Our baby girl is 9 weeks old today!
I can’t believe it’s been 9 weeks already. It has seriously flown by. In this time we have had tons of amazing and helpful visitors, been on one date night, gone on a bunch of walks, had 3 “play dates,” had just a few completely sleepless nights, dealt with fussiness and a baby gas, been in love with Layla’s smiles and “a-goos,” and took Layla out to 3 nice dinners (Chez Panisse, Greens, and Millennium) – where she did great! It’s been a crazy and amazing ride with our super active, kick-punching, talkative little girl – and I can’t wait to see what the next month brings
And in honor of Layla’s 9 week birthday, I thought I’d share a few healthy tips for the new mom that I’ve been trying to keep in mind every day.
Tip #1: Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water / fluids is critical to keeping your energy up, and for any breastfeeding mom it’s super important for your milk supply! I just carry around a water bottle with me these days and fill it with coconut water, regular water, and a tiny bit of apple juice mixed with a ton of water. I have to mix things up a bit because just drinking regular water all the time gets boring for me!
Tip #2: Take a bath or a shower every day (if you can!). When we got home from the hospital the husband asked me what he could do to make my days easier, and one of the main things I asked for is to be able to take a shower every day. It’s my time to unwind, not have to worry about Layla, and feel like a normal adult. It’s amazing how much a shower can do for your mood! And in the same vein, try to change out of your PJs after your shower – it’s the first step to motivating you to get out of the house!
Tip #3: Get moving. This doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym every day (which, if you’re at home alone with your little one, is nearly impossible!) But try to find ways to stay active a few times a week if you can. For me, this means going on long walks with Layla in the stroller – she loves it! And on the weekends taking a trip to the gym in our building while the husband watches Layla. You can also do some yoga in your house while your little one naps, or carry them in a carrier while running errands.
Tip #4: Don’t expect too much out of yourself. No one can do it all! Make sure to get as much support as you can and ask for help when you need it! Don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel like you’re not doing enough – it’s a long, tough road at times so it’s important to be gentle and kind with yourself.
Tip #5: Eat. This might sound like a no-brainer, but it is a huge challenge getting meals together while taking care of a little one by yourself (while your partner is at work and you’re still on leave). Make sure you don’t skip breakfast and take advantage of the naps during the day to prep your other meals so that it doesn’t end up being 5pm and you still haven’t eaten lunch (this has happened to me once or twice since Layla was born!)