4 Postpartum Self-Care Tips for New Moms

As a new mom, all the attention is, of course, on your newborn baby, and for a good reason. However, if you help yourself and take care of yourself too, this will, in turn, be beneficial for your baby and new family too.

Being a new parent is filled with new surprises and ever-changing responsibilities. Still, it is also a time to enjoy and remember everyone is different, so don’t worry too much about doing anything wrong. One important thing to remember is to take time for yourself, and here are just a few simple ways to give yourself some well-deserved self-care.

1. Eat Well

Remember that as a new mother, you want to make sure you are taking care of your new baby as well as your own body. Make sure that you are making time for yourself to eat properly and drink lots of water. Specifically, if you are breastfeeding, you are giving away much of your nutrients to your new baby so that they can grow and develop, so you, too, need to do the same. A woman who is breastfeeding will be burning more calories than normal, so you want to ensure that you are getting enough calorie intake.

More than ever, you do want to make sure that you are eating nutritious foods, especially if you will be passing it on through breastmilk. Making food does not have to be complex or take too much time since, of course, you will be busy. Eat foods that are high in fiber, like whole grains. Also, make sure that you are incorporating fruits and vegetables, and proteins. Boil an egg or have a bowl of fruit for an easy but sturdy meal. Another great idea is to prepare your meals ahead of time; when you do have a bit of time, you can put together some easy pre-cooked meals for the week to save you some time. On top of great food, make sure you are staying hydrated so that both your baby and yourself are getting enough liquid.

2. Prioritize your Comfort

As a new mother, you will now be in charge of a small human and you will inevitably do anything to keep them healthy and comfortable. However, you need to make sure you are not ignoring your own needs.

Take some time even if it is for a short period every day to pamper yourself, relax, and splurge on your own wants and needs. Even getting up in the morning and giving yourself time to do your hair or spend a few extra minutes in the shower will help improve your mood. When you leave the house, put on some clothing that makes you feel confident. Try our girdle from Bellefit to help you with your body confidence when you step out as a new mom.

It might be something as simple as watching your favorite show, spending money on a new outfit, or a cozy blanket. If you put in just a little effort for yourself then it can make a big difference to both you and your baby’s well-being.

3. Movement

Moving or exercising may sound like a daunting task. A new mom might feel a little uncomfortable in their new skin and feel drained from all the new mom's duties.

Moving your body is excellent to help slowly get your body back to what it used to be. For the first few weeks after giving birth, you do not want to do any intense workouts but some slow movements will help begin the process. Maybe you will get out for a short walk or try some simple yoga moves.

If you take a few minutes to move your muscles and get the blood flow going, this can help you feel good and begin to reclaim your body as you remember it. Everybody is different and it may take you a little more time after giving birth to feel comfortable moving, but take your time and listen to your body. Move if you want and rest when you need it.

4. Be Okay with Saying No

Having a new baby is an exciting experience but also a very personal and intimate one. Of course, you may want to share this experience with close family and friends but it is okay to say no sometimes, even to those who are close. Be sure to draw a line when it comes to visitors, the last thing you want is to be over-stressed when you don’t need to be.

Having visitors with a new baby can be great and helpful, but it can also be overwhelming especially for a new mother that is trying to adjust to new things and spend time with their new baby. One tip is to really listen to your feelings when it comes to scheduling people coming to visit or that want to meet your new baby.

It is okay to say no. Your new mother's experience is uniquely yours and you may find yourself changing your thoughts about how little or how much you want to see other people and have extra bodies in your house. Listen to yourself and decide on what you feel comfortable with, be okay with saying no.

Take Care of Yourself

Taking care of yourself as a new mom is important, for not only yourself but also for your new family as well. Just because you are spending a lot more attention on someone else does not mean you should ignore your own wants and needs. In fact, all the more reason to make sure you are being taken care of as well which will further benefit your new baby.

Hopefully, these simple tips will give you a few ideas of where you can turn your attention to your own needs, even if only briefly. Take care of your physical body as well as your peace of mind. Take time for you.