You might have felt like you were on the edge of holding it all together before, but when a newborn enters the scene, managing life's routine can feel like treading water just to stay afloat. We don’t want to sugarcoat it—it's definitely not easy. But not only is it doable, with a few tweaks to your routine, you can be meeting those challenges head on and finding joy in the midst of your new adventure.  

In our toolkit of practical tips, we've gathered some gems to help you stay afloat. So, hang onto your energy and shower all that love on your adorable newborn instead! 

Making a list, checking it twice 

There's a certain magic in putting down a list of challenging tasks on paper; it transforms an overwhelming list into something achievable, instantly lightening the load on your already burdened shoulders. 

While it might seem like a simple point, taking just five minutes to sit down and create a weekly to-do list can be a struggle for many. Setting an alarm or reminder on your phone for Sunday night can help reinforce this habit, while creating a ‘master list’ for essential tasks like shopping, laundry, and meal prepping can ease some of the mental load when it comes to putting that list to paper. 

Weekly calendars are true lifesavers. Dividing your freshly made to-do list across the week will undoubtedly make the number of tasks seem less intimidating. And don't forget to cross off those completed tasks; with each cross, you'll feel the burden lessen a bit. 

But please remember, you're only human. Each one of you is already a superhero, caring enough about your babies and families to read articles like this. You're raising beautiful children in a less than perfect world, but you don't have superpowers, nor should you be expected to. You can only do so much. If a task remains unchecked on your list, understand that it's okay; be kind to yourself.  

Meal planning magic 

Meal planning might sound like a bit of a chore, but it’s a game-changer that can save you from so many headaches in the long run.  

Here’s a simple approach: Think about how many meals you’d like to cook this week, and create a list with the meals you enjoy making, and most importantly, you enjoy eating. You don’t have to be overly adventurous; if it’s healthy and you love it, put it on the list every week. No need to exhaust yourself coming up with a stream of fresh ideas. Then, make a shopping list with the ingredients for those meals. Honestly, it’s as easy as that. Go on, pop in some treats and snacks as well 😉. 

This way, you’re not spending precious time, energy, and effort rolling around a supermarket, thinking of ingredients for meals you may or may not end up making. Meal planning streamlines the process and just lightens your mental load that little bit more. 

If you have the option for online grocery shopping, it’s an absolute game-changer. Imagine going through all those steps, but now picture yourself doing it from the comfort of your sofa while your baby peacefully sleeps. It’s a total win-win, freeing up more of your time to check off other essentials from your list or even have a nap yourself! You deserve it! 

Embrace support, lighten your load 

The luxury of a support system is something to be cherished. It could be parents, in-laws, siblings, or close friends eager to lend a hand. If you're fortunate enough to have people like that in your life, remember that when they say, "Let me know if you need anything," they genuinely mean it. Your loved ones care about you and are willing to go the extra mile to ease your burden. Even though it might feel natural to decline help, it's perfectly fine to ask for assistance, whether it's getting someone to walk your dog or accepting an offer to pick up a delivery. Recognise that they're genuinely happy to contribute in ways that make your day a little smoother. Knowing that someone is there to share the load can be such a profound relief. And when they bring your dog back, or pop in the parcel you needed picking up, you still get the satisfaction of crossing it off your list! 

Take each day as it comes, and don't forget to celebrate the small victories. You're doing an amazing job. Keep going, Night Feeders; you've got this!