Congratulations on your new family member! As a new mom, you’re probably more concerned about your child’s health than your own. However, neglecting yourself will lead to exhaustion, burnout and less favorable outcomes for both you and your baby.
As a parent, you need to fill your pitcher before you can pour from it. New moms, in particular, need additional TLC. Your body is still recovering from the rigors of labor and birth, plus nine months of carrying what might have sometimes felt like a bowling ball in your belly. Follow these tips to ease your way into your newfound parenthood.
1. Embrace Modern Conveniences
In the old days, many new moms slept with their infants in their bedrooms so that they could hear them if they awoke in the night. Today, smart home devices, including monitors, make it possible for you to keep an eye on your baby from another room. You can even find smart socks that monitor your child’s vital signs while they rest.
2. Get Adequate Sleep
You might have to get creative to get adequate sleep once you give birth. Discuss your sleep needs with your partner and turn down any volunteer activities or extra work duties for the time being. Learn to embrace napping, too. While you might not get a full night’s sleep for a few weeks or months, you can catch additional Zzzs when your infant does.
3. Rally Your Support Network
Hopefully, you have a lively support network of family and friends who couldn’t wait to welcome your bundle of joy. However, if you feel like your tribe is a bit on the thin side, you can find multiple support groups online, such as on Meetup, for people in the same boat. Having someone to listen can ease stress considerably. When people make offers to help, take them up on their kindness — now is not the time to run yourself ragged.
4. Keep Yourself Hydrated
Did you know that, during lactation, your bones break down more calcium to add to your milk supply? However, this could lead to problems with your teeth. One of the best things you can do to protect your oral health is to hydrate yourself with dental-friendly beverages. You can’t go wrong with water, but if you find the flavor lacking, try adding some pieces of fruit.
5. Prep Healthy Meals
As a mom, it’s critical to eat healthy, particularly if you breastfeed. However, you may lack time to cook a family meal every night. Before your due date, prep healthy grab-and-go meals you can freeze for hectic days and nights.
6. Exercise Each Day
If you breastfeed, you may notice that you shed the baby weight like a mad fiend, but that doesn’t excuse you from gym class. Exercise helps ease stress and increase energy levels — both of which you’ll need to be a better parent. Plus, research indicates that people who work out regularly typically enjoy longer lifespans than those who are sedentary. You want to be around to watch your baby walk down the aisle, so take time to move your body.
7. Gather Pain Relief Supplies
Giving birth takes a toll on your body. If you gave birth vaginally, it’s wise to have a sitz bath on hand to make cleaning yourself after more comfortable. Talk to your doctor about what over-the-counter or prescription pain medications you may take safely if you’re breastfeeding.
8. Practice Self-Care
You might think, “Are you crazy?” If you have a new child, and you have to return to work as many in the U.S. do, you may prioritize self-care last. However, paying attention to yourself matters now more than ever. Recruit your partner or parents to watch over baby while you enjoy a relaxing bubble bath or lose yourself in a novel for 30 minutes. After, you’ll return ready to be supermom once again.
9. Go Easy on the Champagne
It’s been a long, dry nine months, and you want to celebrate your new family member. That’s all well and good, but alcohol can pass to your baby through your breast milk. If you opt to imbibe in a celebratory cocktail, time it carefully by waiting until after you feed your infant. It takes two to three hours for your body to metabolize one drink sufficiently to clear it from your milk supply.
Healthier Mom, Happier Baby — Tips for New Parents
As a healthy mom, you’re able to give your best to your new infant. Fuel yourself with the energy you need to raise your baby with these tips.
Thank you for the tips. Rallying support group helps.