It's only a few weeks now until my youngest is three! Three! Where does the time go ey? The terrible twos have indeed hit, but the thought of the baby stage is also terrifying. I don't know how we got through it - bumbling our way day by day, trying to just keep us all alive, haha! I found sleep deprivation really challenging, and even though my husband would help at night, I found I just couldn't switch off. If you're expecting soon or thinking about becoming a parent in the near future then here's a few "what to expects" in that first month. It's no picnic, but it's worth it. Right?!
Take it Sloooow
I know everyone says this, but it really pays to take things super slow in those first few weeks. Everything is new and unknown. Don't pressure yourself to be out of the house on day one. On the flip side, if you're feeling good and need to get out, do so!
Chilled Days
With our second son, we found we had lots of time during the day to catch up on box sets and binge-watch our favourite shows! Eat, sleep, poop and repeat - all of this was manageable around Netflix. And we enjoyed snuggling up on the sofa with our little one and just taking it really easy for the first few weeks.
Don't Stress the Mess
You're gonna be tired, stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, tearful - try and let the typical day-to-day household mess slide though. Unless you're fortunate to have someone come in and help, just leave it. It will be there once you feel more organised and ready to tackle it.
Knock Knock!
Urgh, visitors. They mean well, and it's lovely to show off your newborn, but let people know if you need a time out. Set clear boundaries on when people can and can't visit to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
Ask for Help
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. That may be asking a friend to pick up some shopping for you or running the hoover round. Now isn't the time to be proud - I gladly took any offer of help if it was given.
Speak with your Midwife or Health visitor
In those first few weeks, the midwives will visit and then you'll be given a health visitor. Although sometimes it can feel odd having people in and out of the house, they are there to help. If you have any questions or concerns about yourself or your baby, ask them for advice. I remember my c-section scar just wouldn't heal properly the second time around. It was handy to get the midwife to check it and advise on the next steps. After all, I'm sure she has seen many c-section scars!
Enjoy your time with your little one. It's tiring and I found the days long. But it does go so fast and before you know it, they're eight and talking back to you!
