1st week of Postpartum: What I learned

I am going to start by saying shout out to the single mothers, fathers, parent/guardian doing this on their own! Seriously, God bless you! Anywho, let’s jump right in before my kid wakes up and harasses me for my boobs. Lol! While I was pregnant so many mommies told me “this or that” would happen. I even had mommies tell me “people are going to tell you how to do things but just do whatever works best for you”. My thoughts: “I was gone do that anyway, cause that’s how I am.” Haha.

So, I just wanted to write a quick post to share some of the things I’ve learned this past week. (Ryann is 1 week today. I’ve been a mom for a week already. Crazy right? I know!) I’m not saying these same things will happen when you become a mom or to do any of the things I’ve been doing. I just want to share what has been working for me so far.

1. COMMUNICATION: I found myself becoming so frustrated at first with my husband because I felt like damn! I have to stay awake all night to feed this kid. I have to change her diapers, try to do this or that, and you out here taking naps and getting sleep! UGH. And I said to myself, “you have not told or asked this man for help. You’re walking around trying to be supermom and getting upset because he’s human and can’t read your mind.” You know what, you’re right Kenniqua. Lol! I could tell he knew there was something wrong with me because before I could even say anything he asked what’s going on. I was stuck. And then I go *in an irritating voice* “I just feel like I can’t do anything. This house looks crazy. All I can do is feed the baby. Like this is just so much.” He goes “your job is to tell me what you need and that’s it. I’ll do it.” Well okayyyy. (Yasss that’s my husband and he’s pretty lit! Lol) Now, I’m not sure if going to the store to get me a milkshake is included in that, but I’m definitely going to try my luck. Lol! Serious note: Communicate with your significant other or whoever is helping you! Tell them what you need/want and ASK FOR HELP. If not, you’re going to drive yourself crazy thinking they’re supposed to read your mind. They won’t.
2. BEING OKAY WITH EVERYTHING LOOKING A MESS: You just had a whole baby. You’re probably not getting much sleep. (Especially if you’re breastfeeding and your kid decides to wake up more at night than she does during the day. CoughRyannCough Lol) Your body is not 100% back to normal yet. I’m sorry but those dishes in the sink, they can wait. Laundry? Yeah, no. Not this week. (Or once again – communicate with someone and ask them to do it!) Your hair, showering twice a day, everything you were doing before to keep yourself feeling/looking nice, it just doesn’t happen that way for everyone. At least not for me. But remember, it’s temporary! You’ll get back to yourself so don’t stress it. Just go with the flow!
3. NURSING BRAS AND NIPPLE CREAM, HYDROGEL, ICE, ANYTHING THAT MAKES YOUR NIPPLES FEEL BETTER: Boyyyy! Breastfeeding is HARD. But, women do it every day. And if it’s something you truly want to experience (and you’re able to because some moms aren’t) you MUST stick to it. At the hospital I was so close to giving up (deets coming soon in my birth story) but breastfeeding was literally all I talked about and wanted to do during my pregnancy. Once I got home, things got better. The initial latch still hurts like hell BUT like I said IT GETS BETTER. My cousin bought me nursing bras from Amazon. Being able to unhook them in the front makes breastfeeding so much easier! I’ve also been using the Bella B Nipple Nurture Butter and it’s seriously amazing! I apply it on my nipples every time I am done breastfeeding. You don’t even have to worry about wiping them off before breastfeeding again because all of the products are okay for baby! (I checked with my lactation consultant) I also bought some Medela Tender Care Hydrogel pads which are pretty cool too. In addition to those, a cold compress has been working as well. Here are the links to the products listed above:

• IT IS OKAY TO CRY/BE EMOTIONAL: I can count on one hand how many times I cried during pregnancy. But this week, it’s been rough man. Lol! You are responsible for a whole human being now. You don’t know what you’re doing. If you’re doing something wrong. If you’re doing it right. You just don’t know. It’s frustrating. It’s hard. Cry! It’s life. I had a breakdown in the middle of the night while I was feeding Ryann and watching Joel sleep. I wanted to sock him in the head. Lol! But no seriously, it is okay to cry!
• TRY TO FIND SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY: It could be anything! A TV show, food, whatever. What’s been keeping me going this last week? The way Ryann looks at me. It’s so weird when you’ve only had this little one for a week and you already feel like they know who you are. Joel would probably lie and say it’s not true but he’s lowkey jealous sometimes. And guess what? I’m taking it all in! Only because I know that at one point she’s going to be Daddy’s Little Girl and I’m going to be SICK! Lol! You’ve went months with this baby inside of you and now they’re here and healthy! Well, that right there should be enough to make you happy!

Of course, there’s so many other things you learn and go through during your first week. Sleep when the baby sleeps is another big one. I personally can’t give too much on that because let’s face it, it’s hard to sleep during the day and be up all night. Period. But, like I said, whatever works for you is what you should do! I just wanted to share the top 5 things I got out of my first week of postpartum. I would absolutely love for some mommies to share other things I should be looking forward to or suggestions for these next upcoming weeks.

As always, like, share, comment, email me if you have any questions or concerns!