by Daphne Berryhill

The holiday lights are flickering off and it’s back to the normal, everyday EVERY DAY. It’s January. If you’ve spent a few winters in Wisconsin, you know there’s no end in sight to the blustery bite of winter … regardless of whether some chosen groundhog sees its shadow next month.

And if you have a new baby this winter, the long slog ahead might feel especially daunting.

Here, we’ll share 7 parent-tested tips for thriving with your new baby this winter.

Create a hygge haven for you and your baby

Do you remember the hygge-hype in 2016? Well, in case you’ve forgotten — because 2016 does feel like forever ago — hygge (pronounced hyoo-gah) is the Danish word that describes a feeling of coziness.

Here are a few things that’ll help you bring some of that hygge vibe into your home while nesting this winter with your baby:

A cozy nook

Having a warm, safe spot to relax, read, talk on the phone, or binge watch is great — and it doesn’t need to be Pottery Barn perfect! A comfy spot on an old couch works fine as long as the essentials are nearby: a blanket, baby care items, a safe spot for a mug or plate of food, a stack of your favorite books, and a pen and paper. Don’t forget to have a safe place to set your baby down nearby too.

A comfy housecoat

It might be a fleece-lined flannel or maybe a warm wrap. Something you can wear over your pajamas and feel decent enough to answer the front door or even grab the mail. Pockets are great too. While keeping you warm, it might also work as an emergency burp cloth, or cover for your baby’s chilly toes during feedings.

Warm slippers for you

Comfort is good, but also make sure they fit securely, have non-skid soles, and are trip-free. Because everyone — at every age — should be careful about falling in the home.

A warm glow from ambient lighting

Though candles are synonymous with hygge, they’re simply not worth the risk that you’ll be distracted with the baby and forget about them. Instead, rely on a combination of dimmable overhead lights, safe lamps, and/or nightlights to get that relaxed, ambient glow.

A baby-friendly floor plan

A diaper changing table in the dining room? Furniture against the wall to maximize floor space for baby toys, bouncers and tummy-time blankets? Rearrange your space to maximize safety, convenience, and comfort.

Keep calm (get informed) and then carry on

The winter season can add extra concerns to a new parent’s worry list. Seasonal respiratory viruses. Dry skin from the cold. Keeping baby safe and warm. And going out anywhere — in the car or on foot — requires extra precautions.

To become well informed, you need credible information that’s well-sourced, fact-checked and up to date. But a lot of what you’ll find in your social media feeds and from Dr. Google searches won’t meet these standards — so be careful.

The American Academy of Pediatrics parenting website is one trusted source. But your best source is often your child’s medical provider. Remember, any question or concern you have about your baby’s well-being is important. And even if you’re not a first time parent, go ahead and ask because information is changing so rapidly.

So get well informed so you know what to do to keep your baby safe. And when you know what to do, you’ll have less to worry about and can carry on with confidence!

Remember: needing ‘help’ is normal

Though new parents are told that it’s okay to ask for help, the truth is, it’s more than okay. Needing help is normal. It’s also okay — and normal — to need a different kind of help than another parent you know.

Some parents may want more privacy and prefer to have something dropped off, like a meal, or supplies. Others may want lots of people around to hold the baby or take over kitchen duty. And some may really want a trusted family member or friend to watch their baby so they can have a break. So go ahead, and ask for the kind of help that’s helpful for you.

It’s also important to know that if you or your partner are dealing with mood or behavioral struggles, needing help for mental health is just as normal as it is with any other medical issue you might be having.

Your OB-GYN or midwife — even your child’s provider — can help you find resources. And just recently, the U.S. Health and Human Services launched a new National Maternal Mental Health Hotline; it’s free and confidential.

For emergencies, everyone should know about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Avoid the drift - get anchored!

There’s a certain amount of drift that’s bound to happen when you’re on “baby time” — you know what that is. Your whole life’s schedule is suddenly centered around whether your baby’s hungry, sleepy, or crabby. And during the winter, when the days are shorter and you’re stuck inside, days can easily start to run together.

Here are a few tips for avoiding this drift, and getting anchored:

Early morning light exposure

Even if it’s cloudy, even if it’s only a quick walk outside, or even if it’s only through a window. Get some natural light exposure, each and every morning.

Stay connected with others

Social media is handy for staying in touch with lots of people, but having regular phone calls with a beloved family member or friend can help you feel more connected.

Keep some habits non-negotiable

Don’t let the basics go, like brushing and flossing everyday and taking the garbage out. If you don’t feel like you’re able to handle these basic tasks, that’s okay, but make sure to let someone know right away. Remember: needing help is normal.

Have some place to go

You might not feel like it right away, but at some point, you’re gonna want to get out. Whether it be your library, place of worship, or grocery store — almost any outing can help break the cabin fever. Kindermusik classes are also a great way to get out of the house in a fun, relaxed, and baby-safe setting where you can connect with other families too.

Nourish yourself with nourishing foods

It's easy to understand why postpartum nutrition is so important; your body just went through a massive metamorphosis, growing a whole new person, and then separating from it. On top of that, your body may need even more nutrients now if you’re breastfeeding.

But even if you aren’t the birth parent, the newborn days are exhausting, and you need nourishment too. You’re sleep deprived; your back hurts because your baby loves being held in the way that’s least comfortable for you; you’re emotionally fatigued from the highs and lows of the past few weeks. And during the dark days of winter, it’s even easier for self-care habits to get lost.

While eating nourishing foods is one of the best ways to take care of yourself during this challenging time, it’s also the hardest because who has time to plan meals, much less prepare them?

Here are a few quick pick-me-up snacks that won’t let you down:

String cheese and an apple
Frozen veggies
Beans and rice
Nut butter on unsalted rice crackers
Sugar-free greek yogurt and a banana
Hummus and peppers
Oatmeal with ceylon cinnamon, chia and flax

Also, try to plan for help after a grocery trip because getting the food home is only one step towards having a meal to eat. Having an extra hand to help hold the baby or do some of the kitchen prep can help make sure you have a chance to eat that nourishing food before it perishes.

Slow-cooker meals might feel doable on some days, but if not, keep some screenshots of some of your favorite takeout menu items. If you can’t pick them up, sending a picture of what you want to one of your helpers can be a quick way to get a meal that you know you’ll want to eat.

Go ahead and binge — but mind your media

During the early baby days, you might end up racking up a lot of TV time. Sometimes you might not be sleepy yet feel too tired to do much of anything else. You’ll also be spending a lot of couch time during the newborn phase — feeding and holding your baby — so why not check out what’s streaming?

There’s nothing wrong with finding interesting shows to help keep you entertained during some of the repetitive fatigue that comes with caring for a new baby. And between the baby cries, you might even feel like it’s date night, cuddled up with your partner on the couch.

It’s important though to choose shows and movies that aren’t anxiety-provoking. So check in with yourself; if what you’re watching is stressing you out, stream something else. And don’t limit yourself to screen time. Listening to a wide range of music can be enjoyed with your baby right from the start. Audio books are also great … they might even help you and your baby fall asleep.

Plan for the sunny, warm days ahead

As the days get longer, little by little, having something to look forward to can really help during the final winter stretch. Even if your vacation budget is literally zero, you can still plan some family outings to parks, cheap eats, libraries, and the many natural resources that Wisconsin’s beauty has to offer. Or how about day trips to some nearly free touristy destinations? And here in Wisconsin, the cheesier the better.

Madison Mom is a great resource for lots of local fun activities with kids, all within driving distance from Madison. But other parents are great resources for ideas too, especially if you’re new to the area, or a new parent yourself. Asking about places to go and things to do can also be great conversation starters with other parents.

Finally, when sunny, warm days eventually return, after a wintertime spent caring for a new baby, you should give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve been well prepared for the future ebb and flow of parenthood!

Thriving with your new baby during Wisconsin winter's long slog