Your Baby Is Here! Now What? Real Life Tips on Being a Mom
Hot mama Kristine Lucido is back and she’s talking all about the tips and must-haves for mom, baby, & significant others. Just a little recap of how we met…
Kristine & I met in Coronado at an event I was speaking at. I liked her right away.
She came right up to me & her energy was super real & straight to the point. She was beautiful & one of the first people who was really vulnerable & raw about motherhood to me. She was very authentic in sharing her experience & didn’t sugarcoat anything.
She has been a very supportive TSC reader who has now become my friend. After one of my events we went to a Mexican restaurant & while we had skinny margs, chips & salsa, she told me about her idea to start a blog. I thought I was great idea because she has such a unique perspective on motherhood. She’s my favorite kind of girl because she EXECUTED !! Her blog is here: theticklespot.com. Be sure to check it out.
Since I love her approach on motherhood, I wanted her to come back on the blog to share some more advice with us.
I find Kristine to be a very interesting, supportive person & just an all around good human.
But !!! Not only are you hearing from Kristine today, you’re also going to get some hot tips from Carly of the Preggers Pantry & Jule the Bee. Carly & Jule have both been on the blog before and always share the best tips and hacks.
Let’s get right to it and welcome Kristine, Carly & Jule back to The Skinny Confidential.
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Welcome Home! Now that you’ve delivered, we’d like to officially welcome you to the Mom’s Club. YOU DID IT! Now you know exactly why we should really be the ones getting celebrated on birthdays!! Lol, just kidding… Kind of 
Anyway, it’s pure bliss, right?! All the glowy, warm butterflies are fluttering. Ehh.. Kinda.. Sort of.. Ok, it hasn’t been the most glamorous of journeys, you’re exhausted and you feel like each one of your nerves is going to explode. I totally get it… but, you made it!! Time to pop the champagne ( get excited to learn the tricks of pumping-&-dumping if you’re breastfeeding ), and let the real fun begin! The first weeks are flat fucking challenging for everyone. Adjusting to a new routine and trying to appease every little discomfort the baby has, is EXHAUSTING. But in all honesty, it really doesn’t change much throughout Motherhood, so I urge you to embrace the tiredness! It’s really like a whole other topic, so we’ll talk more about that later… Baby is HERE! NOW WHAT?!
When I was pregnant with Max ( first pregnancy ) I remember going into my doctor’s office at 11 or 12 weeks pregnant, and specifically requesting a window facing the sunrise, a treadmill, and the largest bottle of champagne the hospital would allow, all in my recovery room. I was already mentally preparing for my comeback. Which was a smidge premature, sure, but when you find out you’re pregnant the first thing you think about is how much weight you’re going to gain.
I mean shit, let’s be real here- you have a mini panic attack because you’re like “fuck I’m going to blow up like a balloon and then I have to shed all the weight just to feel like myself again.” Well, you’re not lying to yourself- your body is going to change ALOT!! But what you probably don’t realize, is that it will never be the same. Ever. In fact, it takes approx. 7 years for a woman’s body to fully recover from creation, birth, and postpartum. So ya- don’t go in like me thinking a treadmill and a bottle of champs are happening, it doesn’t quite go like that!
But the good news is, after the first few weeks you will get cleared when your doctor thinks you’re ready for physicality and alcohol. So for now, focus on how GOOD it feels to have your body back! It’s just you in there again, finally! The first few nights in the hospital with Max I barely slept a wink. I could feel my brain reprogramming itself or something, it was the strangest feeling- but from that very first night, I’ve never ever slept the same. Over time it gets easier, and you fall into your routine, but “mom sleep” is a real thing. You’ll acclimate. And you’ll feel strong and confident again. You get your mojo back. Molly Sims is right, everyone loses the weight in their own time. So don’t fret. And don’t worry so much about your comeback; there’s a new person here who’s really excited to be with you and doesn’t give a shit what you look like 
So in this new mom space, where we all agree there is too much judgement, I wanted to bring more than just my experience into this post. I thought, I know what’s more valuable than just my take- getting three different perspectives from moms who all have children at different ages and stages to shed a little light on this very pivotal chapter. So I invited two amazing women that I admire, and know Lauryn holds high, to share along with me. If you haven’t had a chance to checkout these talented women, DEFINITELY take a moment to:
Carly Zuffinetti | @thepreggerspantry
Carly Zuffinetti is a former school teacher with a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She created her Instagram account and blog, The Preggers Pantry, during her first pregnancy in hopes to connect with and share ideas with other health conscious, like-minded mamas. She is involved with Miracle Babies, SAY San Diego, and Friends of San Pasqual charities. Carly lives in Encinitas, California with her husband Adam and sons Rio (5) and Dante (3). She loves yoga, animals, and all things baby. Carly has been a recurring guest blogger on the ErgoBaby Blog. Carly also created her own natural skin care line after learning about the importance of using safe skincare during pregnancy.
Follow Carly @thepreggerspantry and be sure to try out her oil blends!! I have been using them for 4 years now and will forever! Also, check out her posts on The Skinny Confidential: how to have a happy healthy pregnancy, a day in the life of a badass mom, & how to trick your kids into eating healthy AF.
Julianne Osherow | @julethebee
As a little girl Julianne Osherow ( aka Jule The Bee ) grew up pretending there was a camera crew following her. Now all grown up, you’ll find her dancing in her kitchen while cooking up healthy and delicious ReciBEES, all the while serving up a real life taste of marriage and motherhood. @julethebee is more reality show than Instagram account. Shamelessly ( yet strangely comfortably ) Jule turns the camera on herself and her immediate family members. She is a wife, mother, and now accidental influencer. Her website Julethebee.com is a home base for all her ReciBEES, favorite items, and also the “Ask The Bee” advice column. When Jule is not writing you’ll likely find her at SoulCycle or in her SoulCycle onesie with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in hand. And while part of her still hopes that a camera crew materializes, she’s now realized you can always be your own.
Follow Jule @julethebee and at www.julethebee.com. And if you don’t have a magic pan yet- HURRY!! It’s life changing! Jule has also written posts for The Skinny Confidential: tips on how to keep it together in motherhood, 10 life hacks you guys need in your life, plus you can check out 2 of Lauryn’s favorite hacks she got from Jule here & here.
So us three amigas collaborated on what we think the best tips are for mom, dad ( or s/o ), and baby, plus your must-haves! Hopefully this gives you a vast look at what will help you most during the first few weeks you’re home with baby. Cheers Mamas!
And and a little more about me…
Kristine Lucido | @tinikristini
I’m a mom of two, who just wants to have fun! I like to keep it simple, and real, with a no-bullshit approach to sharing my tips & tricks in motherhood. I have a strong emphasis in the kitchen since that’s my area of expertise, my comfort zone, and my favorite place to be! I like to take motherhood on with a fab face mask, a good, healthy snack and a glass of champagne. Not taking anything too seriously, ya know ! With over 18 years of experience in food, beverage & events, I’ve got a lot of fun stuff to share. In all honesty, I never planned on having kids.. To me the idea of happiness meant no ties, no bounds, no responsibilities. Being able to live wild and free. Which is fun. Especially when you’re young… Little did I know how drastically things would change in time. People you meet become partners and friends you don’t want to live without. Places become homey and comfortable spaces you crave. Life begins to bloom in ways you didn’t plan. And before you know it, you’re knocked up eating bon-bons. Hopefully my perspective can help you on your journey into motherhood! Or at least give you a giggle
TIPS FOR MOM
Kristine:
♡ Meal prep.
Haul in everything healthy you love to eat because believe it or not, you will be hungrier post pregnancy- especially if you’re breastfeeding. I couldn’t stop shoving my face. You burn an insane amount of calories producing and extracting breast milk ( there are 89637241 benefits for breastfeeding if you choose to ), in addition to your body moving into retraction and postpartum. So, it’s important to eat nutritiously for your mental health and well-being during this critical & amazing time. Of course, it’s a must to indulge in a craving here and there. Moderation is everything!!
♡ Mom’s spot.
Now that you have a new roommate, it’s imperative to have a defined space that is very much your own. A little sanctuary. It could be anywhere, the bathroom. Your closet. Whatevs. Somewhere you can go when you feel overwhelmed and you can give yourself a “timeout.” Five, ten minutes to regroup makes all the difference. You’ll find yourself spending a lot more time at home with baby, so I think it’s really important to remember to give yourself time & space. To breathe, meditate, put a sheet mask on, or enjoy a little quiet time ya know ( w/ a glass of wine and a smut mag maybe, idk?! ), whatever it is just to give yourself a little you time.
♡ Enjoy it.
Everyone will tell you, sleep & hot showers! it’s true, they are both amazing, but looking back I have to say I think just basking in the softness and purity of a newborn really is so special and goes way too fast. However you choose to parent and spend these moments, they are truly the most precious ones.
Carly:
There’s nothing like newborn snuggles. Don’t ever feel guilty about just cozying up and not going anywhere-especially for the first few weeks of your baby’s life. In many countries people keep their babies at home for the first month of life at least. Other countries also have much longer periods for maternity leave, and rightfully so. These babies need us so much. Enjoy the time because you’ll never get it back.
Take your time and go easy on yourself as you transition back to work/real life. As you feel ready and your baby gets older, do what feels right. Trust that mama gut! When my babies were new I would always make sure to have one outing a day. It might have been just a walk around the block or a yoga class but it felt good for me to get dressed, workout, and be in nature. Do what feels right for you and don’t ever feel guilty if you just want stay home and enjoy your baby. Also, look into a postpartum doula and the Ayurvedic postpartum diet for at least the first 2 months after birth.
Jule:
I’ve talked about this before and I’ll say it till I drop. There is no room for martyrdom in motherhood. It isolates, it’s depressing and it serves no one. Not you, not your husband, not the baby. In other words, bring in the trusted troops. You have roughly 7 months to figure out who your team is. Put down the books on how to purée your own organic baby food and figure this out first. I beg of you. It’s your comfort zone and budget, of course, but no one, I repeat NO ONE has ever regretted spending money on trusted childcare. Your mother in law can help you? Wonderful! Your sister’s coming into town for 3 whole weeks to help? Amazeballs! You’re a lucky Mama! Just make sure you’re all on the same page as to what everyone’s boundaries and responsibilities are. Don’t have this kind of familial sitch?
Breathe, it’s ok. I didn’t have that either and truthfully I don’t think I would have wanted it if I had. There was something lovely and soothing and comforting having a neutral presence of a baby nurse in our home whose sole responsibility was to help us in this emotionally charged, sleep deprived and confusing time of new parenthood. Don’t have the budget for this? That’s ok! Don’t feel above hiring a 17 year old to come in while you and the baby nap to help fold a load ( or three thousand loads ) of laundry and to empty the dishwasher.
When my boys were babies I truly thought everything had to be perfect. And for the most part I believed it had to be done by me. Had I just stopped making the bed and crawled into it instead I would have been a much happier new mommy, indeed. I talk all about this and more with Julie Lauren on our live episode of Hashtag No Filter.
MUST-HAVES
Kristine:
♡ Tucks medicated cooling pads.
♡ Pink Stork Bundle: nursing, recovery, postpartum.
♡ Recovery panties. These are way better than they sound!!
*If you had a c-section birth, they make special comfy panties now.
*If you had a vaginal birth, these ones are fantastic.
Carly:
I wore my babies non-stop! Love both of these wraps & slings: Solly Baby Wrap ( newborn – 6 months ), Beachwood Baby Sling & Ergo carrier ( 6 months + ).
I wore my babies non stop! Love these wraps & slings!
Jule:
♡ Jule The Bee Magic Pan:
I actually gifted this to Lauryn a few months ago as a thank you for all her support. I WISH I had had this pan as a new mom. The easiest cooking and cleaning you’ll ever experience.
♡ Immersion Blender:
When you are ready to make that homemade organic baby purée or some cauliflower mash for yourself when you feel like focusing on losing that baby weight, meet your new BFF.
♡ White Distilled Vinegar:
No bleach for baby!!!!! Please! I’ll stick my tips and tricks for the best and freshest laundry on earth in my highlights on @julethebee, but for now here’s the number one product that you need for the cleanest, greenest, baby soft laundry: white distilled vinegar. I use it on my big boys still and the stinkiest of my SoulCycle laundry. You’re welcome
♡ Organic Baby Washcloths:
Not just for baby! I use these every single night to remove the grime of the day from my face. I don’t feel fully clean without them anymore and my skin has never looked better. Don’t worry if you’re too tired for makeup; clean skin and a little pink lippy is all you need. See below for that…
♡ Pink Lippy:
My grandmothers taught me to never be without lipstick and no matter how dirty and tired I got as a new mommy this always rang in my head. You might not remember or give a shit all the time, but this insanely inexpensive, perfect nude pale pink is never far from my reach. It’s amazing how a little lippy makes you feel a little human again.
TIPS FOR DAD OR YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER:
Kristine:
♡ Create a daily habit with baby: it’s true that baby will naturally feel more connected to mom after birth, so I found creating specific to-do’s for just baby & the huz helped majorly in creating their bond.
Bath time, walking the dog, etc. is so good for them! Plus, it gives you a nice little break too. My husband would make warm eucalyptus showers & baths in the evenings before we would read bedtime stories. You’ve just gotta find what works for you!
Carly:
♡ For those first several months let Dad do skin on skin contact as much as possible. Have Dada read lots of books too-she will know both your voices right away and reading and talking to her as much as possible. I think my boys love books so much because I read to them from day one!
Jule:
♡ Oh Boy. Pun intended. Not an easy time for Daddy either, ya know. Sending all the sympathy and all the love, and willing all the Daddies out there to have patience and be kind because spoiler alert: you’re gonna lose your wife for a bit. Don’t worry she’ll be back, but I know it can be lonely, and it’s not easy.
If she’s nursing, being the sole food source for a small human ( ZERO judgement if she’s not ) is no easy task and it’s not easy feeling like an alien has taken over your body only to find that now that alien lives with you full-time and wakes you up every 1-3 hours around the clock. Hang in there Daddy, it’s a beautiful, insane ride and chances are you’ll love it just enough to decide to do it all over again.
MUST-HAVES FOR DAD
Kristine:
♡ This book: We’re Parents! The NEW-DAD Book
Carly:
♡ My husband loved this baby carrier and the boys loved to be worn by him once they hit about the 4 month mark. Try to wear baby facing in (toward you) until she refuses then wear her facing out so she can see the world!
Jule:
♡ We still use a noise machine! And I mean we ALL still use these. Each boy ( now 13 and 11 ) along with Bazz and me. Eventually it becomes Pavlovian, turn it on and night night kiddos! Daddy’s gonna thank me for helping to get that kid sleeping through the night. Cause once that happens, you, my friend, start to get your wife back! No need to write me a thank you note, I know you’re tired too.
TIPS FOR BABY
Kristine:
♡ Precious baby! ENJOY IT!! Wouldn’t we all love to be carried and toted around in cute outfits, being hand-fed..! Life is good. One thing to avoid though, while you’re such a tiny tot, is the calming, soothing scent of lavender. While a lot of baby products have this pure ingredient, it’s been linked to premature puberty. Tea tree oil and lavender oil both mimic estrogen. Soy too, is a source of phytoestrogens. More info can be found in this article. So please be precautious and always double check with your pediatrician if you’re unsure about a product or ingredient for baby.
Carly:
♡ Babies love nature! I took my babies outside as much as possible. I loved wearing my babies on walks and they love being close to you, so find a baby carrier you loved ( a wrap when they are newborns-3 months makes them feel like they are back in the womb ).
When you’re on walks with them, stop and smell the flowers, look up at the trees and examine the leaves. Babies love it and the fresh air and Vitamin D are so good for them. Tell her all about everything you see, and use your normal, calm tone of voice.
I talked to my boys constantly and they were both verbal really early on. Even when I was changing their diapers I would talk to them every step of the way. “I’m going to wipe you now, these are the wipes we use to clean your bottom” etc. Talk about everything and continue to do so throughout childhood!
Look into mommy/baby yoga classes when the baby is around 3-4 months. I learned a lot about the importance of movement for babies and how to gently stretch and massage your baby. I know you might not be into all the mommy groups but I did meet some amazing friends at my mommy/baby yoga classes!
Jule:
♡ I kid you not, I’m fairly certain that unless we were on a plane neither one of my kids ever missed a bath in the evening. A small Bee Brag? Maybe. But I swear this end of day routine saved me probably a hundred thousand times over.
Your days are long as a new mommy. They can be lonely and at times incredibly boring. Routine is everything when the minutes tend to crawl into hours. That bath time routine starts to signal the bedtime routine and for me it was like a life preserver that I clung to each night. Dim the lights, scent the water with some baby safe essential oils, lay out a fresh soft towel to wrap him in when you pull that tiny slippery body out of that warm water, warm up that final bottle or get the boob ready, turn on that noise machine and feel the whole vibe in your house shift and wind down for night night time. I get sleepy just thinking about it.
MUST-HAVES FOR BABY
Kristine:
♡ Both of my kids still have this very nap-able blanket from when they were born, it’s become a newborn gift staple for us.
Carly:
♡ The Ergobaby carrier is their new best friend!
Jule:
♡ Aden & Anais Swaddles: An old friend founded this company and these blankets were one of the best things to happen to my boys as babies. Soft, breathable muslin material with the chicest of patterns. Perfect for swaddling, draping over a stroller, discreet nursing in public if that’s your thing and it sure as shit was mine ( I didn’t even want the baby looking at my boob let alone a stranger in the banquet next to me in the middle of a restaurant ).
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Hope you guys loved this post and it brought you lots of value. As always, would love to hear any of your tips, tricks and advice below.
x, lauryn
+ scope what was in my hospital bag.
++ check out how the fuck to have a baby & still live your life.
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