Hi Querry, congratulations from all of us here at WAZUA. Let me share some of my experiences from delivering 3 buns into the world.
1. Enjoy yourself while pregnant; take a picture during the last trimester. Enjoy your sleep, freedom to go watch movies, coffee dates etc as an individual and spouse. Soon there will be another person whom you love very much in the equation and will occupy a big part of your heart.
2. Breastfeeding is not easy, make sure you leave hospital when the baby is latching properly, most nurses have lessons for mothers in the morning before discharge. Also, you can attend watch the babies being bathed and learn a thing or two practically on how to handle a new born. (depending on the hospital).
3. When you get home, ensure that you make it clear to yourself that the baby is the visitor and has to fit into the normal home routine. This thing of people saying that the baby is nocturnal is self made. You need your sleep at night. Your spouse needs his sleep, remember it just you on maternity leave. Let me give an example of a baby routine from 8am to 8pm. (you can choose 7am to 7pm if u want.
-7am wake up and shower and change. Just because u r on maternity, doent give u permission to stay in nightclothes the whole day. Have breakfast. Take a glass of warm water. You need to be well hydrated when breastfeeding.
-8am wake the baby up, change baby clothes, wipe her face and and neck.
-9 am. Depending on the weather, expose the baby to sunlight to avoid rickets, the early morning sun is safe. Make your room, just because ur on maternity doest mean that the bedroom is in a mess.
-10.00am baby takes a nap, take a snack. A mug of wholesome uji, fruits and a glass of water is enough. Avoid endless cups of tea and uji, you need to take care of your BMI. Endless njahi and mukimo just make you fat and fart all day.
-11am baby awake, talk to the baby as you do your normal stuff. Watch naija movies, read baby books, etc. you don’t have to hold the baby in your arms all day. Also let the househelp bond with the baby and learn about changing diaper etc.
-12.00 have lunch, take a nap, baby also sleeps longer during mid day.
2pm have your fruit and glass of water.
4pm. Baby takes a short nap. Take a snack, uji or tea and water. Take a short walk in the neighbourhood for some fresh air and depending if u had a CS, the doctor will advise you on the exercise the regime that you should adopt.
6pm winding time for baby, bathing massage the baby with the products you prefer. Most new borns don’t need soap in their bath water. Johnsons have a mild baby wash and cussons soap is also mild but in case u notice any allergy, stop and do without. For diaper change, avoid wipes, cotton wool and warm water are ok for the sensitive bottoms. Also parents tend to overdress babies, the best advise is: if sunny a romper will do to keep the baby warm. When colder, sock and a warm sweater will do. Check the baby’s temperature by feeling the back of the neck, avoid making the baby sweat by overclothing.
8pm. Put the baby to bed and have some bonding time with your spouse, catch up on some reading etc.
Feed the baby at 10pm when you are sleeping. The baby will now sllep for 4 hours till the next feed at 2am. When the baby wakes up, do not make it a big production with lights on sijui changing diaper etc. get a 20 watt bulb bedside light and feed the baby while she is still sleepy and put her down to sleep. Don’t get used to rocking her and entertaining her at night, then switch off the lights immediately.
Next feed is after 4 hours ie at 6am, same as before, feed her in semi darkness and put her back to sleep till 8am.
This takes a lot of practice, so hang in there.
-At this stage it would be good to start practicing to express milk immediately, it’s a skill that requires practice, some are able to express without a pump. If you can afford it, get an avent pump. This works well. If you can afford it, you can invest in a steam sterilizer. You can get a second hand one from your friends and relatives. The job of washing the bottles is very sensitive and when you get back to work, it is advisable you prepare the feed yourself. And store in a cool place, breast milk should not be warmed in a microwave, all u need is a bowl of warm water.the nanny can rinse the bottles then you wash them in hot soapy water. Diarrhea is a dangerous disease in babies so hygiene should be tops.
Keep us posted and God bless you.
I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me: Phil 4: 13