Top Seven Simple Self Care Tips for New Mums

As a new mom, your life takes a drastic shift immediately after your baby is born. For some, these lifestyle changes could begin as early as when they realise that they are pregnant. If you are currently pregnant, do embrace lifestyle changes as they may actually be good and can contribute to your overall well-being. 

Inevitably, for some expectant as well as new mothers, the changes are not as positive as they would hope for them to be. If you are one of them, this article is for you. On top of dealing with the unpleasant changes, you may be too focused on preparation for your baby and forget your own well-being.

Mommy, Put Yourself First!

Once your baby arrives in this world, the caretaking can be overwhelming for you which may lead to self-neglect. For many new mothers, taking some time to take care of themselves becomes a hard nut to crack, and soon the signs of neglect and lack of personal hygiene start to show.

If you find that you have not been living your life to the fullest and may have even given up your passion as you care for your newborn, it is time you bring back the focus onto yourself. Remember, YOU should be your number 1 priority. After all, a happy mother makes a happy baby!  

While it is often unavoidable, becoming a mother does not mean it leaves you a room for self-neglect. You have to take care of yourself just as well as you are taking care of your newborn. Strike a balance between nursing the baby and letting yourself rest. 

If there are not enough hands to help you around, approach a confinement centre to find out how they can help you through this intense period. It is important that you maintain a balance in your life to keep both your mental and physical health well. Here are simple tips that will help you adjust to the new lifestyle and give yourself the care that you deserve.

Take Cosy Showers

The baby may demand your attention 24/7. You may realize that the day is already over and you have not even taken a shower. The baby may keep you so preoccupied you just do not have the chance to jump into your bathtub for a cosy shower. While mothers back then used to be taught to avoid showering back in the day, this teaching is no longer valid these days as technology has evolved far since then. Hence, there is a water heater in most showers everywhere so you can comfortably take showers while keeping your body’s warmth. Train your confinement nanny to take care of the baby in your absence to give you peace of mind. That way you can afford to soak yourself in your bathtub and enjoy that bath. Your body will thank you later.

New mothers normally practise taking the confinement herbal bath where your bath water would be herbal, with the herbs typically boiled and left to seep in the water. If you have a confinement nanny, she will settle the whole bath preparation for you. You do not have to worry about the herbs leaving sticky feeling or strong scent on your body as they are pretty heavily diluted in water and will not be of thick consistency that can leave unpleasant texture on your skin.

Upgrade Your Wardrobe

During your postnatal period, you will realize that the clothes that used to fit so well are now too small for your bulging belly. Do not force yourself into those poorly fitting clothes. The clothes will not bring out the best in you and will work against your self-esteem. Before you go for your delivery, remember to shop for postnatal clothes as you shop for your baby’s clothes. Get clothes that accentuate your features and bring the best out of you. You can even talk to a tailor who can pop in your house once in a while and take your new measurements. That way you can get clothes just tailored to suit your new body.

Get Salon & Spa Services

The fact that you are a new mom does not mean you should stay in the house with unkempt hair chipped and broken nails. Your hair requires as much attention as it did before your baby came. In fact, with a newborn in the house now, your hygiene is even more crucial as you would be handling them every day. Before you go for your delivery, take the time to visit a salon and get pampered. Make your hair, get that beautiful manicure and pedicure. 

After the baby comes, you can make arrangements for house calls. Talk to hairdressers or care service providers around Singapore and negotiate a realistic charge for their services. Getting pampered in an in-home postnatal massage is also extremely recommended and practised by many mothers in Singapore. The massage therapists will visit your place to your convenience and offer their services in the comfort of your home.

Pursue Your Interests

Just because your baby is here does not mean you stop being you. You may not have all the time to pursue your interests and hobbies but set some time aside and do the things that you love. If you love playing the piano, do not just give it up. Sneak to your study room once in a while and take the keys away. The music will also help you relax and focus. If you love writing like, set some time aside and let the pen glide on.

Comfort Your Body

Your postnatal body will need some working on to get back in shape. Adopt a suitable exercise regime that can help you regain your health as well as your prenatal shape if you wish. You can talk to your caregivers during your confinement period to guide you on simple exercises that will help you burn excess fats without too much strain. Do not overdo it because your body is still recovering from childbirth.

Seek Support

Managing your home and taking care of the baby may be too overwhelming for you. Make arrangements to get support from a confinement nanny who will help you take care of your home, run errands and watch over your baby while you rest. Such support will help keep your sanity, and you can set some time aside to rest as the lady watches over your little one.

Eat Healthily

As you breastfeed, your body will demand more and more food. The body has high demands for food due to milk production and the recovery from childbirth. Make conscious health decisions about the food you eat. Avoid eating junk food and switch to healthier and fresh food. If the hunger strikes in between meals, go for fruits and vegetables. Remember to watch the starch you are taking in, to avoid putting on too much weight. You can talk to a nutritionist to guide you on the daily dietary needs that will help keep you nourished without adding too much weight.

Mothers who practise confinement are usually served with confinement meals every day and these meals are meant to aid in their healing and recovery. There is a notion that confinement foods are filled with herbs and are thus strong-tasting, but this is not necessarily the case. In fact, a lot of confinement foods these days are just focused in the nutrition aspect. Herbal or not, as long as the ingredients can provide nutritional value that can benefit a postpartum mom, they certainly should be in your foods! You can check out a list of confinement food that is huge in both variety and flavours. 

Use these simple tips to care for yourself during your postnatal period. However, while at it remember to love and accept the new you. Do not seek validation from friends or relatives. Start by acknowledging that you no longer have to care for your needs only but those of your baby as well. Treat yourself with care and do not push yourself too much. That way, you will be a happier and confident person.

You May Also Read this : Benefits Of Herbal Showers For Mothers During Confinement