New Mothers: Five Tips to Look After Yourself and Your New Baby

Congratulations new mums! You are embarking on the most wonderful journey of life.

But whether your baby is one week or five months – chances are you are a little pushed finding time for yourself.

Try not to let it get to you.

Your baby will not notice if you are having a bad hair day, if the vacuum cleaner has not found its own way around the house or if you are worried about returning to your pre-pregnancy shape.

However your baby probably will notice if you are upset or feeling stressed, particularly if you are breastfeeding.

Having a baby is the best reason in the world for letting go of day-to-day stresses and anxieties.

5 tips to help you and your baby survive never-ending feedings, nappy changes and short bursts of sleep.

1. Take time to look at your baby. Eye-to-eye contact benefits bubs and mums. Young babies love looking at faces – particularly those of mum and dad – and numerous studies have reported the positive side effects of eye-to-eye contact for mums. Taking a few quiet minutes to look at your baby can release happy hormones that can greatly influence the bond between mother and child and can even help along the let-down process in breastfeeding.
2.  Get out of the house. A breath of fresh air will do you and your baby the world of good. It does not have to be first thing in the morning, but a short stroll pushing the buggy around the neighbourhood anytime during the day will do wonders for your peace of mind. The excursion could also help your baby’s quality of sleep at night. Just remember to make sure that your baby is shaded from the sun.
3. Graciously accept visitors. A new mum is probably going to feel housebound some days. It is inevitable with the ongoing cycle of feedings, nappy changes and naps. Try not to let it become a source of frustration, instead invite friends to visit. A cuppa, a biscuit and a good old-fashioned chat will leave you feeling refreshed and part of society.
4.  Nap often. Your own mum has probably told you to sleep when your baby does. It is valuable advice. It might be a few months (or even longer) until your baby allows you to sleep for more than six hours at a stretch so fit in as many naps as you can during the day. Try not to use the baby’s nap periods for chores like washing and cleaning. Concentrate on recharging your batteries so that you can take good care of your little one and reconnect with your partner in the evening.
5. Treat yourself. Whether it is coffee and cake at the local cafe, a magazine or the latest cd – do not hold back. A little splurge on something for you now and then – instead of the baby – will help you feel like your pre-pregnancy self. Anything that makes your feel that good must be considered a good investment for your whole family!

New mums the world over know how difficult it can be to find time to devote to their own health and well-being when caring for a newborn. Just also know that a happy family revolves around a happy mum. It is not always easy but sometimes spending a little energy on your own peace of mind will help everything else fall into place.