Looking after yourself is something that should be hardcoded into your head, and yet for a lot of people it isn’t. The thing that you need to remember is that you are important enough to warrant taking care of, even when you think that you are not. The time where you need to remember this the most is when you become a mom. We know that it’s tough, and we know that having another life depending on you can be entirely daunting, but you still need to make time for you too. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you need to do to ensure that you are looking after yourself, and your baby. Keep reading if you would like to find out more.
Eat Well
The first thing on this list is that you should be eating well. Some people don’t seem to understand that what you put into your body matters. The things that you are eating and drinking are important to how you feel about yourself overall. For example, if you make sure that you are getting all of the vitamins and nutrients that you need, you’re going to feel so much better, you’re going to have energy, and all around you’re going to feel more like yourself.
However, if you are just constantly packing your body with junk like processed fats and sugars, then this is not going to be the case. You are more likely to feel sluggish, slow, without much energy and constantly tired. To be the best mom that you can be, you’ve got to show up and be present, so eating well can help with this.
Try To Sleep
We know that this one is tough, especially if your little one is still new and adapting to the world, but you have got to sleep. Sleep is essential to the body and the mind functioning properly, and without it you’re just going to struggle all of the time. It might sound a little cliche, but the best thing that you can do is to sleep when the baby sleeps. The laundry can wait, the dishes can wait, and pretty much everything else can wait as nothing is more important than you getting the right amount of sleep.
If you think that it will help, you can try things like drinking some warm milk, cutting coffee out of your life, and so many more things.
Mentally Well
As well as just being physically well, you have to make sure that you are taking care of your mental health soon. Having a kid can be extremely traumatic to the mind, and if this has happened to you then you need to seek out help. It’s okay to need help sometimes, even though the social narrative tells mothers that they are supposed to be able to do it all on their own. This isn’t true in the slightest, and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise does not belong in your life.
It might be worth reaching out to some professionals if you find yourself really struggling. For example, you can look into a counselling & psychotherapy centre if you think that potentially this will yield some positive results for you. You’ve got to be mentally well to take care of your child to the best of your ability, so if you won’t do it for you, do it for them.
Keep Yourself Active
Last but not least, you have got to keep yourself active. We completely understand that this is not your top priority when you have just had a kid, but it needs to start being one sooner rather than later. You should be walking around as much as you can if you don’t feel like doing a workout, and finding other ways to get your movement in. For example, bouncing your baby around actually counts as you burn quite a lot of calories doing this.
If you’re struggling for ideas on how to fit exercise into your life now, you can consult specialists to help. There are a group of people who specialize in exercise for new mothers, so it might be worth checking some of them out.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you need to do to look after yourself. At the end of the day, it’s important that you are looking after yourself before you can look after your baby, and there’s no getting around this. You’ve got to be in the best possible condition to be able to be the best mom that you can be, so you’ve got to stop just putting off making those health changes. We wish you the very best of luck!
Julie Maloney
January 31, 2023This is so very important, thank you for addressing it. I think it’ll help women transitioning into motherhood. Maybe deal with the postpartum aspect of it easier. This is a great post!
Tweenselmom
January 31, 2023this is so true. be sure you’re in a well state first and prioritize yourself 🙂
Alita
January 31, 2023Having kids is never easy. We gotta prepare ourselves physically and mentally.
Stephanie
January 31, 2023I learned this the hard way with my first child. Once my husband went back to work, I was waiting until the last minute to wake up in the morning to get those few extra minutes. But I found I would not feel myself since I didn’t get time to get breakfast and sneak in a shower before he left and the baby was in my hands the rest of the day. Having time to take care of yourself is so important!
Ntensibe Edgar
January 31, 2023Yyyeeesssss! I do not need to add any word unto your elaboration here. It’s all in there….especially, trying to sleep!
Debbie
January 31, 2023Great tips for new moms. I’ll send this to my friend who is trying for a little one right now! Thank you for the great ideas!
Luna S
January 31, 2023I completely agree! It is so important to help keep your own physical and mental health in check when caring for your family, great post.
Olga
January 31, 2023I completely agree with you. I have two young kids, and I’m almost done. I don’t feel happy, plus I lost my life interest. I hope the upcoming spring will give me some energy.
Melanie E
January 31, 2023By looking after ourselves it means we are in better condition to look after our children. Eating well is important.
Nyxie
January 31, 2023I’m not a mum but I have to agree wholeheartedly! You can’t pour from an empty cup, and that includes as a mother! Especially a new mother!
Julie
January 31, 2023This is a great article and an important reminder for mothers to prioritize taking care of themselves! Making time for self-care is necessary for moms to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. It’s often a challenge to balance the needs of your baby with managing other daily tasks and responsibilities, but it’s so essential to make time for yourself. Taking care of your own needs sets the foundation for an overall positive wellbeing that will help you be the best mom that you can be.
Christine
January 31, 2023Yes! This is so true! You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Why is it that mothers feel like they come after everyone else? Women are selfless humans.
Bryan
January 31, 2023My greatest problem area is keeping active. I need some type of system that will prompt me to do physical exercise. I can never seem to remember.
Kathy
January 31, 2023Yes, I agree with this. You definitely have to take care of yourself too. This is so important.
Barbies Beauty Bits
January 31, 2023Eating healthy and sleeping is important for us all. With a busy life, many seem to themselves on the back burner
Monica
February 1, 2023A happy healthy well rested mom makes for a better mom! I have to take care of myself FOR my kids!
Nish
February 1, 2023I agree. Caring for self is a must. It’s hard when you have a new baby and are completely devoted to this new life, but it must be done to maintain your sanity in the long run.