With the theme for this month being "Postpartum Care", I wanted to share something that toke me three pregnancies to realize.  Even though I ususally offer advice or thoughts on nutrition, I thought I'd share this little insight as I think it is just as important for the health of you and your baby.  Once you bring home that sweet baby, there is very little that you can know for sure.  Will the baby latch or take a bottle easily, have colic, sleep well, be happy, be healthy, etc.?  But if you give yourself the time to handle all of this, then at least you are setting yourself up for a happy and enjoyable experience with your newborn.  And if you run into any problems adjusting to this new life, then you'll have the time and focus to deal with it best.  

With my first baby, I had just finished moving cross country, finding a place to live and had to adjust to being a mom and not in the "working" world anymore.  With a husband who was gone 4 nights a week and me with no faces I had known before, I was stressed.  I often regret not taking that time and just being happy for what it was.  A wonderful time of bringing a new life into this world.  I couldn't get my head around the fact that I wasn't making any money, making any deals, having any meetings, coming up with ideas for clients, accomplishing tasks that instantly showed result.  Instead, I should have just been happy my beautiful daughter nursed well, had no allergies or colic, and for the most part was a really happy and good baby.  

 Then when my son came along, I still had a traveling husband and this time now a 2 year old.  I was just happy if I could eat 3 times a day!  Again we were moving so I had that fun to deal with, as well as the launch of my business.  So, his infancy seemed like it went by in a blink of an eye.  I often joke with my husband and say (with a regret) that I don't remember our son as a baby.

 So, when our newest little one arrived, I toke the full 3 months off and I enjoy every moment with her.  I take time to play with her, cherish the fact that she always wants to be held.  Sit a bit longer to stare at her when I am nursing her.  Bring her everywhere and I never feel bad for doing so.  Her first year is almost over and I have no regrets.  I have enjoyed all of it with her.  I am not sure if I did so because there is a good chance she may be my last baby or if I've finally wisened up after seeing my first two grow up so fast.   Either way, when you think about postpartum care, just remember to think about not just enjoying that first year, but relishing it!  I could get more into the science behind why it is also important to really take time for you and your baby to bond that first year (I'll let Dr. Bill Sears one of my favorite pediatrician's do that for you in his Attachment Parenting book www.askdrsears.com), but strictly speaking from the emotional side...it is only 1 year and you'll never get it back.  And it is magical!   So enjoy mommies!!