5 Self-Care Tips for New Moms to Regain Health
Giving birth to a baby is one of the most remarkable events of a woman’s life. Nonetheless, this event often brings with it emotional stress and unprecedented challenges. Women find it difficult to juggle personal well-being, work responsibilities, and other activities alongside parenting duties. Fortunately, they can benefit from various resources to ease the burden of motherhood. For instance, UC San Francisco has a post-partum support group to help parents navigate parenting challenges in the initial months. With an online support group and lactation consultants available, new parents can seek expert guidance to provide the care their baby deserves. The online support group particularly focuses on the health and well-being of mothers who may be feeling the post-partum blues.
As a new mother, you may feel overwhelmed with all the changes in your life now that you must provide full-time care to a dependent child. Apart from the challenges of breastfeeding and frequent night feeds, the pregnancy brings with it extra weight on your arms, chest, tummy, and thighs. A study claimed that thousands of women experience a decline in self-esteem during pregnancy, which continues for up to three years.
Fortunately, modern surgical techniques have given mothers the liberty to reclaim their confidence with a mommy makeover. If you live in San Francisco, you may have access to the best aesthetic clinics that offer mommy makeovers. A mommy makeover includes cosmetic procedures such as a tummy tuck, labiaplasty, liposuction, and breast enhancement.
New mothers must prioritize their physical and mental well-being to fulfill their duty towards their families and their new baby. Below, we’ll discuss self-care tips for new moms to regain their health after having a baby.
- Maintain A Healthy Diet
A new mother may need to feed her baby seven to eight times daily, sometimes with multiple awakenings at night. It may get difficult to prepare hearty meals for yourself due to exhaustion.
The CDC recommends an additional 350-400 calories for breastfeeding mothers from their previous intake of around 2000-2500. Breastfeeding mothers should also include foods rich in iodine and choline, which can be found in dairy products, eggs, meats, and seafood. You can also consult a lactation expert to guide you with your daily dietary requirements as a breastfeeding mother.
- Sleep Well
New mothers mostly compromise on sleep, especially in the initial years. Most new mothers face sleep problems due to constant awakenings to feed the baby at night. If sleep problems persist beyond the first three months, you may suffer from post-partum insomnia.
Lack of sleep can affect your daily routine and your stamina to perform daily tasks. It can also cause undue stress, affecting your breast milk supply. It is advised for new mothers to sleep when the baby naps during the day. The chores of the house can wait — your well-being comes first. You can also divide your chores and baby duties with your partner so that you can get adequate sleep during the day and night.
- Get Moving
Regular exercise elevates your mood, gives you that boost of energy, and helps you sleep better. As a new mom, you can indulge in quality me-time with a stroll in the park. Strap your baby in the stroller, grab a coffee, and stroll in your neighborhood.
Exercise can also help you shed the extra weight gained during pregnancy. A new mom should try to include some form of exercise at least thrice a week, for 30 minutes each. You can also perform pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles after birth.
- Get a Post-Partum Massage
According to the American Pregnancy Association, about two-thirds of new mothers experience temporary post-partum blues due to additional responsibilities and hormonal changes. Post-partum depression is a bitter reality, but it can be dealt with effectively through the right resources. Therapeutic techniques such as emotional support and post-natal massage can significantly reduce the anxiety of new mothers.
A post-natal massage is an excellent tool for reducing stress, relieving pain, and getting better sleep. It can be taken during the first 12 weeks after birth. Under the guidance of a trained massage therapist, a full body massage will loosen your arms, chest, back, and shoulders and help you relax.
If you feel your stress levels aren’t improving, seek professional assistance.
- Maintain Healthy Connections
You may feel like your friends and family may not like your company now that a baby takes your attention. You may also feel disconnected from your partner because they don’t have to look after the baby for most of the day. Your feelings can stem from overthinking and are likely not true.
So, carve out time to focus on your connections with your family and friends. You can find a babysitter or any family member to watch your baby and enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the company of your friends.
You can also share the highlights of your day with your partner. Talk to them about the changes you see in your child as they grow. At least once a month, find someone to look after your child and head out for a date night. You’ll be surprised with how much intimacy helps with stress relief as a parent.
Conclusion
Bringing new life into this world is an experience full of joy and emotional challenges. Women experience mixed emotions and often find this period difficult to navigate. Children grow up to be what they see and hear. As such, it’s essential for mothers to be happy and healthy to raise a happy child. Bringing a child into this world requires you to be the best version of yourself – physically and emotionally. Research has allowed mothers to identify post-partum depression and seek emotional support from experienced professionals. Whether it’s joining an emotional support group or getting help with staying fit, new mothers should be dealt with kindness. A mommy makeover is an incredible solution for mothers struggling with their new bodies, and it helps them regain confidence in themselves.
