8 Self-Care Tips for New Moms

8 Self-Care Tips for New Moms

Guest Article by Jenny Wise

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!
 
The journey ahead is full of heartwarming moments, but there will also be some challenges too. One of them is that taking care of your child will take a lot of your energy and time and it may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Self-care helps you to put your mind, body, and spirit at an excellent state to take care of your baby.
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Here are eight ways you can incorporate self-care into your life

1.         Seek and accept help
If you need help getting to the hospital for your checkup or the baby’s check up, ask your spouse, family member or friend to accompany you. Whether your loved ones are offering a good meal, to do some house chores or to babysit, accept their offer guilt-free. Hiring help is another option, especially if you’re too busy to clean. According to ImproveNet, the average cost for maid services ranges from $122 to $167.
 
2.         Get out of the house
Staying in the house all day long can be isolating and depressing even when you are doing a noble job of taking care of your baby. Make a deliberate effort to leave the house occasionally.
 
You could hold your baby in a newborn baby carrier and walk around your neighborhood. Ask a family member or spouse to babysit as you go grocery shopping or to the salon. Get a babysitter and go for a date with your spouse. Join a community of fellow new moms in your local area and attend their meetups.
 
3.         Nourish your body
It is essential that you eat well and stay hydrated. Your baby is counting on your breast milk for all the vital nutrients. Furthermore, your body needs adequate fueling to keep up with taking care of the baby and to accomplish your daily tasks.
 
4.         Rest
Sleep deprivation is one of the most common challenges for new moms.  When awake the baby takes all your time, and during the naps, you want to catch up with the house chores. Before you know it, you are feeling burned-out.  A good strategy to catch some sleep is to sleep when the baby sleeps. Even when you are not feeling sleepy lie down for some time to rest your body.
 
5.         Honor the person you are beyond being a mother
Being a mom is indeed a big part of your identity, but it is not all you are. Take time to engage in your interests and hobbies. While you may not have time during the first few months to be on the move pursuing a career or passion, you can use that time to read a book or take an online course on something that interests you.
 
6.         Keep up with your exercise
Take advantage of nice weather by taking in a brisk walk with baby in stroller or get in short sets of exercises, dance movement while baby is awake but content in a swing or baby seat. Set up a home gym to enable you to exercise conveniently when the baby is napping. Exercise is important for keeping your energy levels optimal, shedding off the baby weight, boosting your mood, and releasing stress and tension.
 
7.         Be kind to yourself
Inevitably, there are days you will feel mom guilt. You may have set expectation during your pregnancy that you feel you are failing to accomplish. Give yourself a break. You are doing the best that you can, and that is all that counts.
 
8.         Pamper yourself
Schedule some time to soak up in the tub with essential oils and Epsom salt, polish your nails, get a massage or a facial. When you have a chance to go out with your spouse or some friends, ditch the yoga pants and pajamas for something sexy.
 
As the adage goes, you can only give what you have. If you are irritable, you are likely to pass it on to your child. Therefore, taking time to take care of yourself is crucial for ensuring you are at a good place energetically to take care of your child.

Jenny Wise is a stay at home mom with 4 beautiful children. 
jwise@specialhomeeducator.com

specialhomeeducator.com

 
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