Worried About Keeping Your Friends When You Have A Newborn?
Accept Help From Your Friends When They Offer
They have put together casseroles and lasagnas that you can put in your freezer. They want to come over to help. You and your partner probably will be so drained in the first few weeks that you won’t even feel like showering, forget going out. So let your friends bring over these meals. It is perfectly fine for one of you to sleep or feed the baby while the other one chats with your friends. They get that. Socializing does not mean that you have to put a lot of effort into entertaining anyone. Have some tea or coffee together with your friends while your partner rests or feeds the little one. Your friends will be willing to help by taking pictures during these encounters and posting them to Facebook. By doing this, they help you stay in touch with the outside world. When my two-year-old was born, she was in the neonatal intensive care unit for ten days because of a blood infection. We were worried wrecks, but having my friends come over to help with food was comforting, and we were grateful for them.
Outside Support will Help you Catch up on your Rest
Remember to express your gratitude for all this support. You can do this by email, or by facebooking. You don’t have to let people know how busy or tired you have been (they already know), just tell them how much their thoughts and prayers have meant to you while you are getting settled. They understand, and they are being paid in pictures, post cards and emails. Being rested will help you get back into the shower and out into the real world. You may consider going one at a time, but after about two weeks, there is no real reason to leave baby at home.
Going Out With Baby – Get the Diaper Bag Ready
Get your rest and take your vitamins, or you won’t feel like going out. New parents are notoriously lax in their sleep and nutrition habits. To ensure you get enough rest – set up a feeding and sleeping schedule, taking turns and taking care that your partner is well rested. To ensure that your nutrition is sound, drink plenty of water, keep some fresh fruits and veggies in the house and take a multivitamin, preferably one with a B-complex. When you are ready to go out with friends, be prepared by making a list of things you need and stocking your diaper bag before you go.
Checklist of things to take with you on a >trip with your newborn