There’s no doubt that first-time parents may find themselves a bit stressed out, worn out, and mentally tapped out when it comes to the demands of taking care of a newborn baby. But when it comes to taking care of your child, it’s also important that you take care of yourselves and each other as well.
Take a look at these five helpful tips to making sure the mommies are caring for themselves just as well as their caring for that new bundle of joy…
1. Tag-Team Those Late Night Feedings: Chronic sleep deprivation isn’t going to do anyone any good.
It can wreak havoc on your mood, memory, concentration, and ability to cope with every day stress. Instead of both of you getting up with the baby, it’s better to take turns…tag-team it. That way one of you gets to catch up on your sleep while the other tends to the child. Then switch it up the following night and so on.
2. Take Care of Your Health: If one of the mommas isn’t feeling well, the whole family is going to feel it.
Both of you should focus on good health and nutrition as well as proper sleep for yourselves too, not only the child.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Time For Yourself: Know it’s okay to take time away from your child sometimes.
Quality “you” time is just as important as quality time spent with the baby. So go ahead and take some quiet time to finish that book, have coffee with a friend, or go for a relaxing walk. This will work wonders for centering you and refreshing your mind and body.
4. Accept Help: It’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it will do wonders for the stress level and exhaustion.
Accepting help doesn’t mean you are any less of a mother. It simply means you’re willing to acknowledge that you really could us a bit of a breather from the stress and tiredness…especially if you’re running on fumes from the late night feedings and basically everything else that comes with caring for an infant.
5. Spend Time With Your Partner: You and your partner decided to raise a child together, yes, but that doesn’t mean you should let your relationship take a back seat to the baby.
Make sure you find the time to spend together. Whether that means getting a babysitter so you can have an occasional night out on the town, or simply watching a movie together at home with some takeout without being interrupted, nurturing your relationship is just as important as nurturing your newborn.
