If you’re just starting out as a mom, it’s easy to feel like you need to cram everything you ever knew about being a grown-up into one day. It can be overwhelming at times, but it’s important to remember that this is a journey.
It’s ok if you forget what being an adult looks like because motherhood will teach you so much more than anything you learned in school! How do we know? We are mothers! That said, here are 11 ways to care for yourself as a new mom.
- Rest up and get enough sleep – Your baby needs you to sleep! Just the same, your body needs sleep as well. It’s important for you to make sure you get enough rest so that you are well-rested and mentally prepared before you take on new responsibilities. You’ll be amazed at how much better your family will function when everyone in the family is rested and feeling their best!
- Take time to enjoy your baby – Bouncing, dancing and singing with your infant child may look like pure joy, but it’s also an opportunity for you to bond with your child. Try to focus on just spending time being a mom instead of trying to do every household chore.
- Strive for a balance – No matter how much you love being a new mom, it’s important to remember that you need time away from your baby. You may find yourself feeling guilty about taking a break, but don’t worry; your baby will sleep when she’s tired and will be happier too! There’s nothing wrong with taking some time away from your infant for a quiet walk in the park or even for lunch with a friend or colleague.
- Find a happy balance – You’re going to have to learn how to deal with some of the frustrations that come with parenting. Babies get hungry and cranky without warning, so you might look forward to naptime and bedtime more than other times. Don’t feel guilty about not always being around when your baby needs you! Aim for a happy balance of time when you can be alone with your baby as well as when you can take a break from having her around!
- Try some positive self-talk – What can seem like overwhelming tasks can often be accomplished if you don’t add any negative thoughts into the mix. It’s important to view every challenge with a positive attitude.
- Learn how to say no – You may find yourself struggling to turn down requests when you’re a new mom, but it’s important to get in the habit of at least saying ‘no’ sometimes. It’s more productive for you and for others if you learn how to say ‘no’ without feeling guilty!
- Try out some prenatal exercises – Prenatal yoga or Pilates classes can help you improve your flexibility and strength while also helping with weight loss, especially useful if you’ve gained any extra pounds during pregnancy!
- Take a break from the housework – It can be hard to take a break from your new role as a mom but it’s important to remember that you deserve some time away from the housework too!
- Take care of yourself – You may feel like you’re neglecting yourself or putting yourself last at times, but you’re only setting yourself up to fail if you don’t take care of your mental health as well as your physical health.
- Plan some fun activities – Planning fun activities for both you and your baby can be both therapeutic and encourage bonding between the two of you!
- Surround yourself with positive people – You’re going to need some great people in your life to help you through the challenges of parenting, so don’t hesitate to reach out for some support in order to get through a tough time!
At the end of the day, you and your baby will be fine! Don’t let anything take you down; trust us, it’s all part of the experience. As long as you know how much you care about yourself and your baby in spite of everything that may be happening in your life, everything will be just fine!
