https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:47:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1071021 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 19:05:32 +0000 Katrocap 1071021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@vegmama: That's wonderful that you and DH will have so much time off together. It will make it so much easier for you, too. Like many others have said, I wouldn't worry about planning things now. I expected maternity leave to be kind of like retirement - HA! Prepare to be sleep deprived, physically exhausted and that your baby will basically be a bump on a log (for some reason I thought I'd be able to play with my DS right away). If you BF, those nursing sessions in the first months can be long and your LO will probably fall asleep on you, so have entertainment (easy-to-read-with-one-hand book, laptop, smart phone, Netflix, etc) nearby, as well as lots of water. Keep snacks by your bed in case you get hungry during late night feedings. I hope this isn't too negative. It is difficult, but wonderful, too, and you will amaze yourself with how much love you feel for your LO. Yes, enjoy every moment because it goes by fast, but if you can't (I couldn't; I had PPD), that's okay, too. You will survive the newborn phase and around 3 months have a bubbly, full-of-personality baby to enjoy. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1070949 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 17:54:09 +0000 Vegmama 1070949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsF: Love hearing that!! Good for you guys that you were able to spend all of that time together! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1069008 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 21:07:02 +0000 MrsF 1069008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Vegmama: That's great that you will have 6 weeks off together. My DH took 6 weeks where he only worked on fridays and it was really great. We had a really really difficult newborn (let me just say we were never both sitting down at the same time, someone was always bouncing the baby) and I really needed the extra help. </p> <p>Having all that time also helped us form a really nice foundation as new parents. Because neither one of us was going to work we really embraced the baby care tasks equally. Basically I nursed the baby and DH did everything else :) To this day he is the best diaper changer and bath giver in the house. I have people comment on what an involved dad he is all the time and I really think that first 6 weeks was a great beginning. I was a mess with pp hormones and bf struggles and he was the master of baby care. I wouldn't say that those 6 weeks were enjoyable but they were a very important beginning for our new family! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1068296 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 18:37:28 +0000 Foodnerd81 1068296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree- don't bother making plans because the first weeks are a blur, and once you get to know your baby you will have such a better idea of what you can do. I stocked my freezer and am really really glad I did- we've hardly had any take out. </p> <p>I'm also glad we had limited visitors in the beginning. It's really tiring just being friendly at that point. I only wanted people I could breastfeed in front of at first. </p> <p>It's awesome that your Dh will be home so long. Mine got 5 days paternity leave and took another 3, then has been taking long weekends here and there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1068107 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 17:22:29 +0000 Boheme 1068107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just enjoy it! It goes by so fast. You can't spoil a newborn, so just soak up every minute :) </p> <p>For us, freezer meals were great. We also limited visitors so that we could get into some semblance of a routine without worrying about picking up the house or looking presentable for company. People were very understanding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1068074 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:54:21 +0000 Vegmama 1068074@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@heartonastring: Not discouraging at all!! I am really looking forward to snuggling with our new baby ... I'll use any excuse to stay cozy in our house all day! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067895 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:31:00 +0000 winniebee 1067895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had 5 months off....the first month was a blur. The last 3 months were the best of my life! I got out every single day and I think that made it fun - usually an outing and a walk. At that age they are so portable and sleep anywhere :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067883 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:26:08 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1067883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would recommend talking about house chores before hand. What is the bare minimum that you must agree too. There were so many new chores that came with baby (washing/boiling parts, laundry, bath time, etc). </p> <p>Don't be afraid to go out and about to places that are flexible. Most babies travel well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067866 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:16:40 +0000 Bookish 1067866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Total blur here as well. I wouldn't recommend planning anything, honestly. Just take it a day at a time, and as you feel better, you can reevaluate and maybe start taking your LO to a park or out to dinner with y'all. Despite how much a newborn sleeps, I had very little free time. Just enjoy your LO, enjoy having so much time home with your DH, and take lots of pictures! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067827 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:02:24 +0000 DillonLion 1067827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just enjoy that baby! Don't worry about anything else at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067728 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 14:29:22 +0000 heartonastring 1067728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the others that the first six weeks are kind of a blur. If you're planning to breastfeed you'll be spending a lot of that time nursing to establish your supply. So I would for sure get Netflix if you don't have it already as well as some snacks that are easily eaten with one hand. I would also have the name of a good LC in case you run into any BFing challenges. I also made a ton of freezer meals before DD was born and those were a godsend.</p> <p>I'm in Canada and am four months into a yearlong mat leave. It's wonderful in its own right, but I wouldn't plan on using it to "do" anything other than love on your baby. Babies have a way of taking over your whole life and forcing you to live on their terms :)</p> <p>I hope this doesn't sound discouraging, it's not meant to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067685 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 14:15:23 +0000 Mrsbells 1067685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Vegmama: I thought i would have a lot of free time and it would be very relaxing time but it was actually a bit stressful because LO was a difficult newborn who hardly slept so I was very frazzled. I think having netflix membership or good books available to read while holding your newborn would be a good plan </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067679 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 14:12:26 +0000 Vegmama 1067679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Such an encouraging response. The toothbrushing part made me laugh. </p> <p>Yes, his employer tried to convince him to take 10 days off, but with FMLA, he can take up to 12, and we thought 6 weeks would be good for everyone. </p> <p>I love the part about prepping before the birth (with meals, and emotionally prepping with date nights). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067663 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 14:09:02 +0000 lamariniere 1067663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, the first 6 weeks are such a blur as you settle in as a family and try to find some sort of groove. I don't think I would try to plan anything in particular other than just getting to know your baby, trying to sleep and rest, and brush your teeth as often as possible ;-)</p> <p>Something I wish I had done before the birth was squeeze in a few more special date nights and stock the kitchen with easy to prep foods and freezer meals. Enjoy it though, that is fantastic that your DH will have so much time off. Mine only had 10 days, and like you, we didn't have any family around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-maternity-leave#post-1067643 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 14:03:00 +0000 Vegmama 1067643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hubby &amp; I are planning on taking 6 weeks off together after our LO arrives ... then, I'll have about 2 weeks by myself before I head back into my home studio full-time.</p> <p>We're not planning a c-section, so I'm hoping the physical recovery goes smoothly and quickly ... </p> <p>Are there things you wish you would have done during your leave? Or, was it just awesome to spend time at home with LO? Anything you could have planned ahead for that would have made your time easier? </p> <p>We live far away from family, and we'll have 2 sets of visitors during our leave, but other than that, the time is all ours. I want to make the most of it!! </p>