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Before we get started, I want to acknowledge and fully appreciate the privilege and financial freedom I have to allow these things to be an option for me. I know not everyone has the ability or access to these and I am so grateful that I do. Additionally, I am not a doctor, therapist or medical professional. Please talk to your doctor before starting any medication, changing any medical treatments or diets.
The first 6 months of motherhood were HARD. I’m talking, how do I do this?, am I crazy?, how do I go on? HARD. People tell you that it’s going to be difficult but you really don’t know until you’re in the thick of it. Here are the 7 things that made the first 6 months a little easier. I hope these help you if you’re in the middle of the craziness of it too!
1) A Lactation Consultant
I had a really tough time with breastfeeding and milk production. Lincoln had a tongue tie which made things worse. At about 3 weeks my husband said that we should call the lactation hotline they gave us at the hospital. After 1 phone call, we were recommended to go see a consultant in person. Enter my angel, Barbara. We saw her for the first 15 weeks of Link’s life and she helped me increase my milk production, get Link a better latch and help me feel confident with my nursing. We were lucky to get this completely covered by insurance which was amazing. If you are struggling ask your doctor about lactation. You can also check out these ladies on instagram: @bemybreastfriend & @pump_mama_pump.
2) A Coffee Maker
Yoooooooooooooo. Real talk, I barely drank coffee before motherhood and now I need a cup every morning. Is it a good habit? Probably not. But it’s a necessity. I went with the this one and I’m obsessed. I love trying out new pods (these are my fav). It’s so easy to use and easy to order new pods. My only negative is that it’s hard to find the pods in stores and I have to order online through the Nespresso app. Of course, you do not have to be as fancy as I am with an espresso maker- a good ol’ coffee pot will do as well!
3) A Cleaning Service
We got a housekeeper during my pregnancy but we only had her come once a month or once every other month. We upped it to every other week once I gave birth. Best. Decision. Ever. Brandon and I (and our Roomba) are pretty good at keeping the house picked up but having someone come and get the deep cleaning handled is a game changer. There’s so many other things to worry about with a new baby and having a house keeper took one thing off that list.
4) Dry Shampoo
Now is a great time to test out dry shampoos and find out your favorite because you are going to be going through a lot of it. My combo? This and night and this in the morning!
5) Daycare
I. LOVE. DAYCARE. I learned pretty quickly that stay at home mom life wasn’t for me. If it’s for you, that’s awesome! I celebrate you! But for me I knew that I needed at least a couple of days a week that I could focus on other things (like work haha). I am so lucky to be in a financial place where I can work part time and send my kiddo to daycare. Bonus my daycare is 3 houses down from my house on the cul-du-sac. Seriously it’s a dream.
6) Medication
I had heard about postpartum depression, but I wasn’t depressed. I was stressed but I just kept thinking that this is how it is. Sleep deprivation is real. Overwhelm and burn out are real. I had support from my husband, family and friends. I even was still seeing my regular therapist. Then I had 2 panic attacks. I learned about postpartum anxiety, something that I had never heard of. I talked to my therapist, husband and doctors and my team and I decided that medication was the right way to go. If you’re struggling, please know you’re not alone. If you think there’s even a 0.0001% chance that you might be suffering from PPD or PPA, I highly encourage you to talk to your doctor ASAP. My medication has been life changing for me and has allowed me to stay more present when I’m with my son.
YOU. GOT. THIS.
