After weeks of questions from friends, acquaintances and strangers asking how I seem so ‘together’ weeks after having baby #2, I thought I’d share my tried-and-true tips for feeling fabulous, energized, looking decent and functioning ‘normally’ (if there is such a thing) almost immediately after-baby. (I also shamelessly promised to share these tips at the end of my previous post… which forces me to come up with something just for the sake of following through.) If you’re curious, read on. If not… stop here, roll your eyes and check back another day.
What you’re about to read is REAL: THIS IS MY TRUTH. I’ve personally done – or NOT done – the following activities not once but now twice in two years (with LadyP in 2010, and now with LilMiss) and got back to my pre-baby rockin’ and rollin’ self FAST. I’m talking getting back to work and going to parties FAST (within 3 weeks). Some of you won’t like. Some of you will judge. Some of you will think I’m nuts and/or completely delusional. Doing – or NOT doing – these things have made me feel happy, rested and in-control within weeks of having a baby… which has translated into very content little babies (so far). No, I don’t have nannies or maids (just a few family members close by)… which means the order of my household is up to me. These practices work for me. They might work for you too.
Here goes! My tricks for a sound mind, body and spirit during the first month: I don’t breastfeed or pump past the first 10 days (this is the core of it all… nursing sucks the energy of life from you, and that’ll leave anyone dead in the water for as long as they do it). I don’t waste precious time sterilizing bottles (Hubby says it’s not worth the effort because sterilizers don’t make things *truly* sterile anyways… and he should know given what he does for a living). I also don’t waste precious time heating up baby’s milk (room temperature works just fine). I depend on the pre-bought stockpiled food in my pantry and countless pre-made frozen casseroles (so that I don’t waste brain cells worrying about what the heck we’re going to eat for dinner the first few weeks after baby). I pretend I’m in a Broadway musical by singing songs with LadyP throughout the day (it boosts my mood). I do my own cleaning/housework relentlessly (constantly moving burns calories like you wouldn’t believe…. ALMOST getting me back into my old jeans… ALMOST). I wear a bellywrap or Spanx NONSTOP (24/7) the first month after giving birth to encourage my body to shrink back and suck everything in to the naked eye (giving the illusion that I’ve already lost extra pounds from pregnancy). I was mindful to gain the *suggested* 25-35lbs AND worked out my arms, legs and butt during pregnancy (to minimize excess inches around my middle post-baby). I drink as much coffee or Diet Coke as I need (or don’t need, on some days) to keep me doing what needs to get done. I move QUICKLY (every second counts). I tell myself to smile (it’s said that flexing the ‘smile’ muscles in your face trigger positive endorphins and natural painkillers). I remind myself that I’m one day closer to not having to get up in the middle of the night for newborn feedings. I look at my girls, think “How the hell did this happen” and giggle.
AND HERE’S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART: I repeat the same phrase over and over when I get frustrated or overwhelmed: “Bigger idiots than me have done this.”
For what it’s worth: I’m happy to serve as your idiot anytime.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP ON GOING?
DISCLAIMER: TheFabMom does not strive to offer medical advice. Content in this post – and other posts – are merely tales from the author based on her opinion and personal experience and are created for entertainment purposes only.
Tanya says
YAY! Thank you for saying out loud and proud that breastfeeding sucks the life out of you…although I’m still BFing my (almost) 8 month old (for a few feedings of the day anyway), I wish I knew of people who said it was OK to stop early on…b/c, well, it SUCKS in more ways than one. Thank you for an awesome post, brought a smile to my face…PS I have a sign on my wall at work that says “We will make it through this year if it kills us”. That and “bigger idiots…” get me through many a rough day 🙂
giltmom says
I do everything you say and have a 2 year-old and a 5 month old. My body is back, my mind comes and goes but I feel human most of the time. I love that you admit to stopping bf or pumping! Shopping also makes me feel good: http://www.giltmom.com/99599566
Jill Simonian says
YES!! And yes… that feeling “human” thing definitely is a nonstop theme with me too! I like to say we keep fighting the good fight! Power to us crazies. 🙂