As a new mom, it can be overwhelming to juggle feedings and diaper changes for your infant with household responsibilities and family life. Don’t let the stress of your new responsibilities override the joy of cuddling and caring for your new baby. Instead, jump-start each morning with a structured routine that benefits both of you.
RELATED: Morning Tips for Working Moms
Be Realistic
Evaluate Your Home’s Layout
Save yourself time in the morning by evaluating the flow of your home. Minimize the amount of up and down stairs you have to travel as you may have a child on your hip, Pope recommends. Keep toothbrushes and hairbrushes handy in various rooms so you can easily get these tasks completed without herding your child to an upstairs bathroom, too. Also, find a flow to getting dressed to breakfast to playing in a way that feels most natural for the layout of your house or apartment.
RELATED: 6 Tips for a Happier Morning Routine
Working Outside the Home
Almost 60 percent of mothers with infants under a year old either had jobs or searched for work in 2013, notes 2014 release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are one of those working moms, if possible, dedicate time before your child wakes to pack lunches, diaper bags and gather work materials, Pope suggests. Your routine may include drinking a morning cup of coffee, showering and dressing, and preparing breakfast or a bottle before your baby opens his eyes. Once you are ready, it frees up time to devote to your baby’s needs without rushing to find matching shoes and put the finishing touches on your makeup.
Photo via m-imagephotography/iStock/Getty Images
