The Girl's Guide to DC
Issue 73: Dispatch From Newborn Island
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Dispatch From Newborn Island
I’m writing to you from Newborn Island, a liminal space full of diapers, spit-up, and the sweetest baby cuddles. Nick and I welcomed our first daughter Margot Synnøve Solheim at home on November 17, 2022, and we could not be happier.
Margot has her mom’s dark hair and from day one was holding her head up to get a better view of the world (although I’m told she can only see eight to twelve inches in front of her). I won’t describe caring for a newborn as easy, but I will say it’s been even more amazing than I imagined. Margot is just over two weeks old now, and I already feel like she’s growing up too fast!
Most expectant mamas get told “you’ll never sleep again” and to “just wait” for the (allegedly) terrible newborn days. It doesn’t help that we get so focused on having every possible item for baby that we forget what mama will need after giving birth. If you are expecting or have a friend who’s expecting, here are some of my favorite things for the postpartum period that are often left off the gift registry!
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou
Not only is this book beautiful enough to display on your coffee table, it’s chock full of nutritious recipes and information about what your body really needs postpartum. It’s educational and practical — you’ll learn about how various cultures approach caring for mom and baby in the early days, plus receive advice about stocking your fridge and pantry before baby arrives. Buy the book here.
Nursing-friendly pajamas
New mamas live in pajamas and comfy clothes, so having cute options is a must! It also helps if they’re a dark shade to hide spit-up stains. Anything with buttons is automatically nursing-friendly, so I’d recommend this cute nightgown that comes in several colors available here or this bump-friendly burgundy pajama set available here.
Sleep mask
One of the challenges of motherhood is not just finding time to sleep, it’s actually falling asleep when you lay your head on the pillow. A silky sleep mask can help with blocking out light, especially if you’re trying to catch some zzz’s during the day. I have loved using my Kimkoo sleep mask (available in a two-pack here) during Margot’s naps. I haven’t tried these mulberry silk eyemasks from Brooklinen (available here), but I love that they come in tons of cute colors including blush, amethyst, and mint.
A helping hand!
New moms can’t do it all right away — that’s why I’m really thankful that my mom and my husband Nick have been taking care of Margot and me as I heal after giving birth. Not all of us are lucky enough to have a family member who can drop everything to help out, but we do have friends and neighbors who care. If you want to show love to a new mom, it can be as simple as making her a batch of peanut butter lactation bites (recipe here), offering to fold laundry, or dropping off groceries.
Find Me in Print!
I’m very excited to have an article in the upcoming print issue of Evie Magazine! Find the preorder link here — I promise there’s something in the magazine for everyone.
Ask Evie
Have a question you want me to answer in the newsletter? Click this link to send your question anonymously! You can read my most recent Ask Evie column about friendship here.
Congratulations, again, Evie! She's darling. Hope to meet her one day!