10 Self-Care Tips for Moms with Newborns

Having a newborn is overwhelming, whether it be your first, second, or third time around, each time bringing on new and different challenges.  For the first time, everything is new and unknown–no matter how much you’ve read!  For the second time onwards, you have other children to consider.  

It is important that moms with newborns take the time to care for themselves and not just their children.  Not practicing self-care can lead to physical illness, feeling emotionally drained, and/or not being able to properly function in your role as mother, wife/partner, friend, etc.  

Below is a quick list of 10 tips moms with newborns can consider when trying to find methods for self-care.

• Eat Well

If you have a newborn you are very likely to be breastfeeding, which means it is important for you to eat well. This doesn’t mean give in to your cravings–although you can!–it means making sure your food is nutritious and healthy. Trust that your body will thank you for it, and you will feel good too!

• Exercise

This can be difficult to do, but if you give it some thought, you are likely to work it into your newborn routines. Do squats in the shower, lunges as you go around the house, arm exercises as you watch television. Just get your blood pumping! Like eating well, you will feel good about it!

• Sleep

Ever hear of the advice: sleep when your baby sleeps? It’s pretty sound advice. But it’s only a start. Try to get shut-eye whenever you can, even when your baby is awake. Maybe your partner can play with the baby for a couple of hours while you get some extra uninterrupted sleep.

• Be intimate with your partner

It’s easy for couples to become overwhelmed by the new baby and forget to care for each other. Small gestures can go a long way. Give your partner a long hug, a foot rub, a head massage, or make them their favourite snack. They in turn are likely to find extra time to do these little things for you, and that’s a wonderful foundation to have and for your baby to see.

• Do something just for you

Maybe it’s yoga. Maybe it’s knitting. Maybe it’s doing a six-episode marathon of your favourite soap. Whatever it is, find time to do something you truly enjoy. No guilt allowed!

• Spend some time outdoors

Even just fifteen minutes in a garden or surrounded by trees, soaking in the sun, and smelling the air can do wonders by way of helping you feel rejuvenated. Try to walk barefoot on the grass, smell some flowers, or just listen to birds. You’ll find yourself smiling.

• Start a journal

Okay, you’re stressed, you lack sleep, and you don’t know if you’re doing this right. Well, write about it! Journal keeping can be very cathartic. Plus, you will have a wonderful little memento to give your child about the time they were an infant.

• Reach out to friends

When you’re ready, ask a friend over for some girl time. Open a bottle of wine, bring out some ice cream, or sit together as you scroll through the latest Instagram trends. Whatever you need to do as long as you connect and reconnect with the other important humans in your life.

• Choose to see no one

Alternatively, if you’re not ready, do not feel obligated to see people who want to see you and/or the baby. Everything in your own time. Remember, you’re the one who just became a mom!

• Try meditation or quiet time

If you have a spare 10 minutes, take time to close your eyes, breathe, and think of nothing. Just stay quiet, sit with yourself, and clear your head. It’s one of the best ways to start the day and prepare you for all you need to do.

Self-care is about making sure your physical, emotional, and social tanks are filled.  When these are well addressed, you will feel fulfilled and happy, which is really what you need to be the best version of you for all the roles you play in your baby’s and in other people’s lives.  And beyond others, you will feel fulfilled and happy for yourself.  Remember, do it for them, but also do it for you!