5 Self Care Tips To Practice As A New Mom

We’ve all heard or read about the saying that a happy mother means a happy baby, yet most new mothers or mothers in general often tend to forget that. They always put their children and family first. Very few make the time to take care of themselves while they get busy taking care of their newborns.

What we need to remember is that our children don’t need a perfect mother but what they do need is a happy mother. So all the ladies out there who are experiencing motherhood for the first time, it’s ok to take time out for yourself for some self-love and care.

Here’s why self-care is so important and how you can do it.

What Does Self Care Mean?

So you thought self-care was all about spa treatments, luxurious massages, a day at the salon doing manicures and pedicures? Wrong!

While those are the first things that come to our mind when we say self-care, it’s a misconception. Self-care is much more than that; it’s about taking care of your emotional, mental, social, and physical needs. It’s about setting time aside to take care of yourself as a whole.

What Is The Importance Of Self-Care?

You may wonder “Isn’t my baby more important than me?” Yes, your baby is more important and that’s the very reason why you need to take care of yourself first. You are the caregiver and a caregiver needs to be healthy to nurture the baby correctly. So if you feel you are being selfish by taking care of your own needs, stop feeling that way.

How Does Self Care Help?

While the benefits of self-care are many. Here are a few reasons how self-care helps

1. Self-care gives you a sense of self-worth.

2. It sets a good example for children when they see mothers taking care of themselves, eating well, sleeping well, and doing things they enjoy doing.

3. Eating well and eating nutritious foods helps you nurse your child better.

4. Being physically fit helps you build stamina that is needed in raising active toddlers

5. Taking care of newborn babies and toddlers without taking care of yourself often leads to burnout and that can make you anxious and depressed. That, in turn, affects children and can result in behavior problems in children.

What Are Some Of The Best Self Care Tips?

1. Eat Nutritious Foods

Good nutrition is important for postpartum and breastfeeding

We all need to eat enough nutritious food every day. But it’s even more important for a new mother to take care of their nutrition and eat a balanced diet. A diet that includes all the vitamins, calcium, proteins, fats, and iron that the body needs. Good nutrition is important for postpartum and breastfeeding.

2. Get Enough Sleep

You may think we are joking because as new moms getting enough sleep seems next to impossible. We understand your baby keeps you awake through the night, but there are ways to get the sleep you need!

• Sleep for a while when your baby is sleeping during the day. Keep the phone away and ignore the chores that you may be tempted to get done with while the baby is asleep. Chores can wait!

• Ask your SO, family members, or friends to help you burp the baby, change diapers, etc. once you are done breastfeeding, while you catch up on your sleep a little earlier in the night so that you get enough sleep before your baby wakes you up late at night.

• Make the most of the time when friends, family, and relatives drop by to meet the new baby, ask them if they can watch the baby while you catch up on some sleep.

• Sometimes it’s ok to let the baby cry themselves to sleep, it’s called self-soothing. Unless it’s time to feed the baby and he or she is hungry or unwell.

• Your partner and you can work out a schedule and split the ‘staying awake at night with baby’ duties.

3. Exercise

Image Credit: Kareena Kapoor Instagram

You don’t have to hit the gym for your daily exercise. It can be done at home, all you need to do is keep aside at least 30 minutes for exercise. It could be anything from a relaxing yoga session, a brisk walk, dancing to your favorite song, or an online Zumba class. The important thing is to stay physically active.

You may say taking care of a newborn baby or toddler is exercise enough. That’s not true, physical exercise helps you stay happy while also helping you live healthily. Exercise releases the ‘happy hormones’ called endorphins.

4. Do Things You Love

Image Credit: Anushka Sharma Instagram

While eating healthy food, getting a good rest, and exercising are all very important, it’s equally important to make time to do things you love doing.

Sometimes babies are happy playing on their own and don’t cry for your attention. That’s the best time to do things you love! Play your favorite music, read a few pages of a book, dance, paint, craft, knit. Do whatever makes your heart happy. This relieves all the stress that comes with being a new mom.

5. Meet Friends And Socialize

Image Credit: Shilpa Shetty Instagram

Becoming a mom doesn’t mean that your old life has ended. The fun life you had socializing with friends before the baby, can still be enjoyed. A lot of new moms may feel guilty or selfish for going out with friends and having some fun. There is nothing selfish about hanging out with friends once in a while and socializing. Let your partner take over for one night while you go out for a fun girls’ night out!

It is a proven fact that when you take care of your own physical and mental health, it positively impacts your baby’s wellbeing.

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