The First Weeks With Your Newborn: Survival Tips!
I am not going to lie, for me, those first weeks with my newborn were HARD! I wasn’t getting any sleep, my hormones were all out of whack, and I was adjusting to being responsible for another life for the very first time. It was tough but I hope using my struggles to create this post on how to survive the first weeks with your baby, will help other new moms!
I was prepared for the lack of sleep, I had been warned about that, but I was shocked by the emotional roller coaster that followed after childbirth. I have never been so happy, and yet so sad at the same time! I definitely had a case of the Baby Blues during those first weeks with my newborn.
The first weeks of motherhood were filled with happiness and joy, but at times were also overwhelming and exhausting. Here are some things that helped me survive! I hope these tips help you through the first weeks with your newborn too!
Click here for CHECKLISTS that will guide you through your pregnancy!
Netflix
Artie was born during flu season so he had to stay secluded for his first two months. There is only so much you can talk about with a newborn, so Netflix helped me pass the time. I found it especially helpful during long nursing sessions!
Don’t feel guilty for watching a little TV during those first weeks with your baby. I binge watched every episode of Parenthood! It’s a great show for new moms to watch! What other shows would you recommend for moms during the first weeks with their newborns?
Sleep When Your Baby Sleeps
Some moms say this isn’t possible because there are things to do around the house, but for me it isn’t possible to do things around the house on three hours of sleep! During those first weeks, my baby had his days and nights mixed up, so he was up all night and took long naps throughout the day.
After a few days without sleep I realized I couldn’t do it all.. at least not without some rest. I knew I had to find a solution that worked for us, because if I continued not sleeping I would be too exhausted to care for my baby. That’s when I started sleeping when Artie slept.
When he woke up in the morning, I would bring him downstairs to our living room and set up the couch with pillows and blankets so I could nap when he did. I would keep going back to sleep every time he did until I felt like a human again!
The key to surviving the first weeks with your newborn is taking care of yourself, too! With a little rest I was able to get my chores done in the afternoon and felt so much more refreshed!
Crock-pot
Cooking is usually all about timing but those first weeks with your baby can be unpredictable! I would start dinner in the crock-pot when Artie was napping and at night we had a few hours time frame that we could enjoy dinner.
All you need is something simple like this. Just set it and forget it! (I use these crock pot covers for easy cleanup!)
Accept Help
I have always been someone who likes to do things on my own but if there was ever a time to accept help, it’s during those first weeks of motherhood! Let your family and friends watch your baby so you can actually take a shower. Trust me, you will feel so much better!
Even a simple offer to change a diaper can make a difference during those first weeks with your baby. That is one less diaper for you to change! That diaper could be the last thing standing between losing your sanity or not! (just kidding… kind of)
Get Out of the House
I have never felt more free than I did on that first trip to the grocery store. I rolled my windows down and turned the radio up! I never thought a trip to the grocery store would feel like a vacation.
True, it’s hard to be away from your baby, but you will feel so refreshed afterward and will be SO happy to have him back in your arms! Even if you just take a walk outside, it’s important to get out of your house. The change of scenery is just what you need during those first weeks with your newborn!
Sometimes, as new moms, we get so wrapped up in taking care of our baby that we forget to take care of ourselves. Make time for yourself, you won’t regret it!
Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a new mom’s best friend, especially during the first weeks with your baby! It’s hard to feel like yourself when you don’t have time to shower, but a little dry shampoo and running a brush through your hair can work wonders!
I have tried at least ten different kinds of dry shampoo and I absolutely love this brand! Unlike most dry shampoos, it sprays on colorless, without leaving behind any white residue. It also adds volume so your hair will look AMAZING in any style! If all else fails just throw on a hat!
Mom Friends
What helped me more than anything was talking to other moms. Those first few weeks with my newborn were some of the most exciting, yet challenging weeks of my life and it really helped having someone who could relate.
Open up about how you are feeling because they probably felt the same way! Whether it’s your own mom or friends with kids, they will help you feel less alone on this crazy journey called motherhood!
Enjoy The Newborn Snuggles!
The newborn phase, although it may not feel like it at the time, is such a short phase. Before you know it, your newborn will be a walking, talking, toddler!
Enjoy getting to know your baby because these months will fly by! Take tons of pictures and snuggle every chance you get! Your baby is only a newborn once so take a deep breath and recognize what a fantastic job you are doing!!!
I would love to hear how you made it through those first weeks with your newborn! Let me know all about it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this article check out Your Baby’s First Year: What To Expect, a MUST READ for new moms!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. To receive free shipping on Amazon purchases sign up for an Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial!
Love this. Accepting help was the hardest thing for me. I felt like I needed to be Super Mom and do it all on my own but that led to me being exhausted and very emotional. Accept help and ask for help!
Thanks Olivia!
I experienced these feelings with each of my 3 children. I actually discovered blogs after having my 2nd child as I nursed or rocked her to sleep. I remember using my iPod (if that’s still a thing) because it was a handheld device to read blogs. At that time, I had a 2-year-old, so she watched a lot of Netflix if I fell asleep on the couch. Ha!
That’s exactly why I started ArtiesMom.com! Reading blogs from other moms really helped me through those first few months! I hope my blog will to the same for other moms! Thanks for sharing!
These are great tips! The hardest for me was napping when baby naps….but you will better if you do.
Yes this was one of the hardest for me at first but I felt so much better when I did!
Love! Those six weeks were hard, but mine was low first 8 weeks!
Thanks!
Mom friends is my top one as I have so many new mommy questions in the middle of the night and most of them are thankfully online. Add in a little mix of Netflix too.
Yes! Mom friends are the BEST!
I can’t stress all your tips enough. After arriving home you just want to relax.. With a newborn baby, your lucky if you can comb your hair.
SO TRUE!!!
Great tips for a new momma. I am done having babies now and had 2 children during flu season. Your tips a great.
Thanks!
Expecting my second in early January, and although I’ve done this before, these tips are a great reminder! Accepting help was my challenge the first time around. I’m planning to do much more of it this time. Great tips!
I agree! Accepting help was so hard for me but once I did life with my little one became so much easier. Thanks for sharing!
Mama, you are SERIOUSLY speaking my mind! What a true article! I felt the same way.. all of it! The first six weeks are challenging and you share wonderful tips to get through!
Thank you so much! I am happy to hear I’m not the only one 🙂
This is so practical! As a new mama with a baby on the way, I really appreciated this post. Crock pot for the win!
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it!
Yes to the Rock and Play AND dry shampoo! I also made a playlist on my phone for nighttime feedings because I struggled with those. These are great tips for new moms – especially connecting with other moms. My new mama group was a life saver the first time around.
I love that idea! Nighttime feedings during those first 6 weeks are rough!
Both of my kids were born during cold and flu season! It is hard feeling cooped up but not wanting to expose them to germs. Sometimes just hopping in the car and going through Starbucks drive thru is enough to make you feel human without exposing the little one to germs (Why do people feel like they can touch your baby!?!? I will never understand).
Yes! Flu season is the absolute worst
I cannot agree enough with the very first thing on your list! Netflix was a lifesaver for those nighttime feedings. One of my pieces of advice for new moms is to pick out at least one show they’re really interested in and ONLY watch it during feedings. It makes it so much easier to get up in the middle of the night if you know you get to watch the next few minutes of your show!
That’s a great idea!
YES! I did all of the above. Netflix being the biggest lifesaver 😉
Thanks for your input. I wish I had read more blogs about things to do before baby arrives
Netflix!! Thanks!
Thank you for putting realistic advice – these items all make sense and are pretty much attainable to all mothers more or less. It was helpful reading these knowing I can try them all.
Thank you! I’m glad you found them helpful!