Imagine you are finally home after the hospital and cradling a tiny human. Everything seems to be moving at warp speeds. It’s a blur of diapers and baby cries. Aunt Marge is giving you unsolicited advice. It’s like trying juggling flaming torch while on a bicycle. Welcome to postpartum Fully Healed Mama! Hey, it doesn’t have to look like a circus. We can talk about turning this rollercoaster to a more merry-go round.

Let’s first talk about sleep or lack thereof. It’s amazing how newborns can turn night into daylight. It’s like they’re little nocturnal beings who don’t understand human sleep patterns. A second pair of hands can come in handy. If you want to keep your sanity, it is important that you get some sleep.

The fuel that will keep us going when coffee is no longer enough. It might be difficult to cook right now. So why not start making friends with your freezer. You can save time by preparing meals before your baby is born. Better yet, ask friends and family members to deliver meals during the first few days. This will take one thing off your plate.

We must not forget the importance of emotional support. It is as vital as diapers for this journey. It can be difficult to transition from being a child to becoming a parent, even if you’re surrounded with people who care about you. A friend, or a mom’s group online can be a great outlet for your frustrations.

There are also chores to do! Are your dishes piling like Mount Laundry? No worries! You can be resourceful and lazy (or both) in this situation. Now is the time to enlist family members or friends for help with cleaning. You don’t have to worry about things being done perfectly (look at those mismatched socks).

What about self care? That unicorn that everyone is talking about, but it seems to be impossible to capture these days? Listen to me! Sneaking moments in for yourself can seem ridiculous amidst the diaper changes and schedules of feedings. It’s easier than you think to recharge your batteries with a quick shower or a cup of tea while grandma is holding baby.

You can’t give a mom-to-mom advice that will work for everyone, because babies don’t come with manuals. Some mothers thrive on structure, while others are like experienced surfers who ride unpredictable waves.

Finally, a little humor will go far in calming down the newborn chaos. It’s okay to laugh at silly parenting errors because they will become great stories down the road.

We’ve all experienced this! It’s possible to get through the early days of parenting with a sense of calm, even if it means enlisting some outside assistance.