While speaking with The Baby Planners, Melissa and Ellie, about the services they offer to help moms-to-be, it had me reflecting on the help that new moms need once the baby is brought home.
This can be an especially overwhelming time, as mom is recovering from delivery and being responsible for the constant needs of a newborn. It is even more so if a mom had an unexpected c-section. I know that for me, I thought I had arranged enough help for when I got home from the hospital.....but there were so many things I hadn't counted on, and ultimately did not have enough assistance.
A Few Things to Keep In Mind when Pre-Planning:
1. Have a conversation with your husband about what he is willing to do and how can responsibilities be divided up? Is he planning on taking off from work the first two weeks to be an extra set of hands? Is he willing to take over one of the night time feedings (if the baby is bottle fed) Will he take the baby to the doctor/or can he drive you there? Can he help with the laundry or making dinner? And can he take over for you once he arrives home at the end of the day so you are given a break?
2. Plan to have friends and family available to jump in to help where needed the first 3-4 weeks one the baby arrives home (this is in case of a c-section). And tell them specific things that you need help with; such as picking up groceries, watching the baby so you can sleep, or even take a walk to clear your head.
3. Plan how meals are going to be prepared because that will be a chore you won't have time to do -- but you still need to eat well to recover from your delivery.
4. If you have any pets, who can walk and feed them the first couple of weeks? Is there someone in your neighborhood that can do that?
5. Who can take care of doing the laundry or cleaning the house?
It is better to over plan for help and not need it, than to not have enough assistance and feel distraught.
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