Have you created your postpartum plan for when your baby arrives? We spend so much time planning the actual birth but the weeks following labor can be incredibly taxing and overwhelming. It can be very helpful to have a dedicated plan to help navigate that time. If you have a midwife or a doula, I encourage you to brainstorm with them as well! 

Plan your meals

Remember – Feeding yourself is just as important as feeding your baby – especially if you are breastfeeding! Take some time to plan and meal prep. This will help you stay nourished and fueled in those first few weeks. 

Having a few pre-prepped meals is a must. The easiest way to do this is as you’re cooking meals, make a double batch and freeze the other meal. You can start this in the last few weeks of your pregnancy. This way you will have a freezer stash of delicious, home-cooked meals. 

Have a designated shopping list to help with grocery shopping. It’s helpful if your list has different sections for different groups of food, e.g. Dairy: Milk, cheese, creamer. Meat: Deli meat, whole chicken, breakfast sausage. That way, if and when you have to send someone on a grocery run, nothing gets left behind. 

Plan your visitors

The first few days after birth will be a whirl. It can be very helpful to have a solidified list of visitors. This list can help you stay strong in your boundaries after labor. Remember, this is your time with your baby. You can even make a list of approved visitors for the first several weeks.

Think about what you want your visitors to do when they visit. Compile a list of helpful tasks such as 

• Put in a load of laundry
• Take out the trash
• Run the dishwasher

When people ask if they can help with anything, you will have a list ready to go. People want to help, so let them! 

Create an Appointment Calendar for your postpartum appointments

Having a newborn is a dizzying experience. I loved having a set calendar that I used to write down all my appointments. Remember to plan extra travel time as you get used to traveling with your new baby! 

I created a downloadable postpartum planner that helps you plan food, visitors, and appointments. I hope it helps you navigate some of the 4th trimester stress!