Leaving the hospital can be very intimidating, I remember thinking to myself with my firstborn, “Wait! You are letting me leave with this baby, but I’ve never done this before.” I had taken all of the classes available at my hospital but still felt like I had no idea what I was doing, and honestly sometimes still feel this way. Now that I have had my second, I decided to compile a list of things that helped me survive the first week.

Tip #1 Ask For Help, If You Need It

They say it takes a village and it does but that doesn’t mean that the village is what you need the first week home from the hospital. Decide beforehand if you want or need to have help and make sure you and your partner are on the same page. Communicate this early on so that your family and friends know what to expect. Now just because you make a decision before the baby comes doesn’t mean that you can’t change your mind. If you didn’t want to have help but realize that you need it, ask for it. If you thought you wanted help but are overwhelmed and don’t want visitors or help, speak up. Either way, this is your life and your family, it is your decision. This is especially true when it comes to your mental health. Please make sure that if you think you are experiencing PPD (Postpartum Depression) that you talk to your support groups and Doctor about it.

Tip #2 No Two Babies Are The Same

Repeat after me, “No two babies are the same.” Now say it again. There is a wealth of information out there in blogs, articles, books, social media, support groups, and the list goes on. As you start this new adventure of becoming a parent, remember that no two babies are the same. Just because this blog/article/friend/family member, you fill in the blank said this or did this, doesn’t mean that you need to or that whatever they said or did is going to work for your baby. There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to parenting, so be patient with yourself and your baby. This point is very very important… try your best to not compare your child to another. Children hit milestones or leaps at different times and that is okay. If you are ever concerned with where your child is at compared to another, talk to your pediatrician about it.

Tip #3 Take Time For Yourself, The Dishes Can Wait

I know that it is tempting when your baby is sleeping for you to get up and do some housework but I promise the dishes can wait. Your baby and family need you to be the best version of yourself you can be so if that means napping, taking a shower, eating, or whatever it is that you need to do to feel like your best self at that moment, do that. If the dishes are really bothering you then feel free to do them or pick up some paper plates, bowls, and plastic silverware to help reduce the number of things that are on your plate.

One thing that is still is very hard for me but is super important is for you to take some time for yourself, even if it is watching a little tv, running to the grocery store, or simply taking a quick drive by yourself. If you have someone who can watch the baby, that you trust, take the opportunity to go grab a coffee at Starbucks or get your nails done. You will miss your little one every second you are gone but it is important for you to take care of yourself so that you can be the best Mama to your little one(s).

Tip #4 Simplify Where You Can

You are going to experience exhaustion like you never have, especially the first week home from the hospital. You are going to be desperate for some sleep and at times you will feel like you are at your breaking point. Take a deep breath and remember that this is just a period of time that will pass and it will get easier. Simplify where you can. With both of my children, it was easier for me to just walk around the house in my pajama pants and nursing bra…. so that is what I did. I also had a diaper organizer that I would carry from room to room with me so that I didn’t need to get up to change my baby, I could do it anywhere. As mentioned above, I bought paper plates and bowls to limit the number of dishes that needed to be done. Do what you can to make things simple the first couple of weeks.

Tip #5 Take One Day At A Time

Parenting is hard work so please take one day at a time! This is also the approach I take with breastfeeding. Be patient with yourself, your partner, your baby, and other children. Parenting is the most amazing and important job you will ever have but it is not easy and at times you may feel like a failure but know that you aren’t, you are human and are trying your very best.