Postpartum Vlog: Prairie Moon, Week 6

WHAT WEEK?
6

HOW BIG IS BABY?
I don’t want to wake her up and weigh her right now as I’m writing this but I’m guessing she’s about 10lbs/4.5kg

WHAT’S SOMETHING NEW THIS WEEK?
Nappy rash doh! Prairie got a few red dots down below this week which she hasn’t had before. We swapped out for disposable nappies in preparation for our travel so we could pack our cloth nappies in the suitcase. It only took a day for it to appear on her butt after we switched over.

My girls have both had the most sensitive skin so I have used the combo of powder/calendula cream as a preventative since Prairie was born and once the bottom was irritated after the disposables I just created an even thicker layer and weaved in some nappy free time. Luckily it hasn’t progressed and seems to be healing, so it was just a very superficial rash.

MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT?
This week has been pretty chill, travelling with 4 kids is no joke so there were trying moments during those 2 days but honestly everyone was so great. Prairie pooped almost every hour on the plane so I was up and down many many times changing her because I was also actively managing her nappy rash so that came with its challenges but all in all it’s been a wonderful week and it couldn’t feel better to be here in LA!

FAVOURITE MOMENTS?
Our reunion with Mark was amazing. It’s just so lovely seeing how happy the kids are with him and for me to have a break. I haven’t had one in 5.5 weeks! There’s no one equal to me that can parent the way I do and take on the responsibilities, the driving, ensuring they’re eating healthily, the boundary setting and all those things. Mum is so sweet and wonderful, she is great at helping me out, doing the washing for me (she does the nappies!) and I can always ask her for favours but there is really nothing like an equal parenting partner and being back with Mark means the work load goes back to 50% and that is sweet relief! Like right now- I’m writing this from my bed right now at 11:15am! Yes Poet is breastfeeding and I’ve just put Prairie to sleep but the kids have all been dressed and fed and all I have to do today is unpack and have Prairie with me ahhh the joys!

MAMA TIME?
Right now! I’ve been chilling in bed getting some emails done, Mark is picking up breakky for me and then I’ll get to unpack which I absolutely love doing. It’ll be true crime podcast on and unpack we go!

MY BODY:
I’m down to about 123lbs/55.7kg so I have about 7lbs/3kg left until my pre preggo weight. This has been such an organic experience of getting back to my regular size, I’ve been eating the way I usually do and just nursing Prairie (and Poet!) I haven’t been exercising as I have been running out of time each day. Every morning I try to figure out when I can move my body but I’ve been completely unsuccessful recently. Now that I’m here in LA with Mark I know I’ll have much more time to be able to get outdoors and off for a hike. I’m so excited to do that but have enjoyed this slower pace of thinking about getting back in to shape. In a few weeks I’ll be starting a postpartum fitness/food regiment that I’ll be documenting for The Well at Lovewell so you should come over there and follow that journey (@lovewell.earth)

WHAT AM I EATING?
Avocado toasts, vegan chocolate bars(!!), popcorn, mamee noodle snacks, green juices, Lovewell, banana bread, pizza and right now I’m sipping an amazing hot ayurvedic latté with chaga, shilajit, reishi, he shou wu and chai powder added from Cafe Gratitude- YUM

WHAT’S WORKING?
I’ve had a few people recently comment on “4th baby parenting” when they see me with Prairie and what I’m taking that to mean is just being super relaxed about her. If she cries I dive in to the tools I’ve learnt to soothe her, starting at the top of the list with nursing her, then burping her, rocking and shushing her to sleep or changing her nappy. It’s picking from the smorgasbord or soothing techniques. I know how she likes to be held and the sort of movement that works with her body. I’m not sure if it comes with being a seasoned parent, just being attuned to her cues or if I have an ‘easy’ baby but being relaxed around her I believe helps her to feel relaxed. I’ve actually seen her with someone who gets stressed when she cries and she cries harder, I always think it’s a good reminder that babies are so affected by our energy, so if we can work on ways to calm ourselves and tend to our needs we will be able to meet our babies needs from a place of confidence and calmness.

CHECKING IN:
Prairie really seems to be transitioning out of her newborn phase now, she is still of course so little but with the little coos this week and much more awake time I’m really starting to see her blossom in to a gorgeous chubby baby. Her head control is much stronger now and she’s growing out of (some) of her newborn clothes. It’s just another little reminder to cherish the days as they go so fast.