by Sue Langeder

Created on: June 13, 2009   Last Updated: June 16, 2009

'New mommy' boredom can be extremely dangerous. It can lead to post-natal depression, weight gain, and self-esteem issues. Before that baby pops out, have a plan and know what you want do to get through the first 6-12 months of your baby's life.

Create your own daily routine (not your baby's). Get the exercise over and done with by going for a morning walk with your baby in the pram. A walk is a great start to the day as the fresh air leaves you feeling invigorated for the rest of the day.

Start your dream. If your dream is to write a novel, run a website business, make professionally made cupcakes, do on-line study, learn how to make a quilt, or knit a jumper, this is the time that you can. You've got a baby who will generally sleep, eat, and poo for the first 3 months of their life; in between all that sleeping, eating, pooing and nuzzling, you will have time and flexibility to take on one of these projects. Who knows, you may make a successful business out of it all.

Sleep. Don't be so hard on yourself if you missed out on sleep. If your baby had a hard night, make up for your sleep loss when they do. Don't forget that you can continue your dream of writing a novel or creating a website business in the wee hours after your baby's just had a feed.

Join a mothers' group. Keep the social activity up with like-minded moms going through the same issues as you are - you'll talk about anything from mothers-in-law, eating right (or wrong), husbands/partners, what's the best car seat, your new venture, when the crying just won't stop, to pacify or not to pacify. So many things to talk about and you can get so many different points of view from those going through exactly the same thing as you. You'll wonder what you did without them.

Don't forget you. Make sure your partner understands that you need some 'me' time. Enroll in a gym class once or twice a week, go to a library for some quiet time, pamper yourself with a massage, have a latte with a friend sans baby. You need to remember that you didn't give up your own life when you were pushing the watermelon out of the hole the size of a lemon on the delivery table.

When the baby's asleep, even if it takes till 9pm at night, sit down and enjoy a romantic dinner for two with your partner. Rekindle your relationship with a glass of sparkling and a home-cooked meal. Light some candles and have the bed ready for a naughty night in. Even if you make the effort once a month, you'll enjoy your partner and your baby even more.

If all these fail, get yourself a part time job. Most likely you are craving adult conversation on a regular basis, conversation that is completely unrelated to your baby. But in doing this, you have to be sure about the childcare implications involved.

There are many ways to cope with 'new mommy' boredom. Just remember to breathe in, breathe out, and be creative in your thinking.

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