Becoming a mum is a roller coaster of emotions. One minute it’s joyous and exciting and the next, it’s daunting and overwhelming. Even the most prepared mum-to-be won’t be fully prepared when the time finally comes as with some things, you can only know once you’ve experienced it.
Of course, all of your focus is set to be on your newborn baby and trying to stay in the newborn bubble for as long as possible. But, one thing that is crucial when you have a baby is making sure that you look after yourself as much as possible. When you become a new mum, you realise just how important self-care is when you begin to drain all of your natural resources in order to care for your new bundle of joy. With that in mind, here is a brief guide into how to take care of yourself as a new mum.
Rest
From the moment your baby is born, almost everyone will tell you to rest and, whilst this can get grating at times (especially when your baby is restless!) it really is important. Newborns typically wake every three hours and need to be fed and changed. You can quickly become exhausted as a new parent, so getting rest when you can is really important.
In those first few weeks, you need to let someone else pick up any other responsibilities and you can focus on you and your baby. It’s cliché, but you need to sleep when the baby sleeps and, whilst this might only be a couple of 20-minute naps here and there throughout the day, they will make a difference to the way you feel.
Follow A Healthy Diet
If you choose to breastfeed after giving birth, then you will likely hear a lot of conflicting information about the best ways to do so. But, one thing that is beneficial for both your wellness and your breast milk supply is following a healthy diet.
Whilst a breastfeeding mother doesn’t need to eat certain foods to produce milk or increase milk supply, some foods can help with your overall breastfeeding journey. Fruits and vegetables, starchy foods (such as potatoes, pasta, rice and bread), plenty of fiber and protein should be included in your diet. By eating a healthy diet, your body will get everything it needs to support you whilst breastfeeding and can even pass some of these nutrients to your baby.
Keep Hydrated
You should also make sure to drink plenty of water and keep hydrated. As a new mum, you might find that you feel hotter than you did pre-birth and experience night sweats. These scenarios can make you dehydrated, which will then make you feel more tired and groggy and can impact on your breast milk supply. Keep a bottle of water by your bed for night feeds and be sure to drink regularly throughout the day, as well as juices, teas and other hot drinks.
Author Bio:
Natalie Wilson is a freelance health and wellness writer from Manchester, England, with a focus on parent and child health. She loves researching and writing about new health trends and topics, whether it’s about finding the best weaning bibs for a successful weaning journey or looking after your mental health as a new parent. You can connect with her on Twitter @natwilson976.
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