Guest Blog:
How to Adapt Once Your Baby Arrives

Bringing a new life into the world can be exciting, albeit a bit scary. You want to ensure you're the best parent possible for your little one, so you may do a ton of research to figure out how to do everything right. It might seem difficult at first, but you can absorb tidbits of knowledge that will make the adjustment period easier. Here are some helpful hints you should consider.

5 Things to Know for the Baby

You may feel perfectly ready for your baby to come home, but you may also encounter challenges and difficulties you didn't expect. As you learn how to be a parent, it helps to know some hacks that will make the parenting gig easier. Here are a few things you should consider before you head to the hospital for the big day.

1. Use a Baby Sling 

Not everyone can or should be productive with a newborn. Still, if you have light activities you want to get done, consider using a baby sling. It allows you to hold your baby close as you move about the house and do some light tidying up or a hobby you enjoy.
 
Skin-to-skin contact can help a baby's development right after birth and allows you to hold your baby while doing other things. Your baby might even feel comforted by being so close to you and the gentle rocking motions of you moving around.

2. Keep Diapers Everywhere

Your baby doesn't always give you a warning before they go to the bathroom. You don't want to be caught without a diaper and run all over the house to find one. Keep a small stack of diapers in every room so you’ll always feel prepared and can change your baby whenever necessary. You should also include a change of clothes for you and your child in every area of the house in case things get messy.

3. They Are Learning Their Cues

When your baby was in the womb, they didn't have to worry about feeling hungry, thirsty, tired or any other form of discomfort. Your baby will now learn about the cues their body gives them regarding hunger, which may mean they don't know how to deal with it immediately. Feed them until they seem satisfied or try to pull away, signaling that they've had enough. Regular mealtimes might come in handy in the future, but right now, your priority is ensuring your baby is well-fed and can grow without issues.

4. Expect Unexpected Costs

You never know when you'll have to pay more for something out of pocket or face an unexpected expense. You might be busy caring for your child when something goes wrong in your home. Knowing which repairs to look out for and how much they can cost you can help you budget in an emergency. This is vital, considering most single-family homeowners spend $4,800 annually on maintenance. Ensure you're setting aside some money if you need to take care of something that comes up out of the blue.

5. Ready What They Need

You shouldn't have to worry about having an unfinished nursery while bringing your baby home from the hospital. Ensure that certain things, like installing the car seat or decorating your baby's room, are done before your due date. Do everything you can before this time so the only thing you'll need to focus on is having your baby and bringing them into a home full of love.

5 Things to Know for You

You and your partner need to learn how to take care of yourselves while adjusting to this season of life. You may know how to take care of your baby in every way, but you also need to prioritize yourselves and your health. Here are a few things you should know before welcoming your baby.

1. Sleep When You Can

It might sound cliche to sleep when the baby does, but it's some of the best advice you'll receive as a new parent. Lack of sleep can be harmful. You might experience health risks if you go too long without sleeping or be cranky and have difficulty dealing with minor things. Even if you can only get a quick nap in, take the opportunity. A well-rested parent is a more empathetic, alert parent.

2. Don't Sweat the Routine

Many parents believe they must walk into the newborn phase with a plan. While it's good to have a loose sense of what you want to accomplish during this time, babies can be unpredictable. Your baby will have needs at hours you didn't expect. You may need to give up on establishing a routine for the time being. As your baby gets older, they will fall into an easier-to-manage routine. For now, try to go with the flow and enjoy your time with your child.

3. Make Food in Batches

You may only have time to cook when your baby is sleeping, so ensuring you have enough food to feed yourself and your partner for a few days is vital. You can make a lot of food by baking and freezing casseroles, which heat up easily and last a long time. It might be even better if someone in your family, local community or church organizes a meal train, so you don't have to worry about cooking — just reheat your meals and spend time with your baby.

You should also consider eating some of the most nourishing foods to keep your energy up, as breastfeeding requires about 500 extra calories daily. Ensure you’re eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and protein to keep you energized.

4. Maintain Personal Hygiene

It can be challenging to take care of yourself when you're prioritizing a little life. Just remember that you need some moments of self-care, too, or you'll burn out. Plus, your health will only suffer in the future if you don't take care of yourself now. Have someone else watch your baby while you shower and brush your teeth. Prioritizing self-care can make you feel good about yourself and better able to care for your baby. After all, you can’t pour from an empty pitcher.

5. Ask for Help

The most important thing you need to realize is that you're never alone. You're not the first person to care for a newborn, nor will you be the last. Having other people helping you take care of your child benefits you and your baby immensely and takes some pressure off you and your spouse. If someone offers to come over and help with chores, let them.
 
You may also want to get involved in a parents' support group. Members will be available, either virtually or in person, to give you advice and ease some of your stress. You might make some new friends, which could be valuable if you recently moved to a new area.

Enjoy Every Moment

Life with a newborn can be hectic and unpredictable, especially if you're a first-time parent. You have no structure to your days and start operating based on your child's schedule. Still, as stressful as it might seem right now, try to soak up every moment. You may miss the newborn stage once they start growing up. Adapting to your baby's schedule won't last forever, so prepare as best as you can before your baby arrives. Then, you'll feel better equipped to handle anything that comes your way.

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