How to Prioritize Mom Self-Care-during the newborn phase

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Your self-care is so important especially in the newborn phase! This is a list of all my best tips for making YOU a priority during this precious time.


Hey Mama! Welcoming a newborn into your life is a profound and transformative experience, filled with moments of joy, wonder, and exhaustion. As you adjust to the demands of caring for your little one, it's easy to lose sight of your own needs amidst the round-the-clock feedings, diaper changes, and sleepless nights. However, prioritizing self-care during the newborn phase is essential for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. In this guide, we'll explore practical tips and strategies to help you nurture yourself during this precious but challenging time.

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Tips for Postpartum Self-Care:

1. Rest Whenever Possible:

Sleep deprivation is a common challenge during the newborn phase, but finding opportunities to rest whenever possible can help alleviate fatigue and restore your energy levels. Nap when your baby sleeps, even if it's just for a short period. The housework really can wait! Enlist the help of your partner, family members, or friends to share in the caregiving responsibilities, allowing you to steal moments of restorative sleep. Trust me, visitors will happily take your baby for feedings or just nap snuggles while you get a bit of rest for yourself. You can catch up with them later! My mom would even come take my baby for an hour or two to her house just so we could rest without being woken up by the cries, because I was very alert to them during those newborn days.

2. Prioritize Nutrition and Hydration:

Nourishing your body with nutritious foods and staying hydrated are crucial aspects of postpartum self-care. Stock up on healthy snacks and easy-to-prepare meals that provide the energy and nutrients your body needs to recover from childbirth and sustain milk production if you're breastfeeding.

Check out my New Mom Bundle for my easy meal-prep freezable crockpot meals and protein packed snacks. These were vital for both my breastfeeding journey and energy for me and my sleep deprived hubby. Keep a water bottle handy IN EVERY ROOM and aim to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. I didn’t want to lug one around when I was carrying my baby, and I seriously filled one for every room each morning. For more on postpartum health and nutrition check out my post How I Prioritized and Maintained Health and Fitness Postpartum — XO Marilyn Elizabeth.

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3. Seek Support:

Building a strong support network is vital during the newborn phase, as it can provide invaluable assistance and emotional encouragement. Lean on your partner, family members, and friends for practical help with household chores, meal preparation, and childcare duties. I had so many people wanting to visit in the beginning, and I put those visits to good use. You can either let them hold the baby while you get a shower, take a nap, or get an uninterrupted meal OR you can ask them to help around the house with things like dishes or laundry! Yes, they really do want to help! It goes against my instincts to let others help, but I decided before I had my son to accept all the help I was offered. I did as best as I could and after experiencing it once, I now know where I need more help this second time around. It is also important to have loved ones around who can help you recognize signs of postpartum depression. Have a chat with your closest support people before baby comes about any concerns you may have, and give them a list of symptoms just to keep so they can check in with you!

Another way to build support is by joining postpartum support groups or connecting with other new moms online. Joining FB groups like a due date group can offer a sense of camaraderie and reassurance during this transitional period. Seeing other moms going through the same things as you real time is so helpful.

4. Practice Self-Compassion:

Adjusting to life with a newborn can be overwhelming, and it's normal to experience a range of emotions, including stress, anxiety, and self-doubt. Be gentle with yourself and practice self-compassion as you navigate through the challenges of parenthood. Acknowledge your efforts and achievements, no matter how small, and remind yourself that you're doing the best you can in a demanding situation. Find affirmations to build yourself up and encourage you in tough times. My best tip to get you through is to create an attitude of gratitude! Rewire your thoughts when you’re feeling down and take a minute to write down 3 things you are grateful for in that moment! This practice and really help you build the habit and eventually you’ll start redirecting your thinking in this way all on your own!

5. Carve Out Time for Self-Care Rituals:

Despite the demands of caring for a newborn, carving out time for self-care rituals is essential for maintaining your overall well-being. Set aside a few moments each day to engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it's taking a warm bath, practicing mindfulness meditation, or indulging in a favorite hobby. Prioritizing self-care allows you to recharge and replenish your reserves, enabling you to better meet the needs of your baby and yourself.

I had a checklist of my very basic needs to ensure I at least made that time for myself. The first month the top 3 reminders I had in my phone were to drink water at set intervals, take a shower, and take a nap, which often happened when baby was sleeping. Even if I felt like I didn’t need a shower, it was a reenergizing reset to my day. My partner would take my baby while I showered at the same time every day when he got off work. He even had strict orders to encourage that shower as I knew it was such a vital part of my mental health routine. Rest, hydration and self-care absolutely helped me combat baby blues and even establish my breastfeeding journey success!

The newborn phase is a time of profound change and adjustment, both physically and emotionally. Prioritizing self-care during this period is not selfish but essential for your well-being and the well-being of your baby. By nurturing yourself with rest, nutrition, support, self-compassion, and self-care rituals, you can navigate through the challenges of the newborn phase with greater resilience and grace. Remember, you are deserving of care and compassion!

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