Guest Blogger Erin Stephens Shares How To Survive Back To School With a Newborn
So you had a baby over the summer. Congrats! Or maybe your baby was born before the summer began, but you’ve finally gotten into your groove during the summer months.
You’ve just realized that the new school schedule with it’s pickups and drop offs and bus schedules and bedtimes and lunches that need to be packed is going to throw off your new routine and you are anxious about the transition.
It will all work out. That’s my own personal motto. I’m more of a “fly by the seat of my pants and figure it out in the moment” type of person. However, that doesn’t work for everyone. If you are feeling especially anxious about the new school year and your older child(ren)’s new schedules, consider these tips.
Don’t get the baby dressed to go to school drop off or to walk to the bus stop. I am a big fan of letting babies wake up and relax in the mornings. The easier the morning routine for the baby, the easier for mom. If you are breastfeeding and your baby is still asleep when you are ready to head out the door, consider doing a dream feed in bed or in a rocking chair. Then transfer baby to the car seat or baby carrier or stroller without changing out of pajamas. I have found this to make early morning transitions much easier.
Pre-pack school lunches before going to bed. I am a procrastinator by nature, and learning to pre-pack lunches was hard, but it saved my sanity in the mornings.
Prepare the next morning’s bottle the night before if you are bottle feeding. Having it ready to go as soon as you are ready to go can save you time and effort during those frustratingly quick morning minutes before school.
Do a full dry-run of the school morning routine before the first day of school. Set your alarm, prepare the lunches and bottle (if applicable) the night before, and let the baby sleep while you get the older child(ren) ready. Then leave the house at the prescribed time. It will help you to see potential issues and fix them as needed.
And don’t forget that your postpartum doula is available to brainstorm ways in which to make school days easier on all of you. She can help with routines and offer moral support if it’s just an anxious time for the family. Happy first day of school!
