With our 6th baby due next month, I wanted to share some Postpartum Prep Ideas. Each new baby has taught me something different in the weeks postpartum. This knowledge has helped me in future seasons of postpartum care. The time with your newborn is so short and sweet that I always desire to make the most of it before it is over. If you are wondering how to best care for yourself and a newborn postpartum then keep reading for some Postpartum Prep Ideas.
Plan to Relax for Two Weeks OR More Postpartum
If you are able, clear your calendar and use the time to rest and relax. Care for your health and bond with your baby. Your body is healing from birth while also trying to nourish your newborn. This can be VERY exhausting. Add to the mix being up numerous times in the night, and you can become overtired and grouchy very easily. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Eating foods that will replenish your body, and nap when the baby naps. Even if you feel great a few days after birth still be mindful of taking it easy.
There have been times, Sam and I haven’t told anyone a baby had been born until a few days later. This way we and the kids can enjoy those sweet first few days before family and friends comes over. Now this is definitely easier when you don’t live near family. For this baby, Sam and I are planning on seeing when labor starts. From there we will go about our day and let others know of his arrival a few hours postpartum.
Ask Your Husband OR Family for Help
Don’t worry about what the house looks like. In the weeks to follow when you feel more like yourself slowly work to get things back in order. Also don’t hesitate to ask your husband for help. If you don’t feel up to having company over, then DON’T. Caring for yourself and your baby is your first priority. Don’t worry about other’s feelings if they can’t come over and hold a baby or socialize during the first few weeks after birth. Let your husband run interference here so you don’t have to.
Sam will be taking two weeks off postpartum so he can care for the older 5 kids. This will allow me to focus on my health and caring for Baby Boy. After that time, my parents will be coming over to help with the kids. Then I can continue to relax and rest thus making my transition into life with 6 kids much smoother in the weeks to come.
Make OR Buy Freezer Meals
Preparing some meals ahead of time will not only guarantee healthy meals for Mama postpartum. It will help Dad worry about one less thing as he is caring for the family. Keeping the basic house chores running smoothly. Or running interference with company those first few weeks. Also purchase gift cards ahead of time or list some on your Baby Registry. These will come in handy on the days no one wants to bother with preparing food.
I am planning on making some homemade meals to freeze. In addition to having some easy items on hand. Such as Frozen Pizza, Hotdogs and Buns, Chicken Nuggets and Mac & Cheese. These will make easy dinners for Sam to prepare for the kids on the days he is too tired to bother making anything. With our Baby being due around the holidays we will also be asking for food gift cards as Christmas Gifts for additional easy meals for dinner.
Buy Postpartum Products for Mama
Everyone always focuses on the newborn and rarely takes the new Mama into consideration. Sure, everyone knows she just had a baby. Her body is all out of whack, and she may be VERY tired, but “You gotta see the baby”. Take some time and purchase some needs and wants for yourself postpartum. This may include Disposable Underwear. Snacks for nursing. Magazines OR Books to read while nursing. Comfy new PJs. A pretty bouquet of Flowers. Consider making over your Bedroom or sprucing up the Livingroom as you will be relaxing in those spaces a lot postpartum.
This time around we chose to paint our bedroom a fun new color and add some new throw pillows to the bed. Now our room is a fun and relaxing space for when I am resting postpartum. I will also be purchasing some snacks for nursing and new nursing shirts. My daughter and I are planning on visiting a local bookstore a few weeks before baby’s arrival. We will be stocking up on books for myself and the kids to read postpartum. We love to read aloud as a family, and this is a very easy for me to do with the older kids while also holding a baby. Check out Fun Read Alouds for Ages 10 and Younger for a list of our family’s favorites read aloud books.
Do you have any Postpartum Prep Ideas for New Mothers?
Please share them in the comments. OR if you are curious for more ideas on how to Prepare for Baby, then check out my Helpful Pregnancy Checklist by Trimester.
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