Tis the season for overdoing “it!”
Family photo, Christmas 2020
Tips for new moms this holiday season.
My number one tip for this holiday season is TO take a nap!
This is your time to get some rest. I know it sounds crazy but you have the “get out of jail free card” - also known as a baby.
Knowing that you have family and friends visiting or maybe you’re visiting them, take the opportunity to slip away and a few minutes for yourself.
Your family can manage without you for an hour or 2 while you get some oh-so-much-needed rest.
2. Pump and Dump!
Enjoy yourself. It’s been a long year. If you’re a lover of rum and eggnog or maybe just a nice glass of chardonnay, treat yourself to a glass or three.
If you’re breastfeeding, be careful because you are extra thirsty.
When the twins were two months old I went out for a going away party with some co-workers to a beer market. I’m embarrassed to admit that I drank three pints of beer in record time. I did manage to make my boss cry over the beauty of children and the love you have for them (he has 2 kids).
Needless to say I had to do some pump and dumps. ..and I felt terrible for the next 2 days.
My takeaway from that experience was when you're breastfeeding you’re extra thirsty so make sure you drink lots of water…. not just the booze!
The general rule of thumb with alcohol and breastfeeding is to wait 2 hours after consuming one unit of alcohol before breastfeeding. My rule was to just pump and dump. You can actually smell the alcohol in your breastmilk. It’s kind of crazy!
3. Take it all in.
You may be overwhelmed, tired, hungry, even annoyed this holiday. But this moment will only happen once.
Your baby or babies will grow up. Your parents will one day not be with you and your siblings may move away.
The twins' first Christmas I was sleep-deprived and overwhelmed, but I felt so grateful for my family.
I sat at the head of the table, twin on either side of me in high chairs, and I just cried. Full on ugly crying.
My sister-in-law didn’t know what was wrong with me. I was overcome with gratitude for every person at the table. Postpartum can be its own animal of feelings, and that’s ok!
Family photo, Christmas 2019
