Being a new mom is amazing, but it can come with the anxiety of the unknown and the stress of being overwhelmed. Sometimes all it takes is a little planning and organizational strategies to stay confident, calm and collected. Here are some tips:
1. Establish a Routine
When babies are first born they don’t really do much more than sleep, eat, poop and repeat. This can get tedious, but the predictability can be quite rewarding. Try to track your baby’s behavior each day to look for patterns. This will open doors to get baby on a schedule once he/she is old enough. Scheduling sounds like a lot of work, but it actually is the most beneficial for mom. It allows you to plan your day around naps and feedings so that you are not housebound and your baby gains a sense of routine. The “EASY” method is great: eat, activity, sleep, you time, but find the routine that works best for you and your baby and try to keep it consistent. Predictability is key.
2. Create a Weekly To-Do List/Calendar
The best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed is taking it one day at a time. Creating a to-do list each week helps you manage your responsibilities so you can plan accordingly. Use a calendar to keep track of personal obligations, errands, baby appointments, etc. Before bed each night, review what you have coming up the next day so you know what to expect and how to prepare.
3. Embrace Baby’s Down Time
Any parent knows that when the baby is awake, they require a lot of attention, which leaves little room to get much done. When baby is asleep for the night (or some of it), devote time to plan for the next day to give yourself a head start in the morning. Make sure your diaper bag is stocked with the necessities, clean out your stroller, put out your clothes and the baby’s things for the next day. All of these steps will save you that precious time and get you out the door. It will give you more time to spend with your baby as well. Never rely on getting anything done when your baby is awake.
4. Get Out
This is essential for a new mom. It is so easy to stay in your pajamas all day and just nurse, nap, etc. Many experts tell you to “nap when the baby naps” and if that suits you well, then great. If you find that you have the energy, nap time is a great time to prepare for your next move. Do whatever it takes to get out of the house at least once a day. Pack the stroller, take a quick shower, and go once the baby is changed, fed, and rested. Take a walk to your local park, sit at a café with another mom or run some errands. Light exposure is essential to keep your mood elevated and socialization will help you feel less isolated. We all know it is easier to stay in then go out with a baby, but at the end of the day you’ll be happy you did.
5. “Me Time”
This one is often overlooked, but is so important! We focus so much on the baby that we forget about us! It is easy to only see ourselves as moms once we have kids, but remembering who we are and what we love to do is an important part of being good moms. Try to carve out “me time” a few times a week: a date night with your husband, a manicure, a yoga class, a lunch with friends. It is okay to leave your baby to just have some time alone. You will surely miss the baby, but even just an hour away completely restores you. A conversation with adults or just some quiet time is essential in preserving your sanity. Don’t forget about you!
Lauren Deneroff is an organizational expert and the founder of mama{love}, a boutique maternity consulting and baby planning firm. mama{love} provides expectant and new moms a wide range of services for support from bump to baby and beyond, serving clients across the New York metropolitan area. www.mamalovenyc.com
Like what you read? Sign up for our free newsletter so you can be informed of the latest FREE webinars & teleclasses, parenting articles, & weekly raffles.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.
