And just like that, Caleb is a month old. Sometimes it feels like he was just born, and sometimes it feels like we’ve had him forever. Crazy, huh?
Having a newborn is amazing. It’s really, really hard, but amazing. I am so thankful the Lord chose us to be parents before we ever thought we would.
There were quite a few things I did every day to help keep my sanity during the first month after Caleb was born. Most days I did it by myself, and no one was around to help me. But sometimes my mom, mother in law, or grandma were around to give me time to myself, and for that, I am very grateful! My grandmother warned me about Postpartum Depression (or Baby Blues, as she calls them), and since I’ve had a history of anxiety problems, I really didn’t want to get PPD. (I wasn’t worried, but I believe doing these “normal” things helped keep my sanity!)
#1- Shower every day! No, seriously. I’m not kidding. All these people warned me that I would go days, even weeks, without showering. I know they were kidding, kind of, but I was determined not to do that. Something about getting clean just makes you feel better about yourself and more person-like. Yes, I even showered the day Caleb was born.
#2- Change out of your pajamas. Even if it’s into yoga pants or lounge pants, get out of the clothes you slept in. It’ll make you feel better, I promise.
#3- Stretch & lightly exercise. I started this after about three days PP. Just start with light stretches, then add walking, or easy floor exercises to help those muscles go back into place.
#4- Chose one chore (or two) to get done. Okay, so I’m a neat freak. I h-a-t-e seeing my house dirty and a mess. By the third week PP I was keeping the house like normal, but the first two weeks I just focused on one or two things to get done the whole day. Like, wash the dishes or sweep the floor.
#5- Eat & drink lots. Seriously, eat tons of healthy food. That’s why I love the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle, because if I felt like I needed carbs, I ate healthy carbs, and if I needed both fats and carbs, I did that too! But really, you need to eat and DRINK lots to keep your body healthy and your milk supply up.
#6- Rest. Don’t overdo it. I have a problem with that. Because Postpartum Depression is a very real thing, and I didn’t want to get it, I didn’t rest unless I felt like I needed it. Making me be in bed/on the couch for 6 weeks resting would have sent me straight into a bad case of PPD. Just saying. Definitely rest, but only when you need it.
#7- Get outside (if the weather’s nice). With the baby or without the baby. Doesn’t matter. Although, the sun would do Baby good, too. Some days we both spent time outside, and sometimes I just sat on the back porch during nap time, enjoying the quiet.
#8- Play music. I love music, so during Caleb’s “awake and happy” times, we listened to hymns the whole time. I sang along, and he enjoyed the music and me being silly (although, that probably won’t last long! Ha).
#9- Use Young Living Oils. Seriously. They are so versatile! And perfectly safe for my little one’s skin. We loved using them for all kinds of normal PP & newborn issues, and diffusing them for uplifting spirits. So thankful for them!
What would you add to the list? What helped you through the first month Postpartum?
wildandfreehomestead.com 
I would love a post where you share what oils you use on Caleb! 🙂
I plan on doing that soon! 🙂
These are all really great points. I know I have had PPD quite a lot after my pregnancies. I would recommend confiding in girl friends when you get down or your mom or someone you’re really close too and call them up and let them know you need encouragement. I know so many times I didn’t do that but God brought them to me anyway and what a blessing it was to have people tell you they are praying for you and will help get you out of that sadness and get your mind on what really matters. Its a sweet blessing in disguise. And sometimes just calling people up or messaging them will result in maybe them needing you for encouragement. So many other times I called or texted others they were needing encouragement too, so it took my mind off of me, and onto someone else in need. That really does help too.