Boundaries in pregnancy are important but in postpartum it gets REAL.
Text messages. Phone calls. Visitors. Appointments. Thank you notes. Did I mention visitors?!
All of this while you are HEALING from childbirth, not sleeping much, feeding around the clock, and bonding with your new perfect baby.
Start to think about the kind of boundaries you will have after the baby is born and talk through them with your support people (parents, other family members, friends, etc.)
• If you want space when you first bring your baby home- make that clear.
•If you want a welcome home party for baby- make that clear and have someone arrange it for you.
• Tell your visitors that you will let them know when it’s a good time to swing by.
• If your visitors stay too long – tell them that its nap time for you and baby, thank them for their presence and head to the bedroom.
• Consider starting a meal train for yourself (I start one for @joyinbirthandbeyond clients!)
• When your visitors ask you “what can I do to help?” … let them fold a basket of laundry, unload the dishwasher, or hold the baby so you can rest or maybe even paint your nails?!
•Lastly, its ok for your boundaries to change. Your world is about to change dramatically. Just express your wants and needs in a kind but meaningful matter.