surviving the newborn stage

9:17 AM

It feels funny to be in a place where you're not the one anxiously and nervously looking upon the unknown of world of a newborn. Instead I listen and at times ever so cautiously offer advice to those in the throes of a newborn baby or are about to be. And now that Birdie is over a year I thought it may be a good time to write down some of those invaluable things that we picked up on our journey as new parents. I purposely wanted to stay away from anything like this until a significant amount of time had passed as one very valuable thing we learned that first week at home was just how many stupid ideas we had before we were parents. 
Now that a year has passed and having a newborn feels so far in the past I can honestly tell you what worked, what didn't, what we wished we did differently and the two or three things that we seemed to do right. 
So here is a list of things that ended up being so valuable for us:


Most importantly reminder yourself (and your partner) that you are doing a great job. At the end of the day the most important thing your newborn needs is to be loved and there simply is no right or wrong way to do that. Be patient with yourself and your baby. Ask for help. Give yourselves a break. Go on a drive by yourself and just clear your head. Cherish those moments when they are quiet, squirmy and adorable - it will give you strength to get through the crying that will inevitably follow. And please above anything SLEEP WHEN YOU CAN!! Get it anywhere and anytime, attempt to somehow cobble together four hours a day for yourself, you can't live on less. 

Let me know if there's something I didn't cover and I'll try and help or I'll point you to someone who can!

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9 notes

  1. I'm not pregnant but this was still so helpful to read for one day. So many thing you don't really know about until you become a mama. Thanks for sharing :)

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    1. I'm so happy to hear that! You are so welcome Heather! xo

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  2. I love this! As time for number 2 to make an appearance comes up quickly, I am so glad we have the mamaroo this time! I am also a firm believer in the miracle blanket! :)

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    1. Yes!! Mamaroo and the miracle blanket together is like magic! :) xo

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  3. I'm so lucky to know you before I become a mama one day!

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  4. Tried to comment but it logged me out and logged me back in and good gracious. Basically, you're a great mama. I'm lucky to know you before I need to know all this info for my own future baby :)

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    1. You are so sweet darling!! Thank you so much for your kind words :). Have a lovely week! xo

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  5. What saved my sanity was the Angel Pad. If anyone is as terrified of SIDS as I was it's a lifesaver. It's basically a sensor pad that you put under the baby's mattress and if they don't move (breathe) for more than 20 seconds an alarm goes off. It also doubles as a monitor that beeps every time they move(breathe.) That might be annoying to some people but it was music to my ears!

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    1. I've heard about it but haven't tried it. Sounds like something I would have liked though since I was that paranoid mum that would go and check that she was breathing several times a night almost until her first birthday! Thank you so much for sharing! xo

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