(there is some discrepancy over whether a babymoon happens pre-baby or post-baby. in this case, i'm going with post-baby.)
having a home birth doesn't mean missing out on a couple of days post-baby pampering you might get at a birth centre, but it does require a bit of forethought and planning.
to keep it simple, i've narrowed it down to three basic areas of preparation - food, shelter, clothing.
(with the added condition that it be completely indulgent, excessive, restful and luxurious!)
....
food
- {plan your meals} we have an entire 5 day menu - breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks - planned and ready to go.
- {luxury food items} for our 5 day menu, we have slowly been stocking up on super-treat foods that we usually wouldn't buy because of cost. we're talking cafe quality muesli and prime cut steaks...
- {minimum prep} the idea is for most of the food to be ready to go with as little prep as possible. most of our babymoon food prep is limited to turning on the oven or putting a salad together.
- {ask for meals} instead of gifts from visitors, ask for food. accept any and all offers for baking and meals.
....
- {nest} make your nesting area as luxurious as possible. this is the area where you will be doing nothing but fawning about sniffing a newborn neck and curling newborn fingers about your own. most likely, it will be your bedroom.
- {bed linen} splash out on brand new, high thread count Egyptian cotton or start collecting gorgeous, good condition thrifted florals. mmmm~~
- {pillows & cushions} in this case, excess wins over practical for a truly indulgent babymoon. steal your kids pillows and cover them with your fave cases for a few days if you have to and be sure to make a pillow case from your favourite fabric for a breastfeeding pillow.
- {clear out} get rid of junk in your room - even if it's to another room just for your babymoon. piles of mess are NOT conducive to restful repose. your area must feel pretty and peaceful.
- {fresh flowers} hopefully at least one person will bring you a bunch of fresh flowers. failing that, buy or pick your own!
....
- {bra} a bra especially for sleeping in/night-nursing isn't essential but is certainly more pleasant when your milk comes in.
- {post-baby clothes} comfortable for fawning and appropriate for visitors - after Monte was born, i felt so rake-thin compared to having a 42 week pregnant belly that i wore a fairly fitting dress when visitors came. i think i almost made the male-visitor ill! so remember, that although you feel like Mary Kate Olsen, you aren't necessarily.../wink!
- {underwear} i avoid splashing out on breastfeeding lingerie until sizes have plateaued - my babymoon priority is comfortable but fancy-ish, dark coloured underwear (yanno why)...we'll get Fancy later ;)
....
what about the older kiddos?
stemming from our reasons for having the kids at the birth, we also believe it is important to have the kids around as much as possible to welcome their new sibling during the first week.
however, when there are 4 of them, we are also realistic in knowing that it probably won't be that relaxing for the postpartum mother and will distract from very important newborn neck sniffing activities.
so, this time (for the first time) my parents will have the kids for 2 nights from Day 2-4 of the babymoon.
....
and of course, we have only prepared food for 5 days but i have every intention of babymooning (in lessening degrees) for at least 6 weeks after having baby.
have you ever planned your own babymoon?
is there anything i've left out that i should include?
~d.
