Dear New Mom: Your New Wardrobe (plus a giveaway)

Dear New Mama,

You sure are beautiful. Do you know that? You are absolutely doing the most effective, efficient, world-changing, life-altering job there has ever been or ever will be. You're not just taking care of a baby- you are raising a world changer.

Your job isn't just mother.

It's nutritionist

Chef

Sanitation specialist

Nurse

Doctor

Missionary

Teacher

Pastor

Preacher

& Friend.

So you may wonder what all this has to so with your new wardrobe? Well, what kind of uniform do you imagine a job that bears all the above responsibilities would look like? I'll save you the time it would take to do all the research and give you a rundown for your own sanity. I'll cover the first three months on the job, then give you my number one tip for after.

First 42 Days (weeks 1-6):

Yoga pants, a nursing tank and your husbands hoodie. These aren't just the digs of comfort- they're the garments of survival. If getting up in the morning takes more effort than your hardest day at your previous place of employment, wear this uniform with a sigh of relief. If you put your pants on backwards or forget to wear clean underwear (or any underwear at all since the laundry is still sitting, unwashed, in the hamper), don't even blink an eye- you're doing everything right!

Weeks (7-12):

The uniform above is allowed most days, but panties that make you feel like ten million bucks are now required 5 days a week under said garments. In addition, a pair of jeans that rock the house must be incorporated in your wardrobe during at least one outing a week.

You may have to purchase these new garments, since most mamas don't necessarily fit back into their pre-pregnancy clothes quite yet. Luckily one pair of jeans and three pair of panties won't put you in the poor house. AND PAY VERY LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE SIZE!!! That number can change, but for now it's totally okay.

Listen ladies, though we'll go more into detail about this in tomorrow's letters- the panties aren't just for your husbands sake- they're for yours too! You need to feel good about yourself, and pretty panties are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to start doing just that.

Months 3 and on:

Get dressed first thing in the morning, and love it (Don't be discouraged! It's possible!). With the help of the No Brainer Wardrobe this will become your normal routine. Not only will you spend just minutes picking out your outfit, but you'll look fabulous, you'll feel great, and you'll love your entire wardrobe more than ever!

Start reading this book as soon as you have time. Luckily, it's a really fun and easy read. And at just $7.99 it's a cinch to add to your collection too*! I should add, this isn't required reading, per se. But it's one of the best resources you'll ever get your hands on as a new mom, wife and woman. If you want to feel great in your post-baby body, read this. ASAP.

That's it today, sweet mama. Don't be discouraged, and don't be too hard on yourself. This stage of life is difficult, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Pay attention to the things you love, and don't bother investing emotion on things that are less than savory.

Sincerely,

Carrie,

A former New Mom

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* Don't have $7.99 in the budget? You're in luck! I've recently purchased a second copy of the No Brainer Wardrobe just to give away to one of you! You have two ways to enter.

1) Go check out this video then tell me why you'd like to read the No Brainer Wardrobe in the comments below.

2) Tweet using hash tag #20-SomethingHomemaker (include a link back to this post) for an extra entry and comment separately that you tweeted.

That's it! Contest will be open until next Friday at midnight. Please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Dear New Mom: Your New Nights

Dear New Mama,

Your new nights sure are special, aren't they? Seeing that teeny, tiny, squishy little booger cozy up next to you to nurse is so incredibly sweet. The pink tint to their cheeks lets you know they're cozy and warm, and the fight to keep them awake long enough to get a full feeding reassures you that they will, in fact, sleep at some point.

1, 3, and 5 AM seem pretty lonely, huh? Do you think about all the other new mamas out there also awake this early? Are they tracking the minutes baby spends on each breast, and the time between each feeding? Are they worried, too, that baby doesn't want to drink more than five minutes per side? What about the spit up- it seems like a lot. She's not doing it like the books say...

Don't worry, New Mama. Your baby hasn't read all the books you have. He's just doing what feels right. And though most babies do things pretty similarly in the beginning, no two babies habits and preferences will look exactly alike. Some eat faster, some slower. Some sleep longer and some spit up more. You're only at the beginning. As you spend more time with him, you'll learn what's his normal, and you'll grow much more comfortable and confident in your abilities.

But for now, when everything is so new and tiny and delicate and fragile, know that the food, warmth and love you have to give are exactly enough, and exactly what your tiny baby needs at this very moment. When you get a moment to sleep, sleep peacefully, knowing that God has the energy to keep two watchful eyes on your precious bundle when you don't. Know that there are friends and family who will come to cuddle your tiny bundle in between feedings so you can sleep deeply (and if no one's offered, just ask). And know that one day, sooner than you may think, you will get a restful nights sleep again.

Sincerely,

Carrie, a former New Mom

Dear New Mom: You're Awesome

Dear New Mom: Your New Body

Dear New Mom: Your New Wardrobe (plus a giveaway)

 

Dear New Mom: Your New Body

Dear New Mama,

You just grew a child out of almost nothing. Your body- your divine temple- did everything necessary, pooling every resource you had to offer, to form life into existence. This is no small feat. It's toll shows up in your recently deflated abdomen- still soft and squishy- and leaves behind scars and marks that will very likely remind you forever of the very first sacrifices you ever made for your child.

source

Your new knockers are awesome! That boob job you've wanted your whole life- you just got it! Granted, your borderline-jaundice newborn can't seem to latch now that you're so engorged, you're in tremendous pain, and you may have even had to give your child a bottle of poison formula just to hold them over. Don't worry- it's nothing a pump* and some strong hands wont be able to help you get through. A bottle of formula will not forever keep your child from the breast. And even if it does, they will grow up just the same. You have not ruined your child. You have loved them to the best of your ability.

I know you've been waiting months to finally sleep on your stomach again, but your new milk supply will probably prevent that from happening comfortably for a while. You will most definitely have a new bed-wetting problem, and who knows if you'll ever find a nursing pad strong enough to keep the sheets dry for quite some time**. It's okay. Those leaky boobs are giving your child everything, short of cuddles, she needs to survive. And if you haven't figured it out already, firm pressure against nipples during a let-down keeps the milk inside (keep that in mind when you forget to pack those pads!).

What's that smell?? Oh, It's you. I know, you weren't expecting anything like that, were you? It's normal. Your body built up an incredibly abundant supply of blood and tissue to nourish that teeny tiny growing baby inside you. Now that it's no longer needed, you're getting rid of it (I don't have to tell you that though, do I?), and it's basically dead tissue. Don't worry, it will all be over soon. The scent will fade along with all that grossness. Oh, and breast milk spoils too. So if you've leaked in your sleep (also normal), even a tiny bit, that human-dairy will leave behind an unpleasant odor that'll be hard to pinpoint until you finally figure out what it is. Ask your husband to help you with laundry every day or two***- he'll gladly oblige.

Please, sweet mama, don't worry too much about your body today- your loose, squishy belly, leaky boobs, torn girl parts and other drastic changes in just about every area caused by pregnancy and childbirth (puberty got nothin' on this!). Though it may not look like what you imagined, you are at one of the most beautiful times in your life. Ten months ago, the tiny baby you now hold in your arms didn't even exist. Because of your sacrifice, you have brought life- the potential to change the world- into your own little family.

This tiny person loves you more than anything, and they are so comfortable with you. Your body is to thank for this. And one day, sooner than you may think, you will feel beautiful again. It is possible to fit back into your favorite jeans, see a smaller number on the scale, and feel a belly that doesn't jiggle like a waterbed again, but give yourself a little time first. All this will come with patience and a little work. But for now, give yourself permission to feel beautiful just the way you are, leaky boobs and all.

You are beautiful. You are amazing. And you are an awesome mother.

Sincerely,

Carrie,

a former New Mama

P.S. *Your hospital may rent out electronic pumps for a decent price. If not, Medela makes an amazing line of highly effective pumps.

**If you have an over abundant supply, Medela breast pads have super-absorbent abilities (Avent, Lansinoh & Nuk make them too). If you're leaks are lighter or you want a more Eco-friendly option, try out these reusable pads.

***putting "puppy pads" or Chux under a towel under your chest at night can cut down on all the laundry if you leak a lot. Again, don't worry. Your supply will soon regulate and you shouldn't leak quite as often or nearly as much.

Dear New Mom: You're Awesome

Dear New Mom: Your New Nights

Dear New Mom: Your New Wardrobe (plus a giveaway!)