chelsea barbine (00:00.322)
Hi, mama. Welcome back to the Postpartum Better podcast. Today's episode is part of the Pregnancy Diary series where we're diving into an update on my own pregnancy journey at 26 weeks pregnant with baby number two. This week, first of all, snaps for making it through. This week, I held down the fort while Colin was out of town over the weekend.

And while I'm so appreciative for the solo challenge before entering the third trimester, I gotta say, three full days with a toddler and a dog at 26 weeks pregnant, it was no joke.

And at least in my approach, it meant that I needed to be a little bit more strategic. Kind of like how, this is like so silly, but kind of like how a runner would prepare differently for a sprint versus a half marathon.

And if you're in this world with me, I'm sure you've heard this saying, but there's tired, there is pregnancy tired, and then there's pregnancy with a toddler tired. And in honor of that and my experience this week, I thought sharing my five simple steps to conserve my energy while pregnant with a toddler may be supportive for others.

So whether you're a frequent flyer in the solo parenting world, honestly, like, bless mama. Truly, like, so I can't even begin to describe the admiration and respect I have for you. Or like me, you are preparing for, you know, your husband's upcoming work travel or just a luxurious weekend golf getaway.

chelsea barbine (02:23.925)
Here are five tips to save your energy while still feeling like you're crushing the mom and wife game. Let's dive in.

chelsea barbine (02:37.181)
Welcome to Postpartum Better, the go-to podcast for expecting a new mom's navigating life after birth. Hi, I'm Chelsea Barbine, wife, mama, yogi, postpartum health coach, and your new mama friend. Together, we're covering topics like postpartum recovery, maintaining your mental and emotional health, finding your identity as a new mom, and rekindling your relationships. Get ready for expert tips

actionable advice and heartfelt conversations with other moms who just get it. The health and happiness of the world resides in us mamas. It's time to postpartum better.

chelsea barbine (03:24.321)
All right, I wanna start by acknowledging and sharing a really like, I wanna say important, but truly like a crucial piece.

in the foundation for managing your energy. Not just during a solo parenting weekend, like what I'm kind of diving into, or really where the inspiration for this episode came from, but honestly, like day to day.

An important piece to managing all of this is your awareness, but even more a step further, like your connection to self. Being in tuned to your own needs and your rhythms. I can't underscore enough.

how much of a difference that makes engaging and managing your energy levels effectively.

especially as your body is working overtime during pregnancy.

chelsea barbine (04:52.045)
So if checking in with yourself isn't something that you're used to or you are feeling inclined to like deepen this connection, please know that I would love to support you. Grab a free download of the Cultivate Check-in at corecarecultivate.com backslash quiz or join us in the Cultivate crew for effective ways to manage stress, to deepen your sense of self in a way that helps you tap into your natural intuition.

and probably like the most beneficial piece for access to daily personalized support that builds your confidence and offers practical solutions for everyday challenges. Enrollment for our next group is now open and upon signing up, you'll get immediate access to bonus postpartum support content to start taking action now. Because let me just say, building or perhaps rebuilding

This connection as we take on this role of mother, it's a process and it's something you do not have to do alone. And as we dive into each of these five tips, remember to give yourself grace. All right, on that note, I share with you my first tip to conserving energy during pregnancy with a toddler, which is rest is your friend and

I know, I know. This is probably the last thing you feel like you have time for, especially when you have a towel they're pulling you in all directions. And again, maybe even a dog who, if your dog is anything like Mac, seems to be vying for even more attention than ever. But listen, rest isn't just about sleeping. It's

It's honestly about creating what my dear friend Janelle Larrido would say, these micro moments for yourself where you can mentally and physically recharge. And if you're like me, you may feel this constant pressure to fill your calendar or even like more micro level, like every hour, every minute with play dates, activities, errands, chores.

chelsea barbine (07:18.551)
But here's the thing, especially, especially, during a time or a season, whether it's a weekend or a few weeks, depending upon your situation of solo parenting, you don't have to do it all. Like, let's take Nat, for example. I, guys, Leo, Enneagram 3, the oldest, I'm a manifesting generator to take it like one step further.

I know it's tempting to use that time to catch up on cleaning, emails, or all the other things we moms feel like we should be doing. Okay? But I invite you to consider during this season of conserving energy, use nap time to rest. Like really rest. If you can, just sit down, relax, close your eyes for just a few minutes, a timer, and just breathe.

Or if you're struggling with napping, you know, some days I myself feel like I can't switch my brain off, especially when calls out of town. Even doing something low energy like reading or practicing meditation, just zoning out for a bit will help. All in all, this is about giving yourself permission to do nothing for just a few minutes. Tip number two, lean into independent play or screen time. Okay, I know that this one...

Even just saying screen time, you guys, I know that this one can be a little controversial. I actually like just watched a TED talk this morning about the importance of engaging with our children during their first five years of life. Like no joke, which is just the irony truly. But hear me out. When you're pregnant and you have a toddler, you're gonna need breaks.

And sometimes that means encouraging your toddler to play independently or read next to you or call me crazy, watch a show for a bit. And as I'm saying this, I'm like, God, even not like, not even when you're pregnant, even this is great practice for when the baby does come, right? We're not like a big screen time family.

chelsea barbine (09:46.337)
Honestly, the most screen time Frankie gets is FaceTiming family and currently looking at her baby pictures. She's obsessed, especially after we watched the weekly updates with the baby. She loves to watch the baby video in the app and then she always asks to see like baby pictures, meaning of herself. And yes, part of that on my phone is because I still haven't printed the baby book. No judgment guys.

I swear I'm doing it. I really should do both of them alongside of each other. I've made it probably seven months into Frankie's. just, I gotta finish it. It's so close. But since becoming pregnant now, the second time, more specifically, I can actually pinpoint it to when it like, the switch really happened. It was the week I got home from LA from a podcasting summit, mid first trimester.

probably the most exhausted I have felt in my entire life. That is when I've learned to embrace, I will say more of screen time, because we have always encouraged Frankie with independent play. But truly, I have learned to embrace screen time in small doses. And for those who may be feeling the guilt in doing that, and I say the guilt in doing that, I've just

not constantly engaging with your child 24 seven, especially if you don't have the flexibility or the schedule where you're doing it in large doses, right? Whether you have other kiddos or you are full time working, whatever your scenario is, please hear me when I say there's no shame.

in putting on a cartoon or setting up an independent play activity, especially when you're feeling low on energy. Because here's the thing.

chelsea barbine (11:54.219)
Our children feed off of our energy. So if you're going into time with your child, low energy, I will say low frequency, more of the quote unquote negative emotions, they feed off of that. And when I'm suggesting this independent player screen time, I'm not talking about like hours by themselves or hours of TV, but like a 15 minute show here and there can make a huge difference.

I also think too, like the types of shows that they are exposed to can help with your level of comfort in doing this. So you can consider a more slow paced show like Franklin, Little Bear, or honestly even Sesame Street. Set them up with a stack of books or something safe and engaging. Think like puzzles, coloring, blocks, like something they can do by themselves or honestly like alongside next to you. Like if they're reading while you're reading, the goal is

that you get to take a breather. And guess what? Your toddler, guys, they're gonna be just fine. And you're gonna be better than fine because you're gonna be recharged enough to jump back in and play with them when you're ready. Next, let's talk about keeping your energy up because pregnancy, it can make you extra hangry. So tip number three is maximize your energy with simple snacks and hydration. It is

so important in general, even outside of pregnancy, to stay on top of your hydration and snacks to keep your blood sugar stable and your energy levels up. My go-to is to carry a big water bottle around with me. Sidebar, I notice when I'm drinking more water, Frankie tends to drink more water, which again, nourishment is a human fundamental requirement. There's a reason why it is the first

pillar of wellness that we focus on in the core care cultivate methodology. Some days I even add electrolytes to my water when I'm feeling a little sluggish. The parallel cellular hydration powder is pregnancy and breastfeeding safe and it's a game changer. and snacks. Keep them on hand at all times. I'm talking easy grab and go stuff like fruit, granola bars, nuts.

chelsea barbine (14:18.477)
They'll help you keep your energy steady and prevent that dreaded afternoon slump. Trust me, when you're pregnant and tired, finding a snack in your cross body, mm, mamas. When I open it up and I see a fruit bar, it is like a mini miracle, truthfully.

All right, tip number four, this one may bring up some feelings for a couple of reasons. Tip number four is to find help. Now listen, I am holding space right now for those of you, and I want to say those of us, who feel like asking for help is admitting that you're struggling.

or that you can't do something and may even...

I'm just going to say it. Perhaps make you question how the hell are you going to do it with two if you can't do it with one? There, I said it. However, while holding space for that, not discrediting it, not saying that you're wrong for feeling that way, I'm going to remind you that even over the course of a weekend, you don't have to do it all. In fact, it's very rare

that anyone actually does. So whether you're asking your partner to pick up some extra time before or after they're away, so you can either pre-overfill your cup or replenish it after, or you line up your favorite takeout restaurant, or like me, you're planning play dates with other moms to rally sport over the weekend, there are ways to lighten your load. We truly don't have to handle everything ourselves.

chelsea barbine (16:16.173)
In fact, I will share just being around others this weekend made the time fly. And I will say, I may have like overbooked us. And when I'm saying overbook, I'm talking like a play date in church in the mornings and a birthday party or a baby shower in the afternoon. Okay. We were moving, but it helped to balance our low key Friday.

especially when Frankie was team no nap. So I share this tip specifically because even though like technically you're solo parenting, right? Because your partner's traveling for whatever reason, it doesn't have to be isolating. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask others to join you. I promise asking for company or help doesn't make you any less of a mom. Okay. It makes you smarter at conserving your energy. Now last

Certainly not least, tip number five, self-care. I know it's hard to prioritize yourself, especially when you're running around after a toddler, growing a baby, keeping up with the dog walks throughout the day, and all the chores happening inside the house and all of the relationships and responsibilities floating around outside. But finding a few minutes each day for some self-care can recharge your battery. It doesn't have to be fancy.

Right? Like treat yourself to a warm bath, paint your nails. my gosh, I did that while watching like truly binge watching a new Netflix series that was released and like, my God, I felt so bad that it was so good. Do some gentle stretching or even color while laying in your bed for five minutes before dozing off. I'm telling you, you will be amazed at how much better you feel when you carve out

those few moments for yourself, even in the smallest of doses. And again, if you're like me, practicing and having this time at the start of your day and then to close out your days, it helps you feel more grounded into like a state of presence with your little ones and patience, right, before they even wake up.

chelsea barbine (18:42.113)
but it also may help you fall asleep, even if sleeping without your partner at home is a struggle. So there you have it, five simple ways to conserve your energy while pregnant and solo parenting a toddler. Prioritize rest, lean into independent play or screen time when you need a break, stay hydrated and snack regularly, invite company along for the journey, and never forget to prioritize yourself. It's all about balance.

And remember, you don't have to do everything perfectly. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your toddler. If checking in with yourself isn't something you're used to or you'd like to deepen this connection, I'd love to support you. Grab a free download of the Cultivate check-in at corecarecultivate.com backslash quiz, or join us in the Cultivate crew for effective ways to manage stress, a deeper sense of self that helps you tap into your natural intuition,

and to get daily access to personalized support that builds your confidence and offers practical solutions for everyday challenges. Enrollment for our next group is now open at gorecarecultivate.com backslash the dash cultivate dash crew. I'm excited to see and support you there.

chelsea barbine (20:03.757)
Thank you for joining me for this episode of Postpartum Better. If you're inspired by this conversation to help yourself or another mom navigate life after birth, take a minute to leave me a review on Apple Podcast and then share this episode with someone who could use the virtual hug. The health and happiness of the world resides in us mamas, and I'm so proud to be doing Postpartum Better with you. Until next week, with care, Chelsea.