When feeding it’s easy to get into positions that are comfortable for baby but not so much for you. Then there is constant lifting, carrying and all the extra general work and jobs that your body has to do every day. Meeting a baby’s every need, all day can also be quite stressful at times. So it’s really important to take excellent care of you. Remember, you can’t fill from an empty cup! Here are some helping mom tips to feel better fast.
Yoga
Yoga really makes the difference. I used to love going to yoga classes in the city up to 3 times a week and I totally get that being in a studio with others has a benefit. That said, it can be hard to make that time when baby’s around so it might be time to embrace what you can get done in your living room.
With Youtube, there are literally millions of options. My preferred choice is the Down Dog app. You can tailor classes with an emphasis on any particular need your body might have e.g. a shoulders, hips, etc. You can adjust the length of class and relaxation at either end, the instructor voice, the music etc. So it’s easy to get a class that’s just right for what you need. For me it’s exceptionally good value.
Getting out for walks
With a new baby in tow it can take so long to get yourself and baby washed, fed and slept enough to get out the door. By then the weather can easily change. So, it can feel like a real achievement just to make it outside that when you do, you’ll be delighted with yourself. You’ll be reminded that the universe is bigger than your own four walls and you’ll get a sense of personal head space as baby will likely enjoy the walk too and be happy with the feeling of the motion, without needing too much engagement from you. The mental and physical benefits of getting out for a walk keep paying dividends all day.
Ask for help. Accept it when it’s offered
This is one that everyone said to me but it took me a while to embrace. You have so much going on. It’s better for baby if you let a little help in. Accept the first time it’s offered. If you know your sister is batch cooking, ask her to ‘put you in the pot’. You can repay favours another time.
Joining Mom groups and meet-ups
The parents I met through parenting groups were a source of such camaraderie, laughs, logic, knowledge and general learning for me. I’d have been completely lost without them. I didn’t stay in all the groups I joined initially and then there were others where smaller sub-groups formed and these were even better. I have been so grateful to have the company of peers on this journey. Here are some tips on how to build that strong support network that will really help you thrive.
Get some respite. Do it!
After a lot of research while pregnant, I found the loveliest lady who was happy to mind Max at times. It was a funny time with so many bugs going around so it felt like a real compromise to mix him with other households. Doing so really made the world of difference to me. It gave me a chance to get things done, go places you can’t bring a baby, or just be me and have my own attention for an hour or two, here and there.
Being a single parent, 24/7 is a lot and without this respite, I might have struggled to maintain the energy, clarity and momentum I needed to have. My family were very generous in terms of minding when they could but sometimes their availability mightn’t have matched with my needs and it was game-changing to not feel like I was using up precious favours all the time. My baby benefits from being with other people, interacting with other children, playing with other toys and being stimulated by different environments. It’s a win-win!
Healthier hair that’s easier to style
Many people feel better with good hair. Before the world went mad I used to get at least one blow dry a week. That and monthly highlights left my hair needing a lot of TLC and it took a lot of work to tame it. I wasn’t very good at styling my own hair and found that shortly after I’d roasted myself straightening my mop it would often frizz up straight away.
Then I splurged on the Dyson Air Wrap. The fact that I wasn’t pointing a too-hot hair dryer too close to my hair for 30 minutes every couple of days and instead was using a tool that was much cooler and better at distributing heat evenly, meant that my hair recovered quickly.
As a result, it needed less styling, less frequently. I found that the curling function on the Air Wrap was 80% as good at least as a curly blow dry and I could do that on my own in 18 minutes. So…. While it was pricey indeed, it was easy to justify the cost. I encouraged my Mom to get one too and she hasn’t looked back either. She gets loads of compliments on how her hair looks now – styling and quality-wise.
If you’re still struggling to justify the expense, remember that it’s the cost of about 11 blow-dries – not to mention all the repair products you might not have to buy any more.
Hydrate
This one’s so obvious. But having a 750ml water bottle that can help you stay on track of what you actually get to drink!
This Kambukka 750ml water bottle uses Snapclean means you can throw it safely in a bag and because of its shape, and the fact that all the bits come apart, the dishwasher has a really good chance of cleaning it hygienically.
Getting to actually drink your favourite tea/coffee
If, like me, you make many more cups of tea and coffee than you get to drink(!), a travel mug can help keep your favourite drinks warm for longer, even when you’re at home. They’re also a winner for when you get out on those lovely walks with baby.
Reduce the amount of time you spend looking for stuff!
You can make the Tile ring from your phone. So they are game-changing for helping you save time looking for stuff. I think they’re so great I’ve bought them for each of my family members.
What tips would you like to share? Let me know in the comments!