#2 Mumming with Disability- Top 5 hacks with babies
We all know the newborn phase can be the most beautiful, crazy, emotional, messy but rewarding roller coaster of experience ever. Especially for first time mums, who had no concept of the true reality of sleep deprivation, the immensity of the feeling of pressure to get it right every time, or the depths of despair caused from raging ever-changing hormones. I don’t care who you are, I believe ALL mums need help, therefore, ALL mums need MumLife Hacks! More specifically for us though, ability friendly ones…
After the birth of my second cheeky gremlin, my body was so nutritionally deficient that the poor thing spiralled into a hardcore crumpled MS MESS. SO here are some of the little mum hacks I came across during my second newborn phase. Some of them would probably have been super helpful with regular 'first time mum-ing' after my eldest was born, but never mind! Maybe some of these will help to make the crazy more manageable!
Nappy Change Time! - its all about minimising unnecessary movement back and forth. Conserve your energy!
When you are setting up your babies room, choose a change-table that is height appropriate to you, so you can change them sitting down. I used an office chair on wheels for a while there, but do what's safe according to your level of ability obviously. Another option I found great was to set up a ground level change station in the play room! Then I didn’t need to go far when the PooFairy struck again… and again! Also be sure to set up your nursery change station so that ALL the things are in easy reach. Choose a baby table with under-storage, and get creative with wall hangings!
Wipes. Nappies. Clothes. Bin Bags. Powders and Creams. Nail clippers! Yes, them too, baby nails are like razors!
Feeding Time! Extra comfort
2. Again, foresight is key here. Make sure you have your water bottle and little snacks already on hand if you're breastfeeding, and choose a very comfortable nursing chair with pillows to support your arms. If your fatigue is anything like mine, babies are unexpectedly heavy and twisting yourself into a position to get a good "latch" is a MISSION.
The 'nursing chair' I chose was actually a recliner, this helped with the pain and swelling from oedema, I could put my feet all the way up and elevation may assist with lymphatic drainage. It was also great during cuddle time! If you can't do a recliner, at least get a foot-stool.
I need rest…
3. So this one is so hard for mums everywhere. Even moreso for us. We often begin the day fatigued on a good day, and it just gets harder as the day goes on. Then put chronic sleep deprivation and probable malnutrition on top, and we have a hormonal Featherbrained ZOMBIE-Fairy. In fact this is such a big topic I might have to do a whole post on just this one thing, but for now ill say this…
I have learned there is some truth in the whole "sleep when the baby sleeps", even though its ridiculous and feels completely unachievable, counterintuitive and counterproductive.
I feel like it should be more along the lines of… 'when baby is asleep, either Eat, Sleep, or Meditate!'
Don't push yourself to clean or do anything beyond what is absolutely vital and wear you already exhausted self into the ground. This time needs to be spent pouring your energy into your own cup, it's nourishing time, not work time.
Getting Dressed?
4. With dexterity issues, its so important to choose your kids clothes wisely. Whoever invented onesies with 10 thousand tiny buttons or even snaps was an A-hole. Onesies with Zippers are your friend!!! Laces and ribbon ties are obviously not.
Having baby wear a bib while breastfeeding or regular feeding is helpful for drips and makes for less frequent wardrobe changes. There are great stretchy cotton ones that go straight over the head in one flowing movement, and others that have a little velcro patch that does up behind the neck, both of which I found to be good.
Got Stuff?
5. Time to DOWNsize the amount of stuff you have. If you're anything like me, you have somehow accumulated enough baby stuff to clothe and entertain FIVE kids when you only have two! Less stuff means less to clean, organise and put away. Keep your fav's though and have a sentimental box for you to go through on the moments when you are finding yourself asking 'why the ACTUAL f*** did I agree to this again?'. We've all been there.
Hopefully some of these have been helpful for the baby mummas out there! I have another post coming for Disability Friendly Hacks for the toddler age coming up soon!
Have you got any hacks you'd like to share? Send them through and I'll put them up!
Embrace your featherbrain… lists are your friend.