When you’re a new mom, it can be hard to find the time and energy to take care of yourself when you’re focusing on your new baby’s physical and emotional needs. It can sometimes be a difficult concept for new moms to understand, but during this time it’s important for you to still do things for you and to take care of yourself. If you’re healthy in mind body and spirit it means that you can be there for your baby.
We’ve come up with some great suggestions of ways you can take time for you and practice some self-care:
Get out of the house
Don’t pressure yourself to be a social butterfly but getting out and spending time with friends and family, or going for a walk (even if it’s just a trip through the drive through Starbucks) is good for the soul and will help you feel like yourself again.
Make a play date
Play dates are a great way to connect with other moms with little ones around your baby’s age. While chatting over coffee, you can help each other through those new mom hurdles. Your baby gets a chance to socialize and you get the chance to have a real conversation with another adult.
Get some sleep
A lot of people say to sleep when the baby sleeps, which is great advice for some people, but for others it can be hard to take cat naps throughout the day. Instead, I choose to go to bed early, go back to sleep after feedings and sleep late. Be intentional and schedule your sleep in a way that works for you. If you don’t, you may never sleep and everything will feel so much harder.
Join a group
Find other moms in your area through meet ups, or local baby stores. A community of moms can lighten the load of motherhood and it helps to connect with other moms who are going through the same changes and season of life. There are even some great online groups that you can take advantage of.
Buy postpartum clothes
Everyone talks about maternity clothes, no one talks about postpartum clothes. The postpartum body is much harder to dress than the pregnant body. This can help during those awkward weeks with an ever-changing, oddly shaped body, if you’re having a baby in the winter consider super stretchy leggings and long comfy, cozy sweaters.
Schedule a hair appointment
Schedule it for a month or two after the baby is born, once you’re able to leave them for a few hours. It might be difficult to time the feedings and get out the door, in which case I recommend having your partner and baby drop you off at the salon and while you are having your hair cut they can wait at a nearby coffee shop or go for a walk, once you’re done at the salon they can meet you and you can feed baby. You deserve a little pampering, it will be good for you and good for baby.
Get a massage
There is nothing more relaxing than getting a massage (Anna Belanger and Associates is our go to). Relaxing in the soft warm sheets and letting your mind drift while you list to the soft music. What could be better for a new mom than taking time for herself to relax and get a massage and coming back feeling renewed and reenergized.
Let people bring you food
Have a friend or family member set up meal delivery calendar, or if people want to come visit, tell them they’re more than welcome to as long as they feed you.
Treat yourself
Find little ways to treat yourself throughout the week (a magazine or a specialty coffee from your favourite shop). After a long day of nursing, burping, changing and comforting your little one, you’ll benefit from finding little ways to treat yourself. You will find yourself looking forward to your afternoon walk or drive through Starbucks with a sleeping baby in the back seat.
Establish a routine
A routine or a schedule can be super helpful in maintaining sanity as a new mom. Find a routine that works for you and your family and stick with it. Everyone will benefit and eventually you will be able to take time for yourself because you’ll know baby’s schedule.
Take a yoga class and get some exercise
Not right away, but after you receive the go-ahead from your doctor or midwife find ways to incorporate exercise into your weekly routine. Don’t worry about exercising to get back in shape, but exercise for your mood. The benefits are real and proven. Get out for walks, take a yoga class with Little Lotus Yoga, join a mommy & me fitness class, or take an hour for yourself to hit the gym…whatever you like to do, take the time to do it.
With all those ideas to choose from, here are a few tips to help you make time for you, even with a new baby under your roof.
Try self-care in intervals
For instance, take 15 minutes for yourself, twice a day, don’t do the laundry, make dinner or read your emails. Instead, take that time to close your eyes and breathe, read a magazine or take a shower.
Ask for help (even though it may not be perfect….)
Sometimes self-care means accepting imperfect help from someone you trust, who might feed them junk food, or let them watch too much TV, or simply do things differently than you do.
Just say yes
Just like it’s good to say “no” to things that don’t serve you, it’s also good to say “yes” to requests that can provide a positive distraction from the daily grind of parenting, This can creating a distraction that lets you connect with other people. Plus, it can help you reconnect with the other parts of yourself.
Ignore the haters
Some people might disapprove of you taking time out for yourself. Remember that others’ objections are more about the underlying issues they have with themselves rather than your actions. Instead tune into your own feelings. Does what you’re doing feel good to you? Do you feel recharged afterwards? The next time you feel guilty or selfish for practicing self-care, remind yourself that you matter too, and denying your own needs does not help anyone in the long run.
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