Are you preparing for a holiday baby? Girl, I did it, and I know it's not easy. You find yourself either huge and uncomfortable or newly delivered and still having to do the holiday things. It's not easy to be a mom, is it? I've found no matter when you are due, preparing for a new baby is a task better done than left to the wayside. Trust me though, don't dawdle if your baby is due near Christmas! It's mid-November now, and you better get cracking. I've included a FREE checklist to help you stay on track and so that pregnancy brain doesn't have you like….duh!
Why I am here and who I am:
Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society, a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey!
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Plan, Plan, and more Plan!
Grab a journal or a planner and jot down in random order all that you need to accomplish to prepare for a holiday baby. This includes cleaning the house, getting baby's clothes ready, cooking the meals for a holiday, and buying baby gear. OK, I know if you follow me, you know I'm obsessed with Bullet Journaling right now. But Girl, you should try it. It's therapeutic at best! But before this obsession, I was and always will be a list maker. Make your list and check it twice is my motto.
So get cracking on these lists for preparing for a holiday baby!
Christmas Cards:
Have these bought, filled out, addressed and stamped by the end of November.
Holiday Meals:
Make out your shopping list of ingredients for your holiday meals and treats. Buy all the pantry ingredients and store well ahead. If possible make some of the holiday dishes, special treats ahead of time and freeze them.
Christmas Gifts:
Buy all of these, wrap them and label them by the end of November. Don't forget your stocking stuffers. We wrap each stocking stuffer and put them in a labeled grocery bag with the candy. Christmas eve, I sneak down, dump the bag into the stocking and sneak but upstairs!
Related post: The Ultimate Toys for Toddler Boys
Freezer Meals:
Nothing says prepared better that having meals made ahead. You may have a community of friends who bring meals after a baby, and that's awesome. However, keep in mind that having a holiday baby is a game changer. People are busy and may not be as ready to sign up. Plan to make about 14-20 freezer meals so that you won't stress about daily meals. Pinterest is FULL of make-ahead freezer meals or check these out these freezer meal plans and let them do the work for you! I did this, and it was awesome. I also bought pizzas from Aldi and froze those. Don't forget to add some easy to make meals to the pantry for your hubby to handle all on his own.
Cleaning schedule:
Map out a plan to get your house together. It doesn't need to be perfect. Just enough to get you through the birth and postpartum period. Do some of those big things before the Holidays hit!
Check out this Post about getting your house ready for the Holiday!
Being prepared for your postpartum period is vital to having a peaceful experience. I won't go into all my recommendations here but head over and read this informative post I wrote on the subject!
Breastfeeding Prep:
I am a major advocate of breastfeeding, but if you aren't planning to breastfeed, skip this part then. Preparing for a holiday baby includes preparing for breastfeeding is super duper important for your experience. Breastfeeding doesn't always come easy, and it can be downright near frustrating for the best of people. I wrote a long post of the first feed after birth, and you can head over to read it in its entirety but are my key points.
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- You have what it takes for the first breastfeeding after birth.
- Colostrum is the original superfood made for your offspring by your body.
- Insist on skin to skin immediately after birth (unless there is a complication)
- Get comfortable and support your arms.
- Position newborn to face your breast.
- A latch is crucial so don’t compromise.
- Take an online class or a class at your local hospital!
Get your Newborn Gear together girl!
You don't need a ton, but you do need some essential items. Talk to other mothers and your momma about what is most important. You will probably buy some stuff that you decide later wasn't worth it, but that's ok!
Related Post: Must Have Baby Items
Baby doesn't need Christmas Presents:
I know, I know, but indeed the baby doesn't need anything! Resist and spend the money on you and your hubby. You can spoil the heck out of your little one next Christmas! Spend that money on a Prenatal Massage!
Pick a Baby Name:
Preparing for a baby does include deciding on a baby name. We've done the work for you and made a few lists:
Plan and Prepare your Birth your way:
Everyone who follows my blog knows I am a nurse who advocates for her patients birth. I want it to be an experience, not a medical visit. This starts with education and preparation. If you wing it, you will be susceptible to being directed down a path you don't want.
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- Prepare your body for labor.
- Understand the stages of labor, so you don't freak out.
- Do your best to prevent vaginal tearing!
- Know the six signs of Labor!
- Understand what's happening if they induce you!
- MAKE A BIRTH PLAN! Check this one out from my fellow labor nurse over at A Life in Labor! It is even customizable!
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Friends, I hope that this helps you in preparing for your baby this Holiday season. (Or anytime!) Hang around and check out some other posts! Show us some love and leave a comment!
