Making life easier after baby is born

[Loobylou12]

Ok so all my friends/family are asking what to do when baby comes they are mostly a few hundred miles away.
My mum offered to pay for a cleaner once a week for a few weeks which seems a nice idea. Thinking of asking friends that live nearby to help me with the batch cooking. Anyone think of a a anything else that will make being new parents a little easier? Should add baby has LOTS of things so nothing needed x

I get terrible migraines through lack of sleep!! The first few weeks really took their toll. I tried to sleep when DD did but wasn't always practical/possible. I could only take paracetamol as I ebf and sone days I was barely functioning. Having someone you can call on to take dc out for a stroll in their pram, whilst you get some zzzz might be useful.

Online shopping was also a big help.

You have nice friends and family :)

If they are offering help, then by all means, accept - anything that makes your life easier in the beginning should be welcome! (speaking from experience, having had family who wanted to come late at night, and other weird times, and wake the baby etc etc. I would have loved some consideration!)

I think it is especially important to have 'me' time after a baby is born, eat healthy, sleep well, so you deal with everything as best you can - for me, lack of sleep was a killer!

one word: tortelloni.

I lived mainly on fresh pasta for weeks? months? it was all a blur. Also, flapjacks. Make, or ask a friend to make, a giant stack of flapjacks - great for a high-energy boost any time of day or night.

I lived abroad in an apartment complex. The greatest help for me was neighbours calling across the complex me and asking if I wanted some sleep, bath, tea, food etc and me being able to say yes now or in 2 hours.

I found people very helpful and I did learn to go with the flow. Despite the PITA as I'd had an EMCS and the lift in the complex broke!

I agree wholeheartedly with the advice you shoudl only accept help/ visitors if you want them.

My DD is 3 weeks old and my pfb. She was born on a Friday and DH was back at work on the Tuesday as its his own company so 2 weeks paternity leave just wasnt an option. My sister came for the day and to be honest other then going to Sainsburys for me, didn't do a huge amount I couldn't of done myself!

Its so lovely your friends and family are offering you help but you'll be surprised how much you can do yourself. On the Wednesday it was just the two of us from about 8:30 to 7:00 and I was able to shower, hair, make up, eat, drink, tidy up, put Hoover round, do washing and everything that my baby needed!

I still have things I batch cooked in the freezer as not needed them! You will do brilliantly just have confidence in yourself!

Yes, I do agree with what others have said - only accept help if you feel you need it!

There is nothing like people wanting to help, then just coming and wanting to hold the baby! :S

Also, I hope your birth goes well - I did find some basic things hard after my second birth, because of the way it went, but once you get past the initial stages, it becomes easier :)

Contrary to some posters (here are your medals!) I would accept any and all help that will make life easier and give you time to enjoy your bundle. Everyone feels different after giving birth and there is a chance you might feel quite rough (here's hoping not!) Good luck!