0-4 Months
You will need:
- A baby carrier
- Bottles and express pump
- A lunchbox
- A newborn baby
Buy a Baby Carrier
My baby Bjour was a life saver. Atti was particularly hard to get to sleep from a few weeks old and would only ever sleep for a maximum of 45 minutes. I would take him for a walk almost every day in the carrier and he would finally have a nap. It meant I got some exercise and fresh air!
Back Away From The Washing Basket, Vacuum or Tea towel
It is so easy to fall into a housewife routine and rush around trying clean everything and do (Try to) all the household cleaning and washing when your partner goes off to work for the day - but don't. Take it easy. The first four months of your baby's life is so precious. They need you 90% of the time and if you're running around trying to do everything you will miss the vital signs and bonding moments you could be having with your new baby.
If the washing desperately needs doing, just chuck a load on before you go to bed at night and hang it out before your partner goes off to work in the morning. The dishes can wait until after dinner and you can even do them with your partner. Beau and I have some of our best conversations while doing the dishes every night!
Socialise
Get up and get out! Even if you feel like spending all day in your PJ's staring lovingly at your creation. Now is the time to socialise while your baby sleeps at the slight motion of a pram being rocked or the jiggle of the road while you drive. Join at least one group that meets weekly. Whether it be a mothers group, a mothers fitness group or a weekly play date with a friend who also has a Baby. This will give you something to look forward to throughout the week, and a time where you can put normal daytime clothes on and ask fellow mummies questions and you can all sit in a circle holding hands gazing lovingly at your babies while singing kumbaya (Maybe not so much that last part....).
Pack a Lunchbox
Yes, pretend you're back in the 5th grade. Grab yourself a lunchbox (Preferably one with Batman or Cinderella on it) and pack what you think you'll need for the day. A sandwich, apple, yogurt, cheese and crackers, some tim-tams if your mum was like mine… this way you don't have to think about food in the early days. You just open your lunchbox and grab a snack.
Hand The Baby Over
Something I did not do enough of was let someone else take care of Atti for a few hours while he was younger. In the first two months of his life he was happy feeding from a bottle and didn't mind who was feeding him. He had no particular routine so anyone could take him and cuddle him to sleep. Why did I not grasp that opportunity to get my legs waxed or get my nails done or take a nap?! Who knows… But don't make the same mistake I did! Have an afternoon off and do something nice for yourself.
Night Routine
This is a hard one as all babies and mummies are totally different. If you can get a whole day and night routine down pat in the first four months, I take my hat off to you. I found it totally mind-boggling to work out Atti's pattern of sleeping and feeding in the first 4 months. However I did put in place a night routine at around 8 weeks of bath, feed, and bed. It seemed to pay off.
4-8 Months
You will need:
- A pram
- All the sleep books money can buy
- Tights-as-pants
- A loud singing voice and goofy smile
- Crèche
Routine
Routine, routine, routine. It's a very touchy subject. There are a lot of expectations put on babies to sleep through at a certain age or have a certain number of naps per day with so many hours in between each nap. My advice is to be knowledgeable on the subject of routines, understand how many hours your baby should be napping a day and how many hours should be in between. And then store it somewhere deep, deep in the back of your mind, almost forgotten but not quite. Trust in yourself you will eventually work it out. Atti is 8 months old and I feel like I'm only just beginning to get him into a routine.
It's OK To Be Bored
Being a full time mum can be mentally exhausting and repetitive. To tackle this issue I suggest pretending you are on Playschool.
Have story time and music time with your Baby where you encourage clapping and cheering. Put on some music and perform to your baby! Yes you will look like a total fool if someone walks in and hears you screeching, 'The incey wincey spider...' while demonstrating huge over the top movements for your baby to follow. But god dammit you are Monica from Playschool!
Tights-As-Pants (As long as you’re pushing a pram or carrying a baby)
It's your worst nightmare! Tights worn as pants! Before you throw up in disgust let me explain. When your baby reaches a certain age or stage in their life, they want to be picked up and then put back down. Then they want you to sit with them while they play, then they want to climb all over you, then they want you to feed them in the most uncomfortable positions, then they won't go to sleep so you have to quickly get them in the pram and go for a walk before they scream the house down. Your day is basically like a long, drawn out workout. Take a deep breath, swallow your pride and put the tights on. You can thank me for this one later.
Start a Craft, Book or Further Your Education
Get creative or if you're really feeling on top of everything: go back to school. By 6 months your baby might have some periods in the day where they just want to do their own thing. Whether it be jump in the jolly jumper or play quietly by themselves, you have a free 30-60 minutes to start doing something other than googoo gahgah-ing. Grasp it and use it to your full advantage! I read mainly but am hoping to start crafting soon.
Find a Crèche
Crèche is probably the best invention ever. EVER. See if you have any local gyms or recreational centres which supply a crèche. Drop your baby off for an hour and do a workout or have a leisurely dip in the pool. It's beneficial for both you and your baby. They’re learning social skills and starting to become accustomed to being without you, and you're getting a much needed break.
