Hopefully, this is only a metaphor for survival, but also a friendly reminder… you’re not doing your baby any favors by overlooking your own needs. Seize the opportunities to drink water, eat food, lubricate contact lenses, and pee when you need to.
In the middle of the night, when Holden cries for food or comfort, I always make sure to chug some water, pee, wash up, and then go in because you never know when it’s going to turn into a marathon nursing/soothing session and everything seems worse when I’m a starving, thirsty lunatic. Just ask Alec.
You are so right. It is not cruel to look after your own needs once in a while. No baby benefits from an exhausted, stressed and unhappy mum. If you are happy and well then this will pass onto baby!
Amen sister! I too, always pee first before going to pick up my crying baby for the very same reasons. And even on my second child, I still feel a tiny twinge of guilt when I scarf down a few crackers and run to the bathroom while my son is crying in his crib. But then I remember how it feels to hold a sleeping baby when your stomach is growling and you have to pee at the same time.
Ha, I’m learning this the hard way. I’ve been pushing myself to get everything done since our baby boy was born (on June 26th!) and had to go the ER on Sunday with a nasty case of mastitis. That’s a wake-up call, if ever there was one!
I think we all need to be reminded of this – especially as Mothers. I’m always reminding myself that no exercise means that I am not having all the energy I need to be the best Mom/Wife/Boss as possible!
i’ll say ‘cheers to that’ as i drink my glass of water, looking out the window at the quiet night before going in to see how i can help nearlyMabel in the wee small hours. i know about that little guilty feeling you mention Elizabeth, but you are right, a quick mummy top up makes the midnight visits more comfy for us both.
This is exellent advice and a great illustration too (oxygen mask). I know myself well now as a mom and I get really cranky if I don’t take care of my needs. I used to feel guilty about taking care of myself, but not anymore:).
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I like this advice — I’m right there with you on eating/drinking prior to nursing, but that took a long time to figure out.
I’ve always wondered about the oxygen mask thing when traveling with a lap child: there’s only one per seat, right?? And what are you supposed to do THEN? (I’m 34 weeks pregnant and yesterday flew Chicago to San Francisco with my (big) 22.5 month old on (what’s left of) my lap. I had a lot of time to think about this.)
This is such great advice. Last night, I forgot to take a cup up to the bathroom with me before bed and tried to do a nursing session sans drink…what a mistake!
@Jenn–there are 4 oxygen masks per 3-person row. I actually asked the flight attendant the last time I flew with my son!