https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:57:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908266 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 14:35:29 +0000 codeitall 2908266@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved having muffins and mini loaves of banana bread in the freezer. By dinnertime you could have a meal dropped off or order in, but breakfast and lunch and all the snacks were the worst. Definitely recommend baby-wearing to make life easier too.</p> <p>Calendar reminders to check the mail, pay bills, and even add baby to insurance are good because so much gets lost in a sleep-deprived haze.</p> <p>Have everything organized and put away in the house so there's no clutter. Know where the next two sizes of clothes are and have a system for where outgrown clothes get stashed.</p> <p>I bought a kindle paperwhite and kindle unlimited so I could read during all those late night wakeups without waking baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908212 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 09:44:46 +0000 graceandjoy 2908212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I had DD2, we kept DD1 on the same schedule daycare wise to make life easier for everyone. I'm usually already very detailed/schedule oriented so as long as everything's put on my calendar, the day-to-day stuff didn't really change. </p> <p>Using the Hakka to effortlessly build a small stash was priceless so I wasn't stressed out about pumping extra on top of nursing all day/night. </p> <p>I was alone with DD2 at night since birth since DH was still helping DD1 transition; I had a caddy of all the essentials so I didn't need to look for anything MOTN. </p> <p>These are actaully great tips to read back to myself as I'm about to have my 3rd :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908205 Mon, 13 Jan 2020 08:05:05 +0000 ilovepie 2908205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In our house we have some regular recipes that I make from memory or a very pared down recipe (granola, yogurt, bread). I would make sure they are written down and teach DH to make them so he can take over for a while. You can also buy them but it's a nice excuse to share some of those duties. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908192 Sun, 12 Jan 2020 23:28:57 +0000 Clementine12 2908192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetCaroline: freezer meals are super helpful but also think about easy breakfasts and lunches (especially if you breastfeed!). If you didn't babywear with #1, I highly recommend looking into it - I have a 2.5 yo and a 4 week old and wearing the baby in a wrap has been my life saver. Good luck and congrats! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908190 Sun, 12 Jan 2020 21:29:21 +0000 Lahela017 2908190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Stocked up on stuff we use regularly, like paper products, juice, snacks, pet food, etc. Made sure we had enough shampoo, soap, bath salt, etc. Made a few dozen muffins for the freezer and some dinners I froze, and some store bought items too (like a couple Frozen pizzas). I also tried to keep my house tidy and reasonably clean, so when we couldn't do much for a few weeks, it wouldn't me too bad. Also stayed on top of laundry as much as was reasonable.</p> <p>Next time around, I think I'm going to bake more muffins because we loved how easy they were for breakfast and snacks. I also want to buy some easy cleaning products like cleaning wipes. I usually use more cost effective cleaning products, but will pay for the ease of them for awhile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908175 Sun, 12 Jan 2020 15:57:09 +0000 Becky 2908175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>- Getting everyone dressed/presentable by a certain time every morning. This made me feel so much better when I was on leave for DD2 (kind of like still wearing real clothes if you work from home)<br /> - Planning activities ahead of time. DD1 will be 6.5 and DD2 will be 4 when DS arrives, so I know I need to keep them active. DD1 and I have already started talking about a weekly schedule to give us something to do at least once per day (ex Mondays visit with one grandma, Tuesdays go to the playground, Wednesday’s go to the other grandmas house, Thursday’s go to the library, Friday’s go to the pool, Saturday’s do something with dad and take the big girls to the Farmers Market, Sunday’s will probably be unplanned). I’m also hoping to figure out some kind of daily schedule to keep up with reading, math, and science. Will likely just be apps and workbooks so they can do it while I’m taking care of the baby. We’ll also do swim lessons for the older one (3 y/o insists that only her dad do her swim lessons) and there are some super affordable camps here.<br /> - Planning for meals and snacks. I meal plan now which I didn’t really with DD2. I hope that eating better will lend to more breastfeeding success.<br /> - A regular laundry schedule. I am SO bad at laundry. We cloth diaper and now with adding another kid and cloth diapers again I feel like I have to be disciplined. I’m giving myself until March to get into this schedule (due in June).<br /> - Get my girls fully independent in making breakfast. They still often ask me to get them cereal with milk or yogurt even though at least the older one is capable.<br /> - Actually getting a lactation consult while still at the hospital. I left early last time, and I had a really tough time both nursing and pumping. I actually want to bring my pump to the hospital to see if the shields are the right size. </p> <p>One thing that is HUGE for me is that my girls now shower independently. They do it together and the 6 year old makes sure the 3 year old does everything right. I still supervise the 3 year old once a week to make sure she gets really thoroughly washed at least once, but she is really good. Having this time before bed to get myself ready for bed and do some quick tidying upstairs is a game changer now and will be even more so with a little baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908174 Sun, 12 Jan 2020 15:10:11 +0000 SweetCaroline 2908174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>-Set the expectation that there will be no visitors at the hospital (unless there are complications and we need additional support).<br /> -Document DD's schedule: when she needs to be to school, what she needs to pack (or who they need to call if they decide to keep her home).<br /> -Plans for meals/snacks for the first few weeks postpartum.<br /> -Stock up on paper products<br /> - </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/smart-moves-to-make-postpartum-easier#post-2908173 Sun, 12 Jan 2020 15:07:09 +0000 SweetCaroline 2908173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Expecting baby #2 in May (#1 will be 5) and I'm thinking ahead to what I can be doing in the next few months to make postpartum easier.</p> <p>What were you thankful you did and what do you wish you had done? I'll brain dump what I have in mind so far below! </p>