Even new mothers need time for themselves and between trying to get in some postpartum exercises and taking care of your new baby you sometimes forget that you need to nurture yourself as well. You need to relax in addition to getting plenty of rest and exercise, but relaxing doesn't have to mean sitting down all of the time. Relaxing simply means taking a break from the chores of being a mother for just a little while to replenish yourself.
Easier said than done? Sometimes, but there is no rule book or child rearing manual that states you have to be on duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, especially the first few months of your babies life when babies are the most demanding. You need a break as well and its all right to ask someone you trust if they would watch the baby for a few hours so you can indulge in a long postpartum relaxation session of your own. Depending on how you gave birth and if you are cleared by your doctor, that relaxation session could be a long soak in the tub, a professional massage, or just a trip to the salon to get your hair and nails done.
Take The Time To Really Think About Your Postpartum Life:
Stop and contemplate on the things you used to love to do before you got pregnant. What made you feel good? What fulfilled your day? What can you work back into your now slightly more hectic schedule of feedings, laundry, and other daily chores that you do? Once you figure that out, find a way to do them again. Start out with one and see how it works out. For example, if you loved to write or journal, spend ten or fifteen minutes of your baby's nap to do that. It may not be as intricate or detailed as what you used to do, but you feel good about yourself when you do it and that is the main focus.
Get The Family Involved In Order To Get Your Postpartum Time In:
Postpartum relaxation could be aided by having someone help out around the house doing some of the things you simply hate, such as the dishes, dusting, cooking and laundry. If you're really lucky, you can get your significant other to do it. Otherwise, look into hiring a maid and or taking up a friend on their offer of 'if there is anything I can do call me'. Go out and have a good time with your significant other and leave the baby with someone you trust. If there is not a significant other call a friend or family member to spend some time with.
The idea behind postpartum relaxation is to have some 'me' time. Don't feel guilty about it. By being able to pamper and indulge yourself, you will become stressed and the smallest thing will make it worse. If you are going to be a working mom, those first few months spending time with your new baby will mean everything to you. Children, even newborns, can pick up on your stress levels. Be stress free for both you and your baby. You'll both be much happier.
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