Postpartum Self Care Tips Every New Mom Should Know!
When you become a mother your whole life changes, in many ways, your entire world is turned upside down. Everything is different; you are no longer the most important person in your life, your child is - and that’s how it should be.
That being said, just because your new addition is now the center of your world, that doesn’t mean that you should start skipping self-care and letting your wellness suffer. Yes, life as a parent is busy, but that’s no excuse for not looking after yourself as you should do. Think of it this way, if you aren’t in the best place possible, then you can’t be the best mommy possible, which is why self-care becomes even more important when you become a momma.
The fact is that self-care and wellness are closely linked, which is why looking after yourself throughout your life, including after having a baby, is so important. A lot of people notice that when they don’t make self-care a priority it impacts various areas of their lives, from their health and mood to their relationships and self-esteem. That's why taking proper care of yourself is so important as a lack of self-care can impact your life in many ways, especially when you are a new mom.
With that in mind, below are some self-care tips to help you to look after yourself when you’ve just had a baby and life is hectic.
Treat yourself
There’s a lot of talk about treating yourself to new clothes during your pregnancy and to going and getting your nails done, etc. but what about after you’ve given birth? The fact is that with a new baby you will have very limited free time if any, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t treat yourself, now does it? Believe it or not, when it comes to being a new mom, it is important to put yourself first at times, to ensure that you are looking after yourself. The fact is that being stuck at home with a new baby can take its toll on you and can impact your mental health and happiness. This is especially true if you feel like you’re a mess - something that’s perfectly normal for new moms to feel.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way, treat yourself to some new postpartum clothes, a new hairdo, some new makeup, etc. and you will feel much happier in yourself - that’s a promise. A lot of new moms put off treating themselves to new clothes or a new hairdo because of money, but don’t let a lack of funds stop you, instead get online and look for all the best deals and discounts. Take Coupon Sherpa, for instance; they offer a range of deals and discounts that will allow you to treat yourself to all sorts, from clothes to new beauty products, without breaking the bank. To see what deals are on offer now, visit their website and have a browse. Money might be tight, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself - you will feel better in yourself if you make an effort when it comes to your appearance.
Schedule your sleep
The general advice for new moms when it comes to sleep is to sleep when the baby sleeps, which is all well and good but what happens if you struggle to nap during the day? If you are someone who can sleep during the day, then sleeping while your little one sleeps is good advice. If this isn’t the case though and you aren’t a daytime napper, then you will need to find another way to ensure that you are getting all the sleep that you need.
The worst thing about being a new parent is the lack of sleep that comes with a new baby, which can leave you feeling like a zombie - which is not ideal when you have a mini human to care for. Studies show that new moms that don’t get enough sleep are more prone to postnatal depression as well as mood swings, which makes getting plenty of sleep in, even more important. The best thing to do is establish a new sleep schedule which allows you to get all of the rest that you need. Aim to go to bed as early as possible, so despite night feeds, you can get as much sleep as you need. You could even go back to bed after the early morning feed. Remember, the more sleep that you get, the better in yourself you will feel.
Make time to socialize
The fact is that those first few months of motherhood can be extremely lonely, which is why making time to socialize is so important. Whether that means inviting your friends over to your house for a cup of tea and a catch-up or it means joining a mom and baby group it doesn’t matter, all that matters is that you are making time to see your friends. Joining a mom and baby group allows you to connect with other moms who are going through the same thing as you are, and are able to support you through it.
A lot of new moms prefer to spend their time indoors and avoid going out because it requires so much effort. Don’t make this mistake, force yourself to get out and about. It might take a lot of effort, but it really is worth it, because you will feel better for it. Don’t pressure yourself to get out and about every day, but make an effort to go out at least two to three times a week. Even if it’s just going to Starbucks for a coffee or going for a quick stroll around the park, it’s just important to get out and about.
Eat well
When you’re a new mom, often it’s tempting to live off of ready meals and takeaway, but don’t make this mistake. The chances are that you are already battling to lose the baby weight, and eating junk food isn’t going to help with this or with your general wellness. Studies show that new moms that eat well tend to not only feel better in themselves but also recover from giving birth more quickly.
It can be hard making time to eat well when you’ve just had a baby, but it’s worth it, even if it’s just having a simple salad or a jacket potato and tinned tuna. Have a look online at simple meals that are healthy, so that you can ensure that you are able to eat well. Investing in a slow cooker can also be a good idea as they making cooking healthy, wholesome meals so much easier - all you need to do is chuck the ingredients into the pot in the morning, and by teatime, you will have a healthy meal ready for you. From soups and stews to curries and pasta dishes, slow cookers are incredibly useful for making healthy meals.
Make time for exercise
A lot of new mommas feel as if they have no time for exercise - life's pretty hectic when you have a newborn. However, studies have shown that exercise is the key to looking and feeling good, and can also help to give your mental health a boost. You will sleep better, feel less stressed, and be happier in yourself if you make time for exercise, you may even feel more energized.
When it comes to making time for exercise, it might seem like it’s almost impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. Perhaps you could leave your little one with your partner or a grandparent while you pop out and go for a run, head to the gym, or attend an exercise class? Don’t want to leave your little one at home while your exercise? How about exercising with them? Join a mom and baby running group, attend mom and baby yoga, or exercise at home with an exercise DVD. It doesn’t matter how you exercise, just as long as you find time to be active on a regular basis.
Get out of your pajamas
The chances are that for the first few days of motherhood, you won’t want to get out of your pajamas. However, it’s a good idea that after the first few days of bringing your new addition home that you get dressed every morning, even if you will just be lounging around the house. Honestly, you will feel much better for it - more put together and prepared to face whatever the day throws at you.
It’s a small thing but getting dressed - even if it’s just in leggings and a jumper, will help you to feel more put together. Make time to brush your hair and put it up, wash your face and clean your teeth. These are all such small things, but they can have a big impact on your mental health and wellness.
There you have it, a guide to the postpartum self-care tips every new mom should know. Take note of the advice above, and you can make motherhood a much more enjoyable experience.
