Managing Your MS With a Newborn: 10 Tips to Make It Through Those Early Days (and Sleepless Nights)

You’re a new parent, and wondering how to best raise an infant and manage MS symptoms at the same time. Fortunately, with planning and care, you can thrive in both roles. These suggestions can guide you.

Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, it’s important to choose feeding positions that reduce your risk of overheating or muscle fatigue. Doctors recommend holding a baby upright for 10-15 minutes after they eat. If possible, have your partner or other caregiver take that task. You can also ask your doctor for a referral to a lactation consultant. These breastfeeding specialists help you learn the best positions for you and your baby’s needs.

The saying “sleep when the baby sleeps” really helps with rest and recuperation, but it requires support doing other things around the house. Have others step in so your priority can be recovering from nighttime wake-ups. Even a single one-hour nap can improve thinking, mood, and stress. 

Think ahead: Get all your supplies ready and put them close to you before you begin your baby’s bath. Use a stool or chair to sit while you bathe your baby instead of standing, kneeling, or crouching. In some cases, it may be best for a partner or support person to handle lifting your baby in and out of the tub. That way you can prioritize your baby’s safety and help minimize fatigue while still enjoying bath time memories.

Keep your baby close with a rolling bassinet if possible, so you reduce the number of trips you have to take to get to them. Use a stroller in the house if necessary, and be sure it’s sturdy and lightweight. Always engage your leg muscles in a squat position when lifting your baby instead of bending your hips. Ask your doctor about assistive devices such as rotating car seats and hip seat baby carriers to help you feel as secure as possible as you tote your baby around.

Exercise is likely at the bottom of your priority list during this period, but think of it as a critical part of your recovery and boost to your ability to care for your baby. You don’t have to set aside a specific workout time. Instead, work movement into your daily routine. Take a walk with your baby in the stroller, spend a few minutes before or after a nap lifting some light weights, or do some leg strength repetitions next to the changing table at each diaper change. Talk to your doctor before you do any type of exercise.

It’s common to need a reminder to focus on you after you’ve had a baby. Make a point to do things that bring you joy, whether that’s having a friend over for coffee, being creative, or just taking a relaxing bath. Try to get at least 10 minutes a day just for you, and work up to more. Tending to your own soul helps you care better for your baby.

Start prepping with supplies, meals, and other household necessities before your baby comes. Make dinners during the prepartum period and freeze them so you have one less task during the newborn phase. Have a surplus of anything shelf stable (wipes, diapers, snacks, detergent) so you can dip into your stash instead of going to the store. 

If you have a spouse or partner, lean on them as much as possible during the first several weeks. Focus on rest. When friends and family offer to help, name specific tasks they can do to lighten your load.

People with MS have higher rates of depression in general, and this depression can go on for longer during the postpartum period than in people without MS, too. Know the signs of postpartum depression: Tell your partner, friends, or doctor if you notice you’re having trouble sleeping, intrusive thoughts, are feeling withdrawn, crying a lot, or have constant fears about your baby or parenting. 

You’re raising a newborn, and you’re doing it while living with MS. If ever there was a time to slow down your life and focus on the present moment as much as possible, it’s now. Even a few minutes of intentional mindfulness a day or a positive mantra you repeat to yourself can help you better stay in touch with your inner calm, lower stress, and build your resilience as you navigate a new life with a newborn.