Automomming starts with, well, becoming a MOM! That’s where your life becomes substantially more hectic, and sometimes chaotic. Welcoming a new baby is undoubtedly one of the most joyous events of life, but it also brings along a whole new array of responsibilities. In addition to your current roles, you’re about to add 1, or possibly 1.25, full-time roles to your life. So, it’s crucial to streamline and delegate tasks in advance. Here’s how:

Start Automating and Delegating

Before the baby arrives, it’s the perfect time to automate as many tasks as you can. We’ve covered automation in detail in a previous post, which can serve as a handy guide to start.

Another crucial thing to do is to start transferring some roles to your spouse. As a mother, you’ll naturally take on more baby care responsibilities, so balancing out household tasks is crucial. Start with roles like cooking, emptying the dishwasher, changing sheets, and laundry. The key here is consistency – your spouse should be comfortable with these tasks and perform them regularly without reminders, well before the baby comes.

Seek Help from Family

Family support is invaluable during this time. However, setting clear expectations is crucial. The most helpful thing won’t necessarily be “holding the cute baby” (as tempting as it may be for them), but practical help like meal preparation. Consider setting up a meal schedule using a service like Meal Train, where family members can sign up to bring meals once or twice a week. This will ensure a steady flow of home-cooked meals for the initial few months.

Consider Hiring Help

If you can afford it, consider hiring and training someone now, not when you’re sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. Ideally, having someone come in for a couple of hours each afternoon, especially after dinner – your most tired point and baby’s crankiest– can be a huge relief. Just having the dishes cleaned, a load of laundry done, and the house tidied up can significantly enhance your mental health and well-being. Not to mention giving you, your baby and your husband a chance to relax and bond.

Be Mindful with the Baby Registry

Yes, baby stuff is incredibly cute. But when creating your baby registry, also think about practical items like gift cards for cleaning services or meal delivery. These can come in really handy when you’re navigating the initial weeks of motherhood.

Pre-Buy Diapers

Diapers are a definite necessity for the new baby, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you go through them. Consider subscribing to a service like Amazon, where you can pre-buy a couple of boxes for each size. This way, you’re well-stocked for the first few months, and you don’t have to worry about running out at inconvenient times.

Assumptions

You are pregnant and nesting so I am assuming you are already WAY AHEAD ME on these:

Deep cleaning the house

• Freezing meals
• Stocking up on essentials: wipes, toiletries, sanitary pads, and easy snacks.
• Preparing your baby’s clothes
• Setting up a nursing station
• Planning your postpartum recovery (This includes purchasing recovery essentials like comfortable underwear, nursing bras, and pain relief items. Also, consider physical recovery strategies such as a postpartum exercise plan (once approved by your doctor)).
• Researching and choosing a pediatrician
• Pre-arranging childcare for other children

Remember, preparation is key to reducing stress once the baby arrives. By thinking ahead and setting up systems now, you can ensure you have more time and energy to dedicate to your new bundle of joy. Next time, we will talk about the “must haves” of the baby registry