone wants to come round and have cuddles and coo, but those long nights are starting to get to you, your baby brain is all fuzzy and you’re starting to feel a little bit trapped? Fear not! I found myself starting to go a little bit gaga after I gave birth to my son, Luke, and I needed to do something to stop me from going completely insane! There are 5 key things that managed to just about get me through the first month or so, before things started to calm down slightly. Here are my top 5 tips to keep you sane after having a baby.
1. Turn The TV On.
After having Luke, I didn’t turn the TV on for weeks. Rookie mistake. I felt like I didn’t have the time to watch anything and it was definitely too early to have CBeebies on. I was also constantly being bombarded with friends and family asking to see the baby and have cuddles and copious amounts of tea. Yep, I thought there was definitely no time for TV! But, when you’re at home on your own, everyone has left, the baby is asleep or lying peacefully in your arms – PUT THE TV ON! I discovered a deep love for ITV’s This Morning and I used to watch it religiously every day. I also found that waking up at the crack of dawn made sure I was well versed in current affairs. I’d watch avidly as I sipped 1 hour old cold coffee and rocked back and forth a bit like a zombie.
Even if you’re doing bits and bobs, playing with your baby, I can’t even begin to tell you how good it is to have the TV on in the background. A bit of background noise will stop you from going stir crazy, I promise.
2. Say yes to people coming over, but on one condition…
After giving birth, moving is difficult, sleeping is a no go and finding the time to keep up with shopping and household chores is just impossible. Besides, even if you did actually manage to find the time to hang your washing up or have a good old vacuum, you’ll find so many people want to just “pop by” with things for the baby (adding to the huge pile of gifts in the corner that’s making the place look even more untidy!) – eventually things start piling up!
I decided to implement a strict rule: if you want to come round, you have to be helpful! I had my best friend at the time changing nappies, Luke’s father’s step mother was washing up and people even offered to hang my washing up for me. All this in return for a cuddle with little newborn Luke. The best part of all this? When Luke was finally asleep and guests had left, I was able to sit down, have a HOT cup of coffee and RELAX.
3. Don’t listen to unwanted parenting advice.
Whether you’re a first time mum or an “experienced parent” (stupid term if you ask me, every child is different!) you WILL be slapped in the face with unwanted parenting advice. Sometimes it will be the complete opposite of anything you would ever consider and it’s very hard not to retaliate and (bearing in mind the raging hormones) punch said advice giver in the face. But, unfortunately, that would have repercussions (especially with say, your mother-in-law! Eek!) and so you have to adopt a calmer approach. If you’re told what or how you should do something relating to your little one, don’t punch people in the face (i’m telling you, it’s tempting!) but instead smile and nod. Don’t agree or disagree. Just say okay. Obviously, whatever they say, you don’t have to do. You’re the babe’s mother and you know best!
4. Take A Shower.
It may seem obvious and I am pretty sure that you’re ordered to shower every day anyway by the midwife, but having a shower is a sure fire way to feel refreshed, calmer and ready for the day. After another sleepless night, you’ll feel groggy; after changing new born baby poop, you’ll feel a bit icky…jump in the shower for ten minutes and release your inner goddess. Ask your partner or someone to keep and eye on your little one, or bring the bouncer into the bathroom and sing and talk to your baby while you shower.
5. Get outside.
Lots of people swear by immediately joining every baby group they can find and filling their entire week up with activities for every hour of every day. If that works for you, that’s great! But what I found really helped me was going for a walk. Getting outside and just going for a gentle stroll. It didn’t have to be anywhere in particular. I used to have a lovely relaxed walk around town, or maybe go for a walk through the park if the weather was nice.
You could try inviting a friend – my best friend at the time couldn’t get enough of seeing Luke and was more than happy to meet up and do anything if it meant she could coo over him. Walking clears your head, gets you out of the house so you’re not staring at the same four walls and best of all, it’s a good way to work off some of that baby weight.
I really hope that with these tips you can at least remain slightly sane! I can’t guarantee that turning the TV on will bring you hours of happiness, or that your friends will be as willing to hang your granny pants up on the line for you, but hopefully some of the above will at least come in handy! Don’t forget to enjoy every moment of your newborn’s life! I know it’s corny and has been said to you a million times, but they really do grow up fast. Writing this has bought back a huge flood of memories from when Luke (now 21 months!!!) was a little helpless new born. Embrace the emotions, good and bad, and enjoy parenthood…because they don’t stay that little for long!
Note from Jade:
I couldn’t agree more. All of them are a reminder of what the ‘real’ world is like, rather than the ‘living with a newborn’ life and it’s the little things like this that help keep us sane! Well it did me anyway.. It’s good to get out of the house, it’s good to just take a shower, it’s good that people come over. You don’t have to turn in the Mombie Zombie for the rest of your days.
You can find Ray on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin and Pinterest! I really hoped you enjoyed reading this post as much as I did.. especially as I’m back here with baby number two.. xx