You walk through the door of your home with your new baby, happy to be there after the hospital. You are exhausted from the birthing experience, possibly anemic. If there are stitches from an episiotomy, tearing or C-Section you may be in pain. It’s possible that you are barely able to stand or sit for very long. Your hormones are shifting–perhaps postpartum depression, certainly emotional upheaval. The uterus is contracting back into place.

You are truly concerned about your baby. You realize you are his/her primary caretaker. Is her/his diaper changed? Eliminated yet? Jaundice? Colic? Is baby getting enough to eat? Dehydrated? Latched on properly? Are you hungry/getting enough to eat and drink? Are your nipples sore, cracked, bleeding? There is a lot going in a new mother’s body and mind.

On another note, it’s hard for you not to notice the house needs a good cleaning, the pile of accumulated, dirty dishes in the sink, a refrigerator that needs to be stocked, stacks of smelly laundry and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. You realize your other children need to be dropped off and picked up from school, delivered to and from activities. Homework needs to be completed and all appetites met. Oh, I forgot to mention bills are due. Also the phone machine is full of incoming messages of anxious loved ones and the doorbell ringing with relatives who are dropping in to see the baby.

With pre-planning before your baby is born, your baby’s homecoming and the transition into your new duties can run more smoothly. Here are a few tips to help you plan for this precious homecoming while you are pregnant:

• Join Mom’s Club or MOP’S (Mother’s of Preschoolers). Call MOP’S voice mailbox at 951-676-3571 ext. 285 for free meals prepared by other moms. Sign up and go to a meeting while you are pregnant – they love new moms.

• Arrange it so you have the ability to pay your bills easily on-line.

• Sign up for dot.com grocery delivery.

• Invite helper guest(s) to be in your home after baby is born. People who cook, clean house, vacuum, do laundry, grocery shop, drop off and pick up, etc…

• For the first 40 days after delivery, lift nothing heavier than your baby and do not exercise too heavily – your body especially your uterus is still healing from the birthing process. You’ll have plenty of time later to physically exert yourself.

• Stay hydrated at all times. Eat nutritiously and get massaged!!

• After four weeks, find support groups like Stroller Strides that give you an opportunity to bond with other moms, www.strollerstrides.com.

Our culture is very fast paced and women like to handle every aspect of the household. But when a baby is born, it’s a nice time to rest, heal, stay relaxed and enjoy this time bonding with their new baby.

Atma Khalsa can be reached at 951-696-9063.