REGULAR SHOWERS

Nothing says “There’s a new baby in the house!” like not showering for two or three days at a time. Even though you know it will help you feel better (and human), sometimes, it just won’t happen. And that’s okay. Eventually, you’ll get back to daily showers and when you do, you’ll know you’ve passed another (clean!) hurdle.

"If you’re at home with the baby, get out. Take them out for walks, even just around the neighborhood. It makes you get dressed, it makes you take a shower."  – New Mom

GETTING MORE SLEEPING 

For the first couple of months, sleep is usually a major challenge: You’ll never love your bed as much as you do after having a baby. And getting solid stretches of sleep becomes the Holy Grail. But as your baby grows, he’ll start dozing for longer spurts and then one day—boom—he’ll sleep right through the night and you’ll do a big happy dance: Winning!

“At the beginning, you’re so tired and your body just deals with it...That’s where teamwork really comes into play, and you kind of just figure it out with your partner.” – New Mom

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BABY'S CUES

Like meeting anyone, it takes time to get to know this new little person in your life. Slowly but surely, you’ll start to recognize your baby’s cues for sleepy, hungry, over-stimulated, or “Mommy, I need a walk!”

“In the beginning, you’re just kind of guessing what your baby needs—going through a mental checklist of things. But then, one day, you realize you can tell by a certain sign that your baby’s getting tired or needs some fresh air. It’s really subtle, but it definitely happens, and it’s such a relief!”  

– New Mom

FIRST TIME OUT: JUST YOU AND BABY

It’s hard to believe running an errand with your baby will feel like a big deal but it does...What if she cries? What if my milk leaks? What if the stroller won’t open? Having someone with you that first time will take the edge off and give you a sense of security. Pack diapers, wipes, a blanket, a change of clothes, and food (that may be you!) and keep it short but sweet. Once you’ve got the first outing under your belt, the second one is much easier and soon you’ll both love getting out of the house.

“It's so important to get OUT. It will do so much good for you, and it's a good thing to do with your spouse or partner, just getting out with the stroller.”

– New Mom

(SECOND!) FIRST DATE WITH DAD

With a new baby on board, it’s easy to put your relationship on the backburner. Before the birth, get a date with Dad scheduled (you can always move it if need be). And don’t plan a long evening for this first one; just getting out of the house together is a big win. Leaving the baby with someone else, you’ll likely feel a mix of things—excited and anxious—and may end up checking your phone a lot—everyone does. The second time out, you’ll know what to expect and it will get easier and easier.

“I kept making excuses, because I was so nervous about leaving the baby, but we finally just did it and went out to dinner. It wasn’t exactly the most relaxing evening, but it was good to have that time together and to re-connect.”

– New Mom

GETTING SOME OF YOUR PRE-BABY LIFE BACK

This one’s tough. We put so much guilt on ourselves that we hesitate to take time off from the baby, even when we know it’s important. Eventually, you’ll get back to doing things you enjoy—an exercise class, working on a hobby or degree, or having time to yourself or with friends while Dad’s with the baby.

“When my son was about three months, I decided to go back to work part time, just ten hours a week, because it was something I loved. It made me happy and it made me a better mom, having that time for myself.”

– New Mom