You’re low on sleep, high on coffee, you’re changing diapers constantly and trying hard to keep your gorgeous little one alive. It really does make sense that you have no social life when you have just had a baby!
The good news is, there are some achievable ways you can actually socialize when you have a newborn. Here are five ways parents can stay social while caring for a newborn:
Combination Feed
For convenience, some people try switching to baby formula after breastfeeding, going with infant and baby formula from the beginning, or combining the two. Adding formula to the mix allows you to meet friends without having to worry about leaving enough breast milk for your partner to feed the baby. It really is a great thing to consider if you are yearning for a little freedom with your baby’s schedule without compromising their nutritional needs.
Voice Notes
Recorded on your phone, or with a messaging service like WhatsApp, voice notes are a bit like a flexible, long conversation. You simply send a voice note rather than a text, chatting about what you have been up to, how your baby is, and asking questions to your friend. It can be as long as you like, and the other person can listen and reply as and when they have time. The best part is, you can do it hands-free, so you can be feeding or changing the baby whilst you listen or record.
Walking A Regular Route
Being out in nature gives your baby more sensory information to take in, which in turn boosts their early language development. Even better, you’re in a good place to get chatting with other mums and dads while you’re out and about getting some fresh air. If you walk a regular route, you may well start to see the same people, giving you even more chances of making a regular connection with those in the same position as you.
Parent & Baby Groups
Parent and baby groups are fantastic for your bub. Indeed, the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has released a report on the importance of young children playing, detailing the many ways in which it helps them develop. However, the benefits aren’t only for the kids. For parents, it offers some much-needed social time.
A great way to find a good parent and baby group in your area is to first join a local online forum or social media group that you feel comfortable with. You can then find recommendations for an in-person meet-up there. This will help you find a group that’s full of the kind of people you get on with.
Nurture Your Current Relationships
90% of mothers feel lonely after having kids, and over half feel friendless after giving birth. It can be a challenging time, which is why it is exactly the right time to hold the friends who stick around as close as you can. Those you love and who love you don’t care if your top is covered in throw up, or your phone call is littered with crying (yours or the baby’s!) – they know you need support right now and you can lean on them through thick and thin.
A Social Life Is Possible With A Newborn
You have a lot going on right now, but you can include a social life in the wonderful chaos that occurs when you have a baby. Reach out and talk – your people are out there and they’re ready to listen.
These are all good tips. However, The pandemic has made it much harder to follow several of them. I know that my daughter-in-law has tried to stay social within the acceptable guidelines