No More Sick Days

My mom said that the biggest shock she had about being a new mom was that the baby didn’t seem to understand when she was sick. You can be coughing, sneezing, running a fever, even throwing up, and the baby still wakes up in the night and needs your attention. In fact, if the baby is sick too, then you’re in real trouble.

When I worked outside the home, I was usually loathe to call in sick. I’d have to be pretty ill to make that call. But sometime I did. And then I’d just stay home and wallow in my illness, make myself some tea, stretch out on the couch, and spend the whole day sleeping or watching movies. As with so many pre-baby things, those days are gone.

What are some ways to take care of yourself when you and the baby are both sick?  Well, the first thing you can do is revert back to the days when you had a newborn.  Remember the old adage, “Sleep when the baby sleeps”?  Do that.  Don’t worry about your house or the meals.  Raid your freezer or order a pizza.  Let the dishes pile up or get your husband to do them.  Try to carve out as much time as you can for yourself.

Also, try to take care of your own needs.  Drink liquids.  Take your vitamins.  Eat as well as your freezer or take-out menu allow.  Accept offers of help.  This is the time to appreciate your neighbors when they plow your driveway.  Just wait to make them cookies until you aren’t contagious anymore!

If all else fails (and it might), just take it a day at a time.  In a week or so, everyone will be feeling better, and you’ll have a chance to catch up on that mountain of laundry.