Ways to Prepare for Postpartum
There are lots of things you can do while you are pregnant to prepare for postpartum. If this is your first baby or your 5th baby, then you will need to ease the transition home after birth. Some families have lots of help and family near by while others do not. Be sure to look on the bright side and be glad you have a new little bundle of joy to bring home. Do not be discouraged if people do not flock to help you (sometimes they do not want to intrude or are unsure of what really would be helpful!) ASK FOR HELP!
Meal Prep– depending on what season you are due would determine the types of meals you prepare. For a Summer birth, I would prepare freezer meals that would go into the crockpot so you are not heating up the house. Cooking a whole chicken and freezing smaller portions of shredded chicken could be useful for BBQ sandwiches, chicken enchiladas or quesadillas.
Breakfast– Does your family like omelets or breakfast casseroles Maybe they like banana bread or muffins. Pre-cut omelet addins like peppers, onions, & mushrooms to freeze for a quick breakfast. Make double batches of muffins or banana bread and freeze. Make double or triple batches of waffles, pancakes, or try an overnight crockpot breakfast recipe!
Winter Births would benefit from soups, stews, and casseroles. Buy in bulk in season and store items ahead by freezing, canning, or dehydrating.
Teach big kids to make some basic meals: soup & sandwich toasting frozen waffles, grilled cheese, English muffin pizza’s,etc. Have big kids (7yrs.-10yrs. help plan meals and get out freezer meals for the crockpot the night before to thaw in the fridge.)
Try new, healthy, easy to prep foods before baby gets here. Helps everyone gets used to simpler meals for mom to prepare and everyone to enjoy. Try making your own granola, granola bars, trail mix, fruit leathers, and dried fruit for quick healthy snacks.
Bake double or triple batches of cookies to freeze for later.
Homemade cleaning products– make double or triple the batch you usually make. Show your older children how to make laundry detergent, drain cleaner, orange vinegar, floor cleaner, and carpet sprinkle. Teach your children how to load the laundry and put clothes in the dryer. Toddlers love to help with dusting sweeping, vacuuming and folding wash cloths or small towels. Matching up socks is an easy job fro preschoolers. Lil’ Red loves to carry clothes from the hamper to the washer for me!
Delegate feeding of pets to children or hubby.
Children’s Clothing– You might be so focused on the new baby and what clothes you no longer fit in that you forget to check your other children’s clothes and shoes! Take stock of the next season or two’s worth of clothes for each person so when you are at garage sales you can pick up items that you need. Check fit for shoes, underwear, and socks as well. Children often grow faster than most parents think:) Nothing like having to run out last minute and pay FULL PRICE for something that could be stocked up on during back-to-school or end-of-season sales.
Double check your carseats for each child! Be sure they have not outgrown their harnesses or are over the height/weight for that particular seat. Be sure to fit your infant carrier/seat in your vehicle BEFORE you go into labor to be sure you can get proper fit and incline for the new baby!
Now don’t you feel so much more prepared for your newest arrival? Just take one item at a time and try to do just a little extra and you’ll be surprise how quickly you are prepared!
Crockpot Resources:
Chicken Potpie and Tacos Tonight from Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal from All Things Moms
Teriyaki Chicken from Nourishing Simplicity
Coconut Ginger Drumsticks from Frugal Granola
Chicken Brunswick Stew and Bavarian Roast from My Merry Messy Life
Two Bean Turkey Chili and Barbeque Chicken from Now Things Are Cookin’
Easy Red Chile for burritos or Chile Verde from Earning my Cape
Freezer Meal Resources:
Easy Once a Week Cooking from Simply Saving
Freezer Cooking in an Hours ( real and GLUTEN free from A Little House Living
Freezer Cooking in 6 parts from Ring Around the Rosies (her family is small so you may need to double a recipe for one meal:)
Stock the Freezer/Stockpile September from Simply Home Blessing
Stuffed Green Pepper Casserole and Spinach Lasagna Rolls from Five Minutes for Mommy
Sara - My Merry Messy Life says
Great post, Thaleia! Thanks for the link love :). I’ll share it with my followers!
Sarah @something2offer.com Nature's Nurture says
This is so helpful, Thaleia! Thanks for linking back to me too! I’m totally sharing this with my followers. 🙂
ThaleiaMaher says
Sara,
Thanks for the links! I’m sure your recipes will be helpful! Thanks for sharing:)
ThaleiaMaher says
Sarah,
So glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing with me and your followers!
piwi mama says
Great post! I wish I had thought to do this before my DD’s were born! Those first 3 months are a an eye opener! Still it was well worth it for my precious girls!
Susie at Earning-My-Cape says
Love this post! Thanks for including my Red Chile and my Chile Verde, too!
Congrats! You were the most clicked on link at my Super Link Party!
I will feature you at Wednesday’s Party! https://something2offer.com//earning-my-cape.blogspot.com/2013/03/super-link-party-44.html
Susie