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Post by kwith on Jan 14, 2014 8:17:01 GMT -5
Okay, so all the newborn baby advice says that I should accept any help that's offered for the first month or so of baby kwith, which makes sense. And friends are starting to offer, which is lovely, but I don't actually know what I'll need help with. My mom is planning to come to town for the first few weeks, so I think she'll take care of a lot of the day to day stuff like cleaning and laundry. Other than asking people to bring by dinners (which gets complicated with H's dietary needs), what else can I ask people to do?
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Post by kwith on Jan 14, 2014 8:55:53 GMT -5
@swimmy1988, I'm hoping to breastfeed at this point. If it doesn't go well, then formula feedings are definitely an option.
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Post by kwith on Jan 14, 2014 9:16:38 GMT -5
Small errands like grocery shopping, running out for toilet paper, etc. Bringing over dinners is a good one. Even just watching the baby while you grab a quick nap. This is a great point. I think I need to pull out some cash to have on hand, which I never do, so I can send people out for stuff without worrying about them having to pay for it. I think the big challenge is that most of my local friends, while they have the best intentions, are childless and don't know what to do with babies, so are too nervous to actively take care of the baby if I'm not around. So I'm mostly trying to think of non-baby related ways that they can help. |
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Post by GoneFishing on Jan 14, 2014 9:33:15 GMT -5
Entertainment might be another good way for someone to help. Got a friend with an awesome DVD collection? I'm betting for the first few days to week you're basically going to be living your life one diaper change/feeding to the next. A big grab bag of borrowed movies you really like but have already seen might be nice to have around so that you can have something to watch without feeling frustrated if you catnap or when you get interrupted by Baby. It's not a big thing, but might be a great way to make someone feel like they're helping without having them underfoot to do more harm than good.
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Post by kwith on Jan 14, 2014 10:49:47 GMT -5
Bring books, magazines or movies for you to borrow. People assume life with a newborn is hectic, but honestly, it's only as hectic as you make it. They sleep. A lot. Yes, they have an erratic schedule and will mix up days and nights for a while, but as long as you're getting some naps while they sleep, you will also find yourself with time to fill. When it's nice outside you can put baby in the stroller and go, but February isn't really the best time for that. It's also nice to have an extra pair of hands for the first few outings; doesn't mean that the friends who aren't comfortable with babies have to deal with the baby; they can help you bring the oodles of things you need when you venture out into the real world. And go out in the real world. Take her and meet friends for coffee in the middle of the day - they can help by getting you out of the house. It will keep you sane, I promise. My unsolicited (and not-exactly-related advice): don't ask people to 'be quiet' when she's sleeping. Someone wants to vacuum for you while she's napping? Go for it! Otherwise, she'll get used to absolute silence when she sleeps and that makes it harder later on down the road. She just spent the last nine months listening to your heartbeat (which is loud from the inside), your digestive processes, muffled outside sounds etc... she's used to lots of noise already, and won't mind a bit more. Some babies welcome it.Side note: I read that this same principle applies to animals or other kids making noise. For example, baby kwith should be used to hearing Zoe bark at this point, so even if it slightly wakes her up once she arrives, she shouldn't find it distressing. It's apparently better for animals, parents, and new babies if you just let the animals do their thing rather than trying to shush them, since trying to keep them quiet is just extra stress you don't need. Other side note: I've read a lot of articles about bringing babies in to homes with pets  |
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Post by kwith on Jan 14, 2014 11:13:37 GMT -5
Get mr kwith to bring a blanket home from the hospital with the baby's scent on it, so she can sniff it out beforehand. When you and baby kwith come home, have your H carry the baby so Zoe can greet you as enthusiastically as she wants. When you (the royal 'you', so whomever) is holding the baby and Zoe is nearby, make sure she gets lots of treats and attention, so she associates baby with good things. You know all this already - we've talked about it before, waaaaayyyy back in the past (like, last fall sometime) Yeah, I've pretty much accepted that the first three days or so will be rough while Zoe adjusts, because that's how she always is with new visitors or animals. But then baby kwith will become part of the pack and Zoe will be happy again. |
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Post by kwith on Jan 14, 2014 11:19:39 GMT -5
I'm getting so excited for you! Hopefully baby kwith makes her arrival soonish! I would prefer it to happen this Friday, as that's her official "not pre-term" date. But odds are it'll be another three weeks or so still. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2014 19:01:36 GMT -5
If you have someone that is there, have them stockpile snacks and water for you for when you are nursing. Everyone has good advice.
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