When you have a baby, life changes forever. No longer does your life revolve around you, your wants and needs. Instead, it’s all about taking care of this precious little life you have created. While this is beautiful and natural, it doesn’t mean you should disregard yourself completely. It’s actually incredibly important that you continue to look after yourself, with a little one relying on you you need to be happy and healthy so you’re ready to tackle whatever you come up against on this new adventure. Here are some of the ways you can look after yourself as a new parent.
Eat well
Chances are you will have adopted healthy eating habits during pregnancy, so you’re already on track to continue doing this when you have your baby. The issue you’re likely to face is time, and so you need ways to eat healthy food without it needing lots of preparation or extra work each day. One of the best ways you can do this is by batch cooking meals– whenever you get chance cook up a big portion of your favourite healthy meal and then divide what’s left into tupperware boxes and put in the freezer. In time, you will build up a selection of tasty, healthy, home cooked dinners that only need to be put in the microwave. You could even do this in the weeks before your baby arrives since lots of things will last for months. You avoid the expense, extra additives, salt, sugar and fat that convenience foods from the supermarket are loaded with when you do it this way.
Exercise- but not too soon
Exercise will help you to rebuild your strength, keep your fitness levels up and boost mental health too. But don’t do too much too soon, pregnancy and birth are one of the most demanding things your body can go through so follow your doctor’s advice. Start small, walks with your baby in the pram are great for getting some fresh air and helping you to get out and about again. Walking is great exercise and won’t put too much stress on your body, and it’s an activity you can do without having to have your baby looked after by anyone else.
Think about mental health
After having a baby, your brain will probably be all over the place. As much as this is a beautiful time and lots of new mothers are happy and relieved to have delivered a healthy baby, there are a hundred and one other emotions running through you too. Exhaustion and hormones can intensify these problems, and mental illnesses such as depression are very real and can come back or be triggered after having a baby. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, whether it’s to your GP or a company like Caroline Bronte Counselling. Speaking it through and getting the right treatment. Whether it’s medication, therapy or both is so important.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, while you might want to devote everything you have to your baby you’ll do far better looking after yourself too. Good luck on your parenting adventure!
*Contributed Post
