If you find that it’s nearly impossible to have some time for yourself after the baby arrived, you’re not alone; most mothers feel the same. It’s easy to be sacrificial so you can give your baby the best care possible. However it’s only by taking good care of yourself that you can give the best to your child; otherwise, it would be similar to running a marathon with weights attached to your legs.
Taking some time every day for self-care helps you relax, be less irritable and respond to your child better-it can even protect you from postpartum depression. Here are ten after pregnancy care tips that you’ll find useful.
Your body would have exhausted many of its vital nutrients and you will need to start rebuilding the reserves. Eat nutritious food every day filled with fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and proteins. Exercise by taking walks only and nothing strenuous. Rest whenever you can.
The hormonal changes post-delivery can be one heck of a rollercoaster ride, therefore, you shouldn’t be worried if you often feel stressed or have negative feelings. It will pass in a few weeks and meanwhile, express it to your partner or parents for comfort.
Find ways to feel happy about the things around you and count your blessings every day. You will be pleasantly surprised at how many great things there are in your life that are working in your favour.
Take breaks now and then while you entrust the care of your child to a close family member. Take time off with your partner or alone to unwind and relax. No job can be done continuously without breaks.
Remember that nobody can do everything all by themselves, there will be times that will remind you of your limits. Therefore set realistic goals that are achievable whether it is getting things in order, dealing with your emotions or losing your pregnancy weight.
Try and see the funny side of things and laugh about it, especially about yourself. Looking at things without an exaggerated emotional reaction is a skill that’s needed to navigate stressful circumstances.
Keep it flexible and have a rough estimation of how much time you will put into each task and stick to it. Don’t fret if you are unable to stick to your plan and unexpected things bring in changes. The idea is to have a structure in the first place.
Postpone any other major life changes such as moving to a new place, taking up a new job or planning for a second baby. You will need time to settle into your role as a mother before the rest of the pieces can fall into place.
Network with other new parents and ensure you meet them regularly to discuss your concerns. You may find that many would have gone through similar experiences as yours and might give you insights or ideas you may not have had.
You could ask your mother to move in with you for a while or hire a midwife who offers postnatal care services to help you out on a daily basis. Ask for her assistance in bathing and massages that will help you recover sooner.
Self-care is seldom taught to us as we grow up and it’s easy to assume that prioritizing our own feelings would interfere with our duties toward our family. Here are some common thoughts that get in the way of self-care:
An effective way to beat self-defeating beliefs is to affirm the opposite, positive phrases to yourself every day. Here are some of the ideas you need to fill up in your mind to help you with self-care:
Although after-delivery care can seem like a daunting task for a mother, with proper help and support a new mother can recuperate quickly from childbirth. Maintaining good health and taking care of your emotional well being is essential to postnatal care.