Again this might seem obvious, but it is worth mentioning the importance of managing your time efficiently when you have a newborn. As I said above, flexibility is crucial with a newborn, so you don’t need a step-by-step itinerary for every day, but it does help to have a fairly accurate idea of when your baby is due his or her feeds, when it is bath night, or when you are due to go to the doctors for a check-up. Knowing what you need to do in advance will save you a lot of time and bother.
The first time we had to bring our son back to the hospital for a check-up, two weeks after birth, we foolishly thought that we could approach it as we usually would and get ready an hour or so before the appointment. We actually allowed ourselves another hour, just in case. Fast forward two hours and we are late for our appointment at a hospital that is literally 15 minutes away.
Similarly, working as a team can help to alleviate a lot of the stress. If you take it in turns to handle the heavy stuff—for instance my wife does the night feeds during the week when I’m working, and I handle the weekends—you will likely have a much easier time of it, relatively speaking. Communication is important here; if you or your partner are feeling particularly exhausted, just talk to each other. That way you will be able to find a way that works for you both.
Enjoy every moment with your new baby, they grow up so fast. There is honestly nothing better.
