Joggers (love) / Stroller / Top / Bag / Shoes
Poppy celebrated her “3 month birthday” this week and I literally am in complete shock that three months have went by since she joined us in December. I mean, it’s almost April….whatttt? The first few months of parent hood are rough (more on that in another post) and you quite literally just try to survive the “4th trimester.” I consider myself no expert in the “mom-sphere” but I do think it’s helpful to share a few things that have saved me the past few months in case there are any new mommas or mommas-to-be reading.
- Snacks: As a mom you quite literally put another human before yourself, so it’s not surprise you forget to eat….all the time. Nursing moms know how important eating is to your supply (and also just your energy whether nursing or not!). I’ve found myself at 3PM on so many days thinking, “oh, I’ve only had my cold coffee today…” I put out an Instastory asking for quick snack suggestions and y’all gave me some amazing answers! But for on-the-go and easy access I’ve absolutely loved having Graze boxes delivered. Graze boxes are essentially pre-packaged snacks that are individually proportioned with 150 calories or less. Healthy and packed with flavor and protein to keep you full, there are over 100+ snack combinations to ensure each box is tailored to your taste and dietary preferences! I love them and they have saves me on so many days!
- Sleep: Look, I know this seems impossible, but you MUST sleep when your child does. There are one-million things to do besides sleep, I get it. But when I actually take a nap, I feel more patient, thankful and confident that I can tackle motherhood. I usually sleep when Poppy takes her first morning nap, it’s her longest nap of the day and I can get an additional hour. It’s crazy how much that nap helps me. I can get through the rest of the day as my best self for my daughter.
- Great TV shows: Seriously, send out a message to your friends and ask them what to watch. Whether you’re nursing or feeding from a bottle, babies eat and they take a while, so kick back and watch something entertaining while you’re at it. It will make the time go quicker! I’m currently watching Big Little Lies thanks to a free month of HBO.
- Get a great baby carrier and use it. Witching hour at night is SO real, but Poppy loves being held, so we will stick her in either this or this and it buys us time to eat dinner and get a few things done without her screaming before bedtime.
- STOP worrying about your house, the laundry, etc. I know it’s hard, but you have something much more important to look after.
- Ask for help when needed. THIS IS SO HARD. We’re the moms and we feel a great sense of responsibility for everything. Hear me though, ask your husband, friend, etc. for help. IT can make the world of a difference and they can’t read your mind as to what needs to be done… especially husbands.
- Do what works for YOU. Mom shame is real and that is a shame. The only person you should have to answer to is your baby, so you do what works best for you and your family. In 10+ years no one will know if your child was breast or bottle fed, swaddled or not swaddled, on a schedule or not, so for now, if something is working for you, let it.
- Make Time for Yourself. End of story, do it.
- Take the shortcuts that make life easier for you. I ordered the Graze boxes, we still have someone come every other week to clean and I sometimes go to Whole Foods and get prepared items for dinner instead of cooking. These things help me and whether or not it’s ordering groceries online, having snack boxes delivered or having someone walk you dog these little things can make a big difference. It’s not a cop-out, it’s reality.
- Get some great dry-shampoo. You’ll thank me later.
I’d love to know what’s saved you recently and if you’ve tried Graze. Aaron wants a subscription now because I’ve found him sneaking into mine multiple times! The sirracha mix is SO good!
Happy Friday friends, make it an amazing weekend. You’ve earned it!
XX
Mom shame/shade and the accompanying guilt is so real … and brutal. It definitely coloured the first few weeks of my time with my daughter (especially when I decided to bottle feed and not even because breastfeeding wasn’t working but just because, for a whole host of reasons, it wasn’t for us). I think all the sleep deprivation and hormone spikes made me feel it and agonize over it more than I would normally have done. And you are so on the money with getting a carrier that works for you. My ring sling was a like saver in those initial months and now that my daughter is 9 months I still toss her in that thing a few times a week so I can have my hands free when she’s in a mood to cuddle constantly.
Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
My baby is almost 3 now and dry shampoo is still such a lifesaver. Who has time to wash their hair? I’m not sure if we have Graze available where I am but we use a meal subscription and it’s amazing. Yay shortcuts!