One of my favorite things to do is wake up & read a book with a cup of tea or coffee. Right now I am reading, ‘Girl, Wash Your Face’ by Rachel Hollis & her chapter on motherhood inspired me to post a question box on my Instagram story the other day. I asked;
What was the one thing that helped you through your first handful of weeks as a mother to a newborn?
And the response was incredible. I received a handful of messages from mothers-to-be who found the tips super helpful – a few even mentioned it eased their anxious mama mind.
I decided that these tips need a place to live for anyone to refer back to. I’m sharing every single response that was submitted because I enjoyed reading the variety of answers as well as the similarities.
A quick warm thank you to all the mamas who shared their mama wisdom – you are the BEST! xo
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Getting out of the house and good girlfriends who bring coffee!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Babysitters to entertain the older kids
A tip for a mama with a newborn
My mama <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Asking for help!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
MY MOM! Comfy, loose clothes. Coffee. Healthy, premade meals.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Put phone chargers everywhere AND have sex after Dr. clears you – even if you don’t feel sexy, you deserve it.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Getting dressed and out of the house even if it was just to Starbucks once per day.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Reminding myself that my only job was to care for them. Everything else could wait.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Going for walks! Getting outside for even 10 minutes was so helpful for my mental state.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Taking daily walks had been huge for us! She sleeps in the stroller & I can get some fresh air <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Saying no to visitors. Everyone wants to meet the baby and it can be overwhelming all at once!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Fresh air fixes everything – go outside at least once every day regardless of the weather!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Give yourself grace through the adjustment periods. You’re all learning! Also keep your journey as your own, comparing it to no other!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
If you’re struggling, it’s okay to reach out to someone!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Accept help offered
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Getting out of the house too! It’s good for you and the baby. Introduce your little one to all different environments.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Take a shower. Do your hair and makeup. Everyday. Even if you’re putting your pj’s back on.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Lanolin! Breastfeeding was rough in the beginning! Pushing through that was SO worth it!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Reminding yourself there is no right way. Have to formula feed your babe? GREAT!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Having family over to help
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Prayer
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Sleeping instead of tidying the scattered 20mins here and there.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Getting out of the house! Going for a walk or just running through Starbucks drive-thru!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Take an hour a day for yourself (a shower doesn’t count.)
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Visitors can be overwhelming…go easy on yourself.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Make meals ahead of time and freeze them!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Buy nipple cream, hydrogels, breast pads ahead of time…they’ll save your life.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Get some comfy pretty loungewear to change into during the day 🙂
A tip for a mama with a newborn
If you’re breastfeeding, get a water bottle that you like and keep it with you at all times.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
If breastfeeding finding support. IBCLC, CLC, la leche etc
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Take in all the good, bad and ugly! Time is so precious! IT goes by so fast!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Stay in bed as much as possible. Rest, nurse, cuddle your baby. Everything else can and should wait.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Going to Target, breathing in the fresh air, getting Starbucks, and have a meal train!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Wake up and put on real clothes. It makes the rest of the day seem like you’re in charge.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Ingredients for quick meals
A tip for a mama with a newborn
That newborn smell. It has healing powers, I swear it!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Just surrender…put on Netflix, cozy up on the sofa, cuddle and feed your baby (on repeat!)
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Ask friends and family to remake dinner & leave in the fridge to cook in the oven later.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Take a shower daily – it helps so much! Bring baby in the bathroom with you if needed.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Let your baby fuss a little! It’s their way of settling into sleep.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
If you’re in a good relationship with your mom, stay with her for a couple of weeks.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Accept help. Not all babies are “easy”, but it will get better and you are not alone.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Even if you don’t want to go to the group (breastfeeding, parent and me X, etc) GO!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Do what feels right for you and your baby. Your motherhood journey is yours alone. <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Being surrounded by family and their loving support.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Ask for help. Don’t be shy about it, and be specific.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
I promise it gets easier! Particularly breastfeeding I found very difficult and emotional.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
My mom
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Finding other mamas helped tremendously, also ask friends/family when you need help
A tip for a mama with a newborn
It is TOTALLY OKAY to pass the baby off for an hour to get some rest!!!!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Waking up and taking a shower, then going for a walk outside of the home with baby <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
A weekly housekeeper who folded all the laundry.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
I leaned on my mom a lot <3 she took care of me while I took care of my son
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Do not feel obligated that people have to meet your baby asap
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Rest, relax, snuggle. Nothing needs to get done. Just soak in all the newborn snuggles!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Someone else making meals for me
A tip for a mama with a newborn
An incredibly supportive partner! <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Take one day….one hour at a time <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Go to Moms group Tuesday mornings at Manchester hospital (you don’t have to deliver there)
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Take all the help anyone gives you and don’t be afraid to ask for it either
A tip for a mama with a newborn
My husband, my mom and my mother-in-law <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Start with small goals for yourself def if nursing. Go to Target for on hour- then work up to big
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Don’t decline help offered.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
The support of my own momma.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
When overwhelmed – put dada on duty & go take a bath & a breather, maybe some wine or a joint.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Admit to your loved one when you’re maxed out and need a break – an hour or 2 to yourself.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Be patient and kind to yourself. Look in the mirror and tell yourself all the amazing things.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Surrender to the house being out of sorts and messy for this quickly passing the hectic time.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
This ones huge to my survival with newborns GROCERY PICK UP & TARGET pick up. Take advantage!!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Ask your partner to become familiar with what PPD looks like and then ask them to lookout.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Get fresh air and least once a day.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Get photos of you and your newborn together. You’ll barely remember those days later.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Make a few playlists to break up your day and help you make the shifts.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Take a looooooong hot shower every single day.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Stay off IG the plateau of unrealistic motherhood most of the time <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Joined a baby & me group! It forced me out when I was anxious and gave me a tribe <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Letting someone help with feeds so you can sleep!!
A tip for a mama with a newborn
It’s ok to feel all the feels and to cry because you are so overwhelmed and so in love.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Everything that is hard is temporary.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Spacing out visitors and not being afraid to say no <3
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Showering with eucalyptus. I know. Super weird but so relaxing.
A tip for a mama with a newborn
Rest, nourish & focus on your, your baby. Nothing else <3
