Three weeks ago I gave birth to our second baby and we’ve been slowly adjusting to life with two children and finding our way.
Three weeks ago I gave birth to our second baby and we’ve been slowly adjusting to life with two children and finding our way.
We had nothing to compare this experience to. So, much like when our first son came along, we’ve been learning on the go. There are five years between our children so it very much feels like starting from scratch again.
Two weeks of paternity leave was amazing but in a strange way, it almost made it harder to manage the two of them on my own when my husband returned to work. I had become so used to him being around that it was a complete shock to the system when he wasn’t. Suddenly I was outnumbered and needed an extra pair of hands to stay on top of even the most basic things.
Over the last week or so I’ve found a couple of products, ritual and steps that have made things a lot more manageable for me. Getting out of the house in the morning and doing simple household chores require a whole new level of military precision but some of these things have made the world of difference. They have also made the transition easier for our son who is experiencing a massive life change since his baby sister came along.
With my first son I wanted to do it all and be it all but this time I am much more willing to accept any help that is offered.
Here are some of the hacks that are helping me juggle life with a new baby.
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Showers
Leave showers until the evening time when someone else is around to hold the baby. In my case, this is my husband. There is no point even attempting a shower in the mornings because everything is far too busy and chaotic. I also find myself hearing phantom baby cries from the shower even if my baby (who is in the next room) is fast asleep. Leaving my shower until the evening means my husband can manage things while I have a bit of me-time after a long day.
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Newborn wrap.
A stretchy newborn wrap has been an absolute lifesaver for me. I’ve always been a big fan of slings and baby carriers but I never had a newborn wrap and I can’t believe how wonderful they are. Baby is snug and content while your hands are free meaning you can stick on a wash, make dinner or give your other child some much needed one-on-one time throughout the day. I couldn’t be without it these days.
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Handy dinners.
The best gift I received when our baby was born was a little variety of dinners from a local craft butcher. My mother in law picked us up a Lasagne, a cottage pie and a curry to name but a few. It means that for a solid two weeks I had dinners I could just bung into the oven without having to worry about chopping, peeling or prepping anything. I will 100% be doing this for any friends that have babies as it meant that we ate proper meals without the stress of having to cook them.
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Simplify your cleaning routine.
Antibacterial cleaning wipes have come to the rescue so many times in the last few weeks. My cleaning routine (and standards) have gone out the window but I cannot relax if the house is dirty. Wipes have been the ultimate compromise. I can whiz around the house cleaning the bathrooms and surfaces in a matter of minutes.
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Love Island.
Honestly having a show to watch in the evenings has made such a difference to my emotional well-being. After a long day, I just adore snuggling up in my PJs with a cup of tea, a bit of chocolate and my husband’s company. The older kid is in bed asleep and the baby is feeding or lying on my chest. It’s a little slice of heaven and feels like a lovely way to reconnect at the end of each day.
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A car mirror.
Driving anywhere can be really stressful particularly if your baby is not a fan of the car seat. We picked up a mirror that goes in front of the car seat (from Amazon) and it’s made car journeys so much easier. I can see her face and have that reassurance that she is OK while I’m driving my son to school in the mornings.
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Accepting help.
With my first son I wanted to do it all and be it all but this time I am much more willing to accept any help that is offered.
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Practicing mindfulness.
This has been truly amazing. Focusing on staying in the moment and taking things as they come has really helped me manage the anxiety that can come with having a new baby. One day at a time.