8 sustainable tips you can practice even when you’re back to work.

Lists. Lists. Lists.

Even before you’re released from the hospital you’re given lists of what you can and cannot do. Ever notice how contradicting they are? As a brand new mom with the tiniest human depending solely on you, you need some positivity breathed into this adventure.

So how about another list, but the one list that frees you from uncertainty and pressure? I’m writing this for you because I wish someone had told me these things 3 years ago when I was home with my first…

As I’m writing this, my baby girl is almost two months old. And we are thriving.

(If you haven’t read about how she arrived read this:https://peterabbit122.wordpress.com/2021/03/02/ready-or-not-here-she-comes/ )

The fourth trimester is such a mystery unless you’ve been there before. You don’t get a test drive…

I don’t want you to cry as much as I didn’t have to the first time. You don’t have to try to “get your body back” overnight. And you don’t have to fret about so many things.

So here I am. Sitting on the other end of the couch, nursing my baby. Let’s enjoy some iced coffee (my favorite thing right now!) while I share the secrets I’ve learned to having a blissful season at home with a little miracle.

However you choose to spend the weeks ahead you don’t have to have any regrets.

1. Wear clothes that make you feel good

First of all, your body has just gone grew an entire human being. And now it needs to recover. Be kind to this new version of you.

With long days and nights ahead of you, allow yourself to be comfortable! And make sure to wear things that make you feel good. Have enough sets to switch out at least once a day–and in case of spit and blowouts.

If you’re stopping by to peep my little one, you’ll find me in black, high-waisted leggings and a long open sweater to cover my behind and drenched Auden nursing camisole and bra.

2. Don’t work out unless you want to

Let’s talk about sustainability for a minute here. During my first leave, I felt like it was expected of me (by whom? I do not know) to get back to pre-baby size as soon as possible. Maybe partly because I was working out 5x a week leading up to delivery I was in work out mode, I felt like I had go get right back on that horse immediately.

I mean, the nurses in labor and delivery bragged on my doing Beachbody so there was a sense of accomplishment for me. Even though I had an epidural I could have forwent the celebratory wheelchair and just walked to my recovery room. But they encouraged me to just enjoy.

The day after we went home I started taking walks around my little apartment neighborhood. Then continued to walk each day as well as a daily weight session. I fit in most of my pre-baby work clothes. It felt great.

But after a few months back in the office, exhaustion took over and stress. And I began to realize I was working more than I could handle. Emotional, stress eating picked up and some days I couldn’t make time to do even one workout. I didn’t make space to miss a few days–but the biggest thing was that I was not honest with myself… (subject for another day.)

3. You don’t have to sleep train your baby right away.

You’ll shed more tears than you need to. Learn your baby’s actual cues and then lead from there.

With my first I was so focused on establishing the sleep routine for him. But when I’ve had my second I realize that babies know more than we give them credit for… My little girl was born a “babywise baby”–I didn’t even need to teach her.

I finally learned to just be still and hold her. Chores will always have to be done. But babies don’t keep.

4. Don’t turn on the tv.

Okay, I made friends with Friends the first time and I don’t regret that. But I find listening to some tunes, chatting on social media, reading, or journaling feels so much more valuable.

There’s a pull to keeping up with a tv show that makes me feel inconvenienced by unexpected delays or unmet schedules. It’s not worth it to me.

So many times I simply cast music unto my tv and held my sweet angel girl. Either while swaying in the middle of our rug or patting her back while reclined on the couch. That was the right choice for me.

5. Don’t skimp on carbs. Or treats.

The one thing that no one told me about after having a baby was the humongous appetite I would have! I only heard about the cravings and “eating for two.” Never understood it because I felt like I didn’t have room for food the bigger my baby grew.

But when my milk came in—whooo-we—all I wanted to do was eat eat eat! Sure you may be hoping to lose weight. But don’t skimp on carbs! You need the whole ones especially to produce milk if you’re nursing.

I’m a sucker for peanut butter and banana oatmeal every morning with black coffee. If I don’t start with this staple, I get physically weak!

And it’s OKAY to enjoy a treat every single single day. I got into the Panera’s coffee subscription habit for 3 months! I never found the perfect cup of iced coffee until then and enjoyed one every day with lunch and then for the rest of the afternoon. Some days I baked brownies or cookies and allowed myself to enjoy some each day until I didn’t seek for it.

I so looked forward to enjoying mini peppers and fresh pineapple every day and boy did I! And still do now as summer continues.

Focus on complete nutrition and honor your cravings. Your body knows what it needs.

6. Do one thing of significance

I’m going out on a limb here. Everything a mom does is significant, noticed or not. From the dishes, dinner, breakfast, trash, laundry, picking up toys, etc.

To feel productive, I determined to do one thing each day that I don’t usually do. Like organize a dresser, the pantry, the junk drawer, etc. Just one. And it made me feel like I accomplished something great that day. Besides taking care of a child I birthed into the world!! Hello.

7. Take lots of pictures!

Whether it’s the first, second, or third etc., child take pictures with the other siblings. And remember to be IN the pictures! Even when you can’t remember when you last washed your hair or if you didn’t put on mascara. When you scroll back one day (might be just a month from now) you will only remember the good parts. I promise. But even if you still feel the not so great ones, you will realize they weren’t so bad.

8. Drink water!!

I keep one full cup in the bathroom and one in the kitchen. That way there’s one always ready to drink and one-handed. I will often be passing the kitchen island and frequenting the bathroom so the placement of strategic.

I hope you come away feeling hopeful. These were in no way placed in order by priority. They’re ALL important!

Congratulations on your new baby! And I wish you the best. Remember, everyone will have advice to give you–hey, I just did–but take it all with a salt shaker and apply what works for you. There’s really no wrong way to mom.