You’ve heard it before, when it comes to kids– time flies! So, whether you’re holding that new baby in your arms or waiting patiently to meet him/her, you know you want to enjoy these first 2 weeks with your newborn!
It’s completely normal to feel a little overwhelmed when you bring your baby home for the first time.

Here are a few tips to help you adjust from a New Richmond, WI mom:

Plan to give yourself plenty of time to adjust
Be patient with yourself. It takes time to get used to having a baby around, and there will be good days and bad days. Don’t expect everything to be perfect all the time, and cut yourself some slack if things don’t go according to plan. If you’re anything like me, after a couple of days laying around you’ll want to be productive…. But resist! Your body and your baby need this time not to do much of anything. It’s ok not to do much during these 2 weeks – enjoy! Taking care of your new babe is productive. You are feeding, changing, holding, and bonding with your new child, this is extremely productive.

You’ve heard it before (and for good reason) take naps when the baby does!
You might be exhausted from all the late-night feedings, but it’s important to listen to your body and take a nap when you can. Your body is going through a lot of changes, so it needs all the rest it can get. This becomes harder if this is your second or more child. Take advantage of having visitors. Ask them if they can watch your little ones for even 20 minutes so you can rest your eyes. You’ll be amazed at how refreshing and recharging this can be for you.

Make time for yourself (even if it’s just 10-15 minutes a day)
Whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, or just taking a walk around the block, find something that helps you relax and rejuvenate. It doesn’t have to be anything big, but carving out some “me” time will help you feel more balanced and better able to handle everything that comes with being a parent. I know it’s hard. I have a four-year-old on the spectrum and a two-year-old and I am still trying to practice this and make it part of my daily routine. Here are a few questions to ask yourself if you’re having a hard time coming up with something to do for “you” time:

What did you enjoy doing pre-baby? How can you do a little of that each day?
If you could do anything for 1 hour, what would it be?
What’s something you’ve saved on Pinterest or Instagram that you could do?

Ask for help!
One of the best things you can do is to ask for help from your friends and family. They want to help, they really do, but sometimes they don’t know how. So here are a few suggestions:

• Ask them to come over and just hold the baby while you take a shower or take a nap. It’s incredible how rejuvenating even a short break can be.
• See if they can do some light housekeeping or laundry for you. Again, even a little bit of help can make a big difference.
• If they live close by, ask if they can come over for regular visits to give you a break. An hour or two to yourself can work wonders.
  -ask your partner, parents, or in-laws to do some of the nighttime feedings. This may mean you will need to prepare by pumping or filling in with formula if you need.
  -let people know what times of day are most difficult for you, and see if someone can come over to lend a hand during those times
  Of course, every family is different and you know what will work best for you. But don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Your friends and family are there for you and want to support you in any way they can.
• Please reach out to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing baby blues. In the depths of becoming a parent, I didn’t realize I was experiencing post-partum depression until I was in the middle of a breakdown while on the phone with my sister. She gently brought it up and I was so thankful. I went to the ER immediately and got the help I needed. I was so focused on my babes that I had forgotten about myself.

Take some time to just stare at your baby. They are so incredibly perfect and you will never be this close to them again. Soak in every little detail. By taking advantage of the help that is available to you and by giving yourself time to adjust, you can enjoy your newborn’s first two weeks. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child and you don’t have to do it all alone!