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Coming home: First weeks with your baby

Ten steps to a good start with your new baby

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Originally published in Today's Parent October 2007

Three days after I brought my new baby home from the hospital, I went out for my first postpartum walk. It was a five-minute shuffle to the milk store on a blustery winter’s day. Two unforgettable thoughts cycled through my mind: So this is what it feels like to have absolutely no stomach muscles; and I will never again be able to pop out of the house without planning for my baby! I was delighted with my newborn son, but suddenly felt a sense of panic and deep despair — feelings not uncommon to many brand new parents.

The first few weeks at home with your new baby can be a challenging time. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you are exhausted and caring for your baby 24/7. Here are 10 tips to make your transition to parenthood a little easier:

1 Stock your fridge
A fridge and freezer brimming with healthy food can be a blessing in those early days with a newborn. Nancy Klebaum, an RN and clinical coordinator of Saskatoon’s maternal visiting program, suggests that in the month before the birth, try to double up on everything you cook and put the extra portions in the freezer. If you don’t have the time or energy to cook, stock the fridge with healthy frozen foods. And look for snacks that can be eaten easily with one hand — so you can eat and nurse at the same time! Fruit, precut veggies, tube yogurt and muffins are good bets.

2 Research resources
Racheel Baartman, a childbirth educator and birthing coach at BC Women’s Hospital, suggests you track down local breastfeeding clinics, emergency rooms, 24-hour pharmacies and local new mother support programs before the baby arrives. “Should a crisis arise, instead of fumbling through the telephone book you have a ready-made list of numbers.”

3 Build a support team
Organizing support is probably the most important thing you can do, observes Klebaum. “I think a lot of new mothers think, ‘I am an independent, working woman. I’ve managed my own life. I probably won’t need much help.’ You think, ‘Well how hard can this really be?’ and, in fact, this is going to be a very demanding few weeks.” So throw away that independent streak: Some extra help will really come in handy. And whether you hire a postpartum doula or enlist a family member, adds Baartman, choose people who will relieve your stress — not add to it. “Discuss, as a couple, who you would like to have around so everyone is comfortable with the decision.”

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