| It is 2:00am and your baby is up, wide awake, | | | | slightest bit easier. A hands-free headset for you |
| and wants to play. You on the other hand are | | | | phone can allow you to give your baby what he |
| exhausted and ready for some much needed | | | | she might need, while keeping in touch with the |
| rest. Before your baby came along you could | | | | outside world. Something that is important for our |
| focus on just you, and taking care of the things | | | | mental health. |
| you needed to get done. Now, you have a | | | | 6. Baskets, baskets and more baskets. A basket |
| precious little one who requires lots of love, | | | | can look glamorous while also being a great way |
| attention and depends on you to take care of | | | | to gather things like, books, toys and baby |
| them, even at 2:00am. Tired, exhausted and | | | | bedding. Putting a "catch-all" basket in a high traffic |
| overwhelmed are not uncommon feelings. As a | | | | area of the house can be a great tool to catch |
| mother of two beautiful boys, I remember those | | | | items that belong elsewhere. Rather than return |
| feelings well. Your heart is full of love, but your | | | | each item one at a time, you can gather all the |
| body cannot keep up! Here are 10 tips to help | | | | items and return them in the same trip. |
| you new moms keep your sanity: | | | | 7. Get a Planner.A planner, digital or hand-written, |
| | | | will allow you keep track of doctors' |
| 1. Sleep. All the baby books you have read say | | | | appointments, play dates and even a much |
| this, but let me reemphasize, you need to rest | | | | needed night out with your girlfriends. |
| when your baby is resting. Not only will you feel | | | | 8. Filing system. If you did not create a file for |
| recharged, but taking care of yourself will help | | | | yourself and baby prior to delivering, now is the |
| you take better care of your baby. Plus, you will | | | | time to do it. It is important to keep track of all |
| have an easier time accomplishing anything if you | | | | the medical information for both you and the |
| are not a zombie. | | | | baby and setting up a file for each of you is an |
| 2. Take care of you. This is in addition to getting | | | | excellent way to do this. |
| sleep whenever possible. Schedule time for | | | | 9. Feeding station. My definition of a "feeding |
| yourself daily. This may include getting a shower, | | | | station" is the place where you most likely, and |
| going for a walk, meditating, or just reading some | | | | more often will be feeding your little one. Put the |
| of your favorite book. It is extremely important | | | | things in this area that you will need/want during |
| to not forget yourself during this time, difficult as | | | | the time you will be feeding your child. Possible |
| that may sound, you will feel stronger and more | | | | things to make sure are in the area: burp rag, |
| ready to take on anything if you are taking care | | | | feeding pillow, glass of water, good book |
| of yourself. | | | | magazine, phone, blanket, etc. This is a collection |
| 3. Plan your meals. You must plan ahead what you | | | | of things that will help make you and baby more |
| are going to eat. We tend to make quick (often | | | | comfortable during this time. |
| poor) decisions on meals when we leave that | | | | 10. Write it down. Any thoughts, ideas, dreams |
| decision until the last minute. Prep salads, veggies, | | | | that cross your mind, write them down. We are |
| fruits ahead of time for a quick snack. Make | | | | so focused on our little one that the great |
| larger quantities of meals you enjoy and freeze | | | | thought we have one minute will quickly disappear |
| them. | | | | and quite possibly not return. Many call this |
| 4. Stock the diaper bag. If you check the diaper | | | | "Mommy Brain". |
| bag (and refill) on a regular basis you do not want | | | | Make sure to keep things simple; simple meals, |
| find yourself stranded without any diapers or | | | | simple days, and simple expectations. Enjoy every |
| wipes. | | | | second, even the ones where you can barely |
| 5. Hands-free calling. A new mom should use any | | | | keep your eyes open! |
| resources available that can make things even the | | | | |