It’s not a secret that new parents are tired…babies are hard! As I sit down for breakfast this morning with my little one sleeping in the Solly carrier (after a surprisingly calm night last night), I was thinking about how my life has changed in the past 6 weeks. It has changed in the most amazing way but also, of course, has had its challenges. I wanted to jot down a few things that I’ve been reminding myself of with the hope that it will give you, or any mom, an extra boost of encouragement also. As you take a look and reflect, don’t forget to share things that you remind yourself of as a new mom (or seasoned mom!) so we can continue to pass it forward.
My New Mom Reminders:
- It is ok to set boundaries and be protective of your newborn baby – you are your little one’s main advocate right now to keep them safe!
- Taking care of a baby (or any child) is a full time job. Period. It is labor intensive, it is exhausting, it is mentally draining, it is physically draining (literally if you are breastfeeding too). You are doing so much each day, be proud of that!
- Lower your expectations- it’s a balancing act. It is not realistic to take care of your little one all day, take care of yourself (eat, shower, exercise, etc.), take care of your home, take care of your spouse, etc. If you have an extra 10 minutes in your day, you have to choose how to spend that time based on what you need in that moment. For example, yesterday I chose to lay down on the floor with my dog for 10 minutes and cuddle instead of cleaning the kitchen….it made me happy and that’s what was important for me at that time 🙂
- Recognize that healing is a journey in itself. Pregnancy and childbirth takes a toll on your body both physically and mentally. I thought I would be hopping on my Peloton at 6 weeks postpartum and guess what…I am totally NOT there. Even taking a long walk without feeling pain downstairs is hard for me at 6 weeks postpartum. Each person’s body and journey is different so don’t compare yourself and don’t worry about where you are in your healing journey. You’ll get there!
- Ask for and accept help. I have a hard time accepting help – I feel like I can do it on my own but I’ve realized recently that there is something really great about having a trusting person hold your baby while you have a long, hot shower or someone to come over and just be an extra set of hands. If you don’t have family or friends in your area, check out local Facebook mom groups or reach out to neighbors. It’s unbelievable how any mom will do anything to help another mom out. Becoming a mom puts you in a community I can’t begin to describe – it’s amazing. Also, ask for help if you feel overly anxious or sad. I had my 6 week postpartum appointment this week and had a very honest conversation about my anxiety with my midwife – it helps to talk about it and get help if you need it.
- Go easy on how you look. I have had more than a few crying sessions because I feel like I have absolutely nothing to wear and look gross. My pre-pregnancy jeans don’t fit, my maternity jeans fall down because I don’t have enough of a belly to hold them up, my hair is thinning, I have hormonal breakouts occasionally, I have bags under my eyes…the list could go on. It is hard to think about all of these things and not have a breakdown. I’ve been trying to remind myself that it took 9 months to grow, it may take 9 months (or longer) to reset. I also remind myself that my body has done some amazing, incredible things and I should be proud of the way I look even if it is different than pre-pregnancy.
- ENJOY this time. Go out with your baby – go to the mall, go get coffee, go on a drive. Appreciate the moments of peace and chaos. Tell your family you love them and be kind. Cuddle your baby (you can’t spoil them when they’re this little)! Take photos and videos. Dance with your baby in the carrier. Go on a walk. Daydream about who your baby will be. Journal. Play! This time is already going so fast, my son is growing so quickly. Time with him is most important right now – everything else can wait.
These 6 weeks have been hard but we keep moving forward and we get through it. For any other new moms out there – what reminders do you have for yourself? For seasoned moms, what do you remember about this stage and what would you tell a new mom to remember?
xoxo, LL
Little Libbie 
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