Life Rhythms - Dance & Doula Services - Jaime Emond

Let’s remember to take care of the Moms ❤️

Lots of greats ideas 💡

#mummybloggeruk #babyactivities #baby #mumlife #babyshower #mummyblogger #montessori #activitiesforbabies #babydevelopment

This sound wonderful!

Cutest photo 🥰

Picture of the day

❤️ these

The second night after birth is one of those things that I really wish someone had told me about.

On their first night earthside our babies tend to be pretty tired after the effort of being born and sleep pretty hard. And then the second night comes. Your baby will not will not come off the breast and is suddenly using all the force of their new-found voice if you do bring them away. You feed and feed and feed them and you’re so so tired but nothing seems to satiate them.

This is the infamous second night, something almost all breastfed babes initiate us with but so quickly seems to get forgotten once it’s over.

Some mistake it for our babies calling in our milk, while it may lead us to think our babies are really just so hungry. But actually, this is just the super normal reaction of your baby realising their surroundings, finding cold and quiet and unknown where there was once a warm and cosy womb, and finding comfort in the only home they’ve ever known; you.

And though it’s totally normal if we don’t know what to expect, if we don’t know that it is SO normal, it can quickly undermine our confidence as new mothers. Our babies seem hungry, we may worry our milk isn’t enough, and it undermines that new breastfeeding relationship.

Instead, here’s how to survive the second night:

• Set yourself up for success. Get your partner or support people to set up a little sanctuary with a lamp, snacks, heaps of water and a thermos of tea to keep you going through a long night

• Side-lying feeding. If you feel safe and comfortable, give side-lying feeding a go so that you can hopefully get some sleep or at least rest your arms and body while your baby feeds (and feeds and feeds)

• Skin-to-skin. Staying close with baby will allow them to stay regulated and close to your heartbeat, and as womb-like as possible.

• Listen to your intuition. Sometimes there are issues with feeding, these things happen, and you can seek help if it feels like something isn’t right.

And lastly, no matter what, no matter how wild the second night may feel, the sun will rise and morning will come. I promise.

I mean, if it works … lol

No 💜

A friendly reminder.

“No” is a complete sentence.

• “No, we aren’t up for guests”

• “No, we aren’t up for leaving the house yet”

• “No, we don’t want to host any events”

• “No, I’m not up to you bringing your children over for a visit”

• “Yes, we would love a porch drop of snacks!”

• “Yes, we will update you when we are ready to have you over!”

• “Yes, we would love if you dropped off dinner!”

Balance.

Be wise about who you allow into your space.

These days are never replicated. Ever.

You have a 1 week old for 1 week.

It. Goes. So. Fast.

Ask for help from safe helpers.

Lower your expectations.

Rest and nap when you can.

Enjoy all the best baby snuggles.

💜💜💜

Such an important reminder!

When can I come see the baby?”⁠
A question new moms might hear over and over.⁠
At least at first. ⁠
⁠
Sometimes before she has left the hospital.⁠
Before she has had a chance to sleep.⁠
Before she has even showered off the blood.⁠
“When can I come see the baby?”⁠
⁠
Her phone dings while she settles back in to her home with a brand new human - to her brand new normal.⁠
Her oestrogen and progesterone levels are plummeting from the highest they’ve ever been to the lowest. She is shaky and hot and cold and sweaty and weak.⁠
Whether she chooses to breastfeed or not, her milk is coming in and she is sore and engorged.⁠
Whether she delivered vaginally or by c-section, her uterus will be contracting for days and weeks. Sometimes it’s as painful as labor.⁠
She’s bleeding and will continue to bleed for up to six weeks post-delivery.⁠
Her crotch is swollen and puffy and sore, or her incision is painful, or both.⁠
⁠
She is struggling to go to the bathroom - and she p*es her pants (or pad) when she laughs, sneezes, and coughs.⁠
Her core muscles are weak, making lifting ANYthing hard.⁠
She’s starving. Endlessly starving.⁠
She has stretch marks and varicose veins, hair loss and acne, blurry vision and dry eyes. She sees a stranger in the mirror.⁠
⁠
She is totally and utterly exhausted. She hasn’t slept for more than an hour at a time in days or weeks.⁠
Any independence she had - to run errands, go to work, shower, eat, p*e, sleep - has been suspended for now.⁠
So when you walk into her house, look at HER first.⁠
Give her space to heal, to bond, and to rest if she needs it.⁠
Be there if she needs it.⁠
⁠
Offer to help her.⁠
And then help her.⁠
Admire the baby, sure.⁠
But don’t forget to nurture the mother."⁠
⁠
Words ⁠
Photo