Why I’m going to try to unplug completely when having my baby

A few weeks ago, one of my friends had her first baby and, aside from a text, she went radio silent on social media. This is a girl who posts numerous times a day and her Facebook page was a ghost town. It inspired me. And it made me wonder: Would it be possible for me to unplug completely during my own upcoming hospital stay?

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This is my fourth child, and I pretty much know the ropes when it comes to having a baby. My husband and I are actually EXCITED for the quiet time at the hospital after our son is born. Once we get home, it gets REAL with three kids and a baby. Unplugging and hiding away from the world for two days sounds fantastic.

Here’s the thing: Like most people, I have a little bit of a social media addiction. Being a blogger, it’s hard to disconnect for even a few hours — it’s considered part of my job! I’ve been on Facebook for almost 13 years now and I’ve grown up there, from my crazy college days to life with kids. Every day I share my world on SnapChat: the good, the bad, and the crazy. Could I really put my phone down? For days?

The last time I had a baby, I didn’t own a smart phone so the situation was different. We sent out a group text, my husband updated our Facebook statuses on my laptop (the birth was a bit chaotic), and then we didn’t have to worry about unplugging. Six years later, things are quite different.

Have you heard of The Golden Hour? This is the hour after your baby is born. If you look online for videos, get tissues ready before you watch. These videos highlight the importance of skin-to-skin bonding and how a baby’s natural nursing instinct kicks during that first hour. Obviously, not all situations allow for this special time, but I’m hoping I can make it happen.

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I can’t help but think about how much essential bonding can happen while at the hospital with my focus entirely on our little guy.  We’ve waited 9 months for this bundle of joy; it would be amazing to get to know him without the other kids around.

Aside from unplugging, we’re also discussing visitors. When your body is going through SO MUCH after having a baby — first-time moms, get ready! — having visitors is rough. You want to be able to nurse freely and sleep when you want, without people coming in and out with their germs. Obviously, I’m not going to kick out my family if they stop by, but keeping visiting time limited is so refreshing. People will have plenty of time to visit (and bring food!) when you’re home.