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Most parents-to-be dream of holding their newborn baby and looking after them – and most new parents find themselves more exhausted than they ever thought possible! I’ve learned the hard way that, if I’m not careful, those precious early weeks fly by in a sleep-deprived blur, so this time round I’ve worked hard to make the most of the fleeting newborn stage. I’m still a little shocked that Anna is already six weeks old, but I feel like I’m enjoying every step of the way. Here’s what’s working for me:
- Let people help. I’ve been very lucky this time round – I had family helping before Anna showed up, family around for the first few days after she was born, and lots of help from friends after that. I’ve accepted every single offer of help that’s come my way – and I will be forever grateful to everyone who did help out, for making these early new-baby weeks so wonderful for me and my family.
- Scale back activities. I worked hard to simplify life before Anna showed up, and I’m looking to simplify even more. There’s no point filling days with extras when you’re too busy to enjoy the basics.
- Hold your baby. I use my Moby-style knit wrap, and a Mei Tai style carrier to carry Anna during the day when I need to get things done. I’ll switch her into the ERGO carrier when she gets older. I also try to spend at least a few minutes each day *just* holding her – without trying to do anything else.
- Go outside. This makes all the difference for me, and it’s a huge piece of my walking six-year-old Emma to school every day. It’s also the reason I’m willing to invest in high quality baby carriers and strollers – they make leaving the house much easier!
- Pay attention to nutrition. I try to keep healthy snacks on hand (fruits and veggies), since otherwise I find myself eating chocolate chips instead of lunch… I’m also a big believer in the benefits of prenatal vitamins after having a baby as well as before, and I feel like I have more energy and think more clearly on vitamins with DHA than on those without DHA.
- Get creative with colicky babies. Emma screamed for several hours each evening as a newborn. Taking her outside often helped, but it wasn’t realistic to keep her out for hours on end in the middle of a Scottish winter. We found music that also calmed her down, as did bouncing on one of those giant exercise balls!
- Remember that it goes by quickly. Make time to notice your baby laughing in their sleep, and watch them admire their hands in the sunlight.
- Remember how lucky you are. There are couples across the world who would give anything to be kept up all night by the world’s most colicky baby. If you must complain about being tired, be careful who you complain to.
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I agree it does go by so quickly. At times I wish I could shrink my kiddos and see them small again.
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:09 am
I know, that would be fun, for a few hours…
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She is just so gorgeous! Wonderful photo.
“There’s no point filling days with extras when you’re too busy to enjoy the basics.” Very well said. Things have been picking up for me, but I feel internal nudges to simply and slow down even more.
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:10 am
I find it’s a constant work in progress for me – finding the balance between doing interesting things and keeping life at a healthy pace.
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Your post made me miss those first weeks – luckily, my Anna was a fairly sleepy newborn :) I was very big on prenatal vitamins too.
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You are so wise! I feel like I worried away many of the newborn days – so glad you are mindful of how quickly it passes and how precious this time is.
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:11 am
I worried so much when Emma was a baby – that’s part of why I’m really conscious of enjoying it all now!
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Perfect advice. I remember like it was yesterday when I had 3 little ones and now that they are 7, 9, & 11 I can’t believe those days are gone. It’s great now too, but nothing beats a big ol’ chubby baby saying “mama”.
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I find myself missing those newborn days more and more each year.Enjoy your baby as much as possible. Memories last forever…
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AMEN to this post as I can only agress with all six (?) points!!! How true about not needing extras when you’re so busy enjoying the basics. :) Already with Quinn I tried to enjoy each moment and not already hope for the next… and it was a priceless bit of truly good advice I followed but now expecting our 5th I think these points are even more pressing as now there are loads more things competing for my attention – some vital and some only good. :)
Thanks, Mary Anne, for sharing such precious thoughts with a bit of the world!
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:11 am
Thank you, Tara <3
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I love these tips, especially the one about nutrition. I recently developed a citrus allergy b/c I got lazy about taking my prenatal vitamins and had a vitamin deficiency that triggered the allergy because nursing really does still take a lot of nutrients. Also, here is a popular baby play post for when your little girl gets a bit older, though I know you are certainly experienced and probably have tons of ideas yourself!! http://jennifischer.blogspot.com/2012/08/simple-ideas-for-baby-play-at-home.html — Also, I still have something special to mail you.
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:12 am
I’ll definitely check out your post – I love getting new ideas!
Did I ever send you my address?
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I like that perspective on quality strollers and carriers. I’ve been thinking about upgrading my stroller. This is helpful. Thanks!
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Thanks so much for sharing your tips! I will be needing these soon. :) I just purchased a Moby wrap the other day – one of my must-haves before the baby arrives.
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:22 am
Moby wraps are perfect for newborns!
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Babywearing rocks! It makes life so much easier if you have more than one kids :)
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:22 am
Exactly! It was a lifesaver with my colicky first child, too!
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Love your perspective, and it seems to continue to be true with every passing day. That newborn time was so special, yet I can’t believe how many days have passed since then. I need reminders to cherish them and appreciate the time with my little guy, so thanks!
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YES!! YES!! YES!!!
I AGREE WITH EVERY WORD!!!
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The biggest advice for me was asking for help. Noone, NOONE will offer to give you a break (some will say it because it sounds good), but really its up to us to ask for the help and that pic is just too precious.
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:26 am
That is very true. This time I got lucky, because a good friend took it upon herself to ask people to help because she knew I wouldn’t…
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Hey, I love the giant bouncy ball idea! Walking, enjoying the basics, and vitamins! These are great. I need to starting taking vitamins again!!!
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:26 am
The giant bouncy ball makes a great alternative to the (much more exhausting) endless pacing with a baby!
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some great tips.. hope i will get to use them sometime. those first few weeks went by soo fast…
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 7:27 am
I hope you get to use them, too! It is amazing how quickly the early weeks fly by.
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Such a cute photo of her yawning!
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Wonderful advice, MaryAnne! They do grow up way to quickly … I remember the baby days so clearly, and my kids are already 22 and 27! I’m so thankful that I treasured their early days and years. Now I’m looking forward to grandkids. I’m already collecting awesome posts like yours on my Babies – Activities and Ideas Board at http://pinterest.com/debchitwood/babies-activities-and-ideas/
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maryanne Reply:
September 20th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Grandkids must be so much fun! Thank you so much for pinning my post to your board!
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Oops – way too quickly!
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I can’t believe my youngest boys are over a year already. It goes by way too fast. Excellent advice, all of them.
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It does go by so quickly…I can’t believe how quickly it seemed to go the second time around. These are wonderful tips. I love the one about taking time each day to *just* hold your baby. Beautiful post.
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This is all so true, every word, and so beautifully put. I especially love the point about it going by so fast and remembering to be grateful. That’s not always easy to do when you’re right in the middle of it all and it seems so hard, but it’s so important to stop and be thankful for all of it, sleep deprivation and all.
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Oh, forgot to say thank you as well for linking up to The Sunday Parenting Party. I’ve pinned this to our board.
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maryanne Reply:
September 24th, 2012 at 9:42 am
Thank you for pinning it :)
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