Spending time preparing for birth often times takes up a majority of your head-space when you are expecting a baby. I've heard it from countless expectant parents, and it's really common to focus on how this person will leave your body.
One of the things I talk over with expectant families is planning for life after your baby is here. And a lot of the time, the focus is on the stuff. On one hand, you need stuff! You need diapers and clothing and blankets. It's also nice to have other items on hand, and that varies for every family. Speaking from experience, I totally understand the desire to feather your nest, stocking up on items you've never really considered before, adding items to your cart (real or virtual) that you just might need for your baby or postpartum needs.
Beyond the stuff, I often times inquire about other plans for support.
There's not a right answer to any of those inquiries; sometimes it just helps to begin a conversation.
I also encourage families to consider what already brings them peace in their home. What is important to you when you are recovering from an illness, injury or stressful time? Is there anything that makes that time more challenging? If so, is there anything you can plan for in advance to address this?
I remind families that what their life is in those first few weeks or months is not how it's going to be FOREVER. That's a good reminder for all of us! In times of challenge, it is not our forever. It's our right now and it's going to change. Also, what feels stressful for one family may not bother another family! It's all about meeting your needs as a new family.
Some options for how postpartum support can help:
Like I said, it looks different for everyone.
A new offering I have for Bloomington-based families is a 75 minute visit that addresses what YOU need so you can settle in and be with your baby. This is a great offering for families that may otherwise be planning on the other parent doing those tasks, because let's be honest, the other parent is also adjusting to the new normal and is probably sleeping less and doing more to support Mom & Baby.
Consider what would be helpful for another person to do, no strings attached! We can spend as much time talking and being with one another or you can be in another room while I work on the to-do list you've created or we've discussed beforehand. Imagine waking from a nap with your baby and seeing a cleaned kitchen and bathroom, the Diaper Genie is emptied and a snack plate is waiting for you.
Details:
One of the things I talk over with expectant families is planning for life after your baby is here. And a lot of the time, the focus is on the stuff. On one hand, you need stuff! You need diapers and clothing and blankets. It's also nice to have other items on hand, and that varies for every family. Speaking from experience, I totally understand the desire to feather your nest, stocking up on items you've never really considered before, adding items to your cart (real or virtual) that you just might need for your baby or postpartum needs.
Beyond the stuff, I often times inquire about other plans for support.
- When you arrive home from the hospital (or your home birth team has left), what do you envision?
- When it's time for a meal or mini-meal, what do you have to choose from?
- When you need to use the bathroom or the shower, what will you want to have nearby?
- Are there tasks in your home that will need to be tended to, and how do you expect that to happen?
- What are you expecting or wanting, in terms of visitors and supportive people?
- How will you balance having visitors with the needs for rest, feeding and being with your baby?
There's not a right answer to any of those inquiries; sometimes it just helps to begin a conversation.
I also encourage families to consider what already brings them peace in their home. What is important to you when you are recovering from an illness, injury or stressful time? Is there anything that makes that time more challenging? If so, is there anything you can plan for in advance to address this?
I remind families that what their life is in those first few weeks or months is not how it's going to be FOREVER. That's a good reminder for all of us! In times of challenge, it is not our forever. It's our right now and it's going to change. Also, what feels stressful for one family may not bother another family! It's all about meeting your needs as a new family.
Some options for how postpartum support can help:
- cutting up fruit & veggies, slicing cheese and arranging it with crackers and a dollop of peanut butter and prepping a fresh salad for later
- washing breast pump parts and bottles
- washing and replacing bed linens
- tidying up living space
- cleaning your bathroom and making sure it's stocked with your postpartum items
- refilling your water bottle and sitting with you on the couch while you snuggle baby, listening and talking
- taking out the garbage, scooping your cat's litter box, taking your dog for a walk
Like I said, it looks different for everyone.
A new offering I have for Bloomington-based families is a 75 minute visit that addresses what YOU need so you can settle in and be with your baby. This is a great offering for families that may otherwise be planning on the other parent doing those tasks, because let's be honest, the other parent is also adjusting to the new normal and is probably sleeping less and doing more to support Mom & Baby.
Consider what would be helpful for another person to do, no strings attached! We can spend as much time talking and being with one another or you can be in another room while I work on the to-do list you've created or we've discussed beforehand. Imagine waking from a nap with your baby and seeing a cleaned kitchen and bathroom, the Diaper Genie is emptied and a snack plate is waiting for you.
Details:
- Schedule an free interview to share what type of support you're seeking, sharing a loose idea of how often and when you may want to plan for support
- Once your baby is here, schedule one or more 75-minute visits and create a to-do list for me, noting what is priority for my visit
- Each 75-minute visit is $25
- Packages available: Buy 10 visits (total 13.75 hours), get one visit free ($275 regular/$250 special)
- Availability through May 15, 2020
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