I have had enough children now to realize that these newborn days go by so very quickly. These first weeks and months can get lost among elusive sleep, visitors, doctor appointments, the busyness of life, and, yes, even Facebook posts.
Of course, they aren’t really lost. As we are nourishing, feeding, and caring for our cuddly new one, along with our healing body and the rest of the family, our hands are doing good and our days matter.
But, I want to soak it in. I don’t want it to fly by and not have taken the time to savor the little moments that are fresh gifts from God in my life. I want to bask in this reward. To look and see the beauty in what the Lord has done.
I also love lists. They help me focus. They help me organize the things worth doing. As simplistic as some of these things sound, much that is beautiful in this world and much that gets lost are the simple things. After my most recent sweet, snuggly baby was born I made a list to help me to remember to do the beautiful and good, to stop and appreciate the new gift I have been given, and to soak in this season of new life.
The first three months of baby’s life have been called the fourth trimester. This list is perfect for this time. But, so much of this can be used for your baby’s whole first year, and some beyond. It is about cherishing this little one that you have been given.
Note: lists are tools and not to be masters. The goal is never to be trying to check off the boxes (in fact do NOT put boxes on this list!) The goal is to be inspired and to be reminded of things we may otherwise forget. Just enjoying a few is far better than doing it all without joy.
Skin to Skin
The benefits of having baby close against mama’s skin are amazing and God-designed. It is so good for both baby and mom. I want to have my baby against my skin a lot during the day. When I breastfeed, I like to have my babies wear t-shirts (or you can roll up their onesie), and I wear a tank or tee as well. Then we can both rest our bare tummies together while I nurse. In the evening after baby’s bath and massage is a great time to nurse and rest skin to skin with a blanket on top for warmth before getting baby dressed.
I also love baby wraps! I use the Moby, which feels like wearing my baby like a t-shirt. With a loose tank top, I can even keep my baby skin to skin as I move about the house. I also have my eye on the highly recommended LilleBaby All-Seasons as my baby grows. Make snuggling one of your new multitask skills!
The fun thing about being so close to my baby is it makes me feel happy and content just as much as it does my baby.
Newborn Baths
One of the easiest ways to give my baby a bath (once baby is ready for bathing) in these early tiring weeks is when I am getting my own! Another way to be skin to skin, it is comforting to us both to be together in the warm water. You can add a couple drops of lavender oil to the water (just enough to smell) if you are comfortable with that, or add lavender to a diffuser (I have this diffuser). This is probably one of my most favorite memories of my newborns.
Be sure to use precautions when dealing with babies and water. Don’t be overly tired. Always hold onto your baby. I let my husband know when I am getting a bath with the baby so that he can help if needed. I also keep a bouncy seat with a towel draped over it near the tub for having a safe, dry place to put baby down and wrap her up as soon as we are done. More tips are at this link here.
Sing to Your Baby
Yes. It is simple. Sing. Sing of lullabies and stars and moon. I have found that some classic lullabies I only knew in bits and pieces. I have printed out the lyrics (you can tape it near where you sing) or I just fill in with made up words of my own! Which is why my kids think one of the things mama will buy you if you hush and don’t cry, besides a mockingbird, is a porcupine, not to mention the ticket to Sicily.
Some classics are: “Hush Little Baby”, “Braham’s Lullaby” (I like Celine Dion’s version. Not that I sing like her, but hey, fun! Except the French bit is beyond me. Jewel’s version has lovely lyrics as well.) and “Rock a Bye Baby”.
I also have a few of my own originals that have come from changing some words to fit my children’s names and our family. For me, that was “Truly Scrumptious” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It has become one of our favorites that I have sung to each of my children. Sometimes I stick with the lyrics of “a cherry peach parfait” but most of the time “a chocolate chip cupcake” fits my kids better. “My heart beats so unruly because I love you, ….” Just have fun with it. Don’t be afraid to be silly (or sappy, for that matter). These moments are really sweet. Let them be.
This is the best stuff, don’t skimp on it.
Lather it on.“
Sing hymns and psalms. This is the best stuff, don’t skimp on it. Lather it on. Sing “All Things Bright and Beautiful” as you look at creation out the window. Sing “Amazing Grace” as you get your baby dressed. Breastfeeding is a lovely time to sing hymns to your baby as you stroke his head and nose. Sing the Doxology at breakfast with lifted hands. Sing Psalm 128 (try this tune or the tune to “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”) as you make dinner and wear your baby. Even just stick a Bible verse you know to a tune and sing it in a repeated chorus. This is a great time to learn hymns and psalms that you want to learn. It is so easy to save some lyrics on your phone and sing a few while nursing. Soon you won’t need the lyrics at all. There is a reason God’s Word tells us to be filled with psalms and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19). Let us train our own hearts and our children’s hearts in the thoughts of praise and joy that ought to come from them. If I remembered to sing more often, how much worry and frowning I could take out of my day!
The beautiful thing about singing (we really don’t just simply sing on our own enough) is that it draws you as close to your child as they are drawn to you, and it calms them as it calms you. It is a wonderful way to stop and be present in these daily moments. You just can’t do it without joy coming in.
Breathe in that Sweet Newborn Smell
Be present in the moment. Cuddle your baby and breathe deeply of that sweet newborn smell. Look at your baby, this child that God has given. Every moment, no matter how precious, does not last. Time slips through our fingers like sand through an hourglass.
As I look at my baby boy, I realize that the head I can cradle in my hand with the button nose and soft lips will one day hold the face of a man. I wonder at what man he will be, what future God holds in store for him. I pray over him prayers that the Lord would bless him with health and strength, protect him from temptation and the wicked who seek to devour and destroy, that he would be as a tree planted by rivers of water (Psalm 1:1-6), a light in a dark world, and most of all, that God would give him mercy and salvation.
So, cuddle this sweet child. Breathe in that beautiful newborn scent (you know it is addictive and good for you). Be present in the moment. Thank God for your child. Pray over your child.
Baby Massage
I became interested in baby massage when I had a preemie sized baby. I wanted to help him grow and nurture him as much as possible. During one late night feeding as I was researching the benefits of skin to skin and kangaroo care, I came across baby massage. Widely practiced in India, baby massage is a relaxing way to end the day with your baby after a warm bath. A simple tutorial is here. I use an oil so that I am moisturizing my baby’s skin at the same time. You can try this baby massage oil from Earth Mama, Coconut Oil (which is more cooling), or Apricot Kernel Oil (which is inexpensive and because it is more of a warm oil, I prefer this for little babies).
Time Together With Your Husband and Baby
Sometimes we can get caught up in taking care of everything (and everyone!) else. It is so good to take the time to stop, together as husband and wife, to appreciate and to admire this sweet gift that God has given. While we read books in bed, my husband may hold the baby while I rest my head on his shoulder.
Or sometimes I will just ask my husband to stop and spend a few minutes with me sitting on the bed, holding our baby together, and talking about this child’s dimpled chin or watch his little facial expressions as he sleeps. We will take the time to pray over our child before placing him in his bassinet next to our bed to sleep.
This doesn’t happen every night. We are the kind frequently caught up in our books or projects. Hence, why it is on my list! Time slips by and babies just get bigger.
Take Newborn Photos
And, lastly: they grow so fast! It can be easy to miss taking photos in the midst of night after night of interrupted sleep. I am sure to not only use my phone camera (which, as we know, is super convenient) but also keep the actual camera nearby for good quality shots.
I make a short list of a few basic shots:
- Baby on the bed in the center of a row of stuffed animals
- Baby with an extra-large stuffed animal (like this puppy)
- Baby curled on tummy
- Baby in the middle of a blanket surrounded by siblings
- Baby & Mommy / Daddy / Mommy & Daddy / each sibling
And the rest are spontaneous!
These days with your baby are precious and they are challenging. Take time to notice and savor the sweet moments. Let it spill out of a thankful heart.
Go. Make your earth corner lovely. Snuggle your baby. Sing praises.
And, Amen.
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