Parenthood: A Guide to Surviving A Newborn (Coffee)

Having a baby is an exciting time in any mom’s life, but nothing totally prepares you for what it’s like to take care of a newborn baby. Your normal routine is hijacked by this adorable infant terrorist who seems intent on controlling you with an endless routine of feedings, diaper changes, crying fits, and if you’re lucky, the occasional nap.

What’s a new mom to do when faced with a newborn? The answer, in a word, is coffee. According to the La Leche League, a nursing mother can safely have five cups of coffee a day. Did you have that much coffee before you had a baby? Of course, not all new mothers nurse, which means bottle-fed baby mamas can have as much as their heart's desire (and tolerate), so brew away if it works for you.

Moms who have survived a newborn have some practical advice to share. These little pearls of wisdom may help you:

• Get sleep whenever and wherever you can.
• Let your partner help you, from bottle feedings at 2 am to multiple diaper changes.
• Watch out for signs of post-partum depression; it’s real, and it’s not a sign of weakness.
• Newborns change and grow very quickly, so this too shall pass

Here’s the important thing to remember about motherhood: every mom and every baby are different. This newborn period is intense, but it’s also fleeting. In about eight weeks, things start to get into a pattern. You and your baby may be sleeping more, and you will have adjusted. Maybe you won’t have to rely on coffee as much to make it through the day, but just know that whenever you need it, coffee has your back.