Self-Care for New Moms
As a mother to a 7-month-old, Shruti found herself more and more frustrated each day. “My schedule? There is no schedule. When you have a little baby, it is impossible to stick to plans. I’m waking up three times in the night to breastfeed. She thinks the perfect time to poop is right when mummy steps foot outside the house. Such a naughty child! With a baby, another 32-year-old baby that I married, in-laws to look after, it gets really tiring sometimes.”
Shruti made a conscious decision to prioritize her own self-care alongside her responsibilities as a parent. Here’s what she has to say:
“Do it. Prioritize your self-care. The more love we give ourselves, the more we can give to others; and as mothers, we have to give a lot.
Let’s explore some important aspects of self-care for new mothers, including postpartum care, finding support, and striking a balance between motherhood and personal life. Keep reading!
Postpartum Wellness
• Postpartum wellness simply means taking care of yourself both physically and mentally in the immediate six to eight weeks after childbirth. On top of the physical healing, your hormone levels too undergo a lot of changes, affecting your mood, sleep, and more. Along with a newborn to take care of and a lot of things to learn and adjust to, it’s important to just care for yourself.
• Prioritize Rest: Embrace moments of rest and allow yourself to recharge. Adequate sleep and short naps can rejuvenate your energy. We understand that it’s hard to catch breaks when you feel there’s so many things to get done, but being sleep-deprived will only keep you from healing sooner and increase risk of postpartum depression.
• Nourish Your Body: Your body needs nourishing meals to heal and re-balance after childbirth. Incorporate nutrient-rich foods, such as vibrant fruits, leafy greens, lean proteins, and whole grains, to replenish your energy and support your postpartum recovery. Never skip meals!
• Gentle Exercise and Back Care: Once you get the all-clear from your doctor, engage in gentle exercises that promote healing and strengthen your body. Consider activities like postnatal yoga or leisurely walks to improve mood and blood circulation.
Pay attention to your back, which may experience strain from nursing and carrying your little one around. Practice good posture and explore back care steps in nursing with your doctor that can provide relief and strengthen your back muscles.
Finding Support
Parenting can be overwhelming at times, but remember, you don’t have to go through it alone. Asking for help from others can feel as if you’re failing as a parent, but parenting is a tough job and there’s nothing to be ashamed of about reaching out for support.
• Reach Out to Loved Ones for help with daily tasks like preparing meals, babysitting, or simply lending a listening ear to you.
• Join Parenting Communities: Sharing experiences, concerns, and advice can provide reassurance and a sense of belonging to new parents.
• Professional Assistance: If you find yourself overwhelmed and struggling, seek professional support. Mental health professionals, lactation consultants, and parenting coaches can provide valuable guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.
Balancing Parenthood and Personal Life
You might find that your passions and hobbies have fallen by the wayside. Try to find the delicate balance between your parental responsibilities and your personal life.
• Time Management: Prioritize important tasks to manage your time better and make yourself flexible to fit your baby’s needs in between tasks.
• Learn when to stop: Divide roles and responsibilities with your partner and learn to no say for things that might be too much for you to handle or fit into your schedule.
• Prioritize Self-Care: Find activities that you love, whether it’s losing yourself in a captivating book, taking a leisurely stroll in the park, practicing mindfulness or meditation, or just napping.
We asked ourselves, how can we help you on this incredible yet stressful journey? The answer was obvious, by making products for your baby with the same love and care that you have, maa. Teddyy Baby Diapers is one of the best diapers for newborn in India. Made specifically to fit the bodies of Indian babies and equipped with a special navel protection feature, Teddyy Baby Diapers ensure maximum comfort and protection for your little one.
And remember, you are doing incredibly well and we’re proud of you and we’re here for you! For tips, tricks and advice, keep coming back here.
New moms need tons of love, physical and emotional support during the postpartum period. Here’s a few ways you can show them you care:
• Offer help with household chores, cooking, and errands to alleviate her workload.
• Encourage rest and sleep by taking care of the baby during nap times.
• Support them emotionally by actively listening and offering reassurance.
• Encourage self-care activities such as taking relaxing baths, enjoying their favourite hobbies, or having some alone time.
• Help them find a comfortable environment for breastfeeding.
First-time moms have various needs during the postpartum period. Here are some things that can be helpful:
• Practical assistance with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and running errands.
• Emotional support and understanding as they adjust to new motherhood.
• Guidance and information on newborn care, breastfeeding, and postpartum recovery.
• Quality time to bond with their baby, along with moments of self-care and rest.
• A supportive network of family, friends, or support groups to share experiences and get helpful advice.
Don’t do these things for a few weeks after giving birth:
• Lifting heavy objects or engaging in physically stressful activities without your doctor’s approval.
• Not following recommended hygiene practices or skipping prescribed medications.
• Overloading your schedule with commitments or visitors, not allowing yourself time to rest and recover.
Here are some foods that can help a mother’s postpartum recovery and breastfeeding journey:
• Protein-rich foods such as lean meats, fish, beans, and lentils to support tissue repair.
• Calcium sources like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods to aid in bone strength and milk production.
• Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, chia seeds, and walnuts to support brain function and reduce inflammation.
• Iron-rich foods like lean meats, spinach, lentils, and dried fruits to replenish iron stores and prevent anaemia.
