Take Care of Yourself!

Everybody tells us to do that after having a baby, but who has the time? Babies take a lot of energy, most of our time, and do they ever sleep??

Taking care of yourself during these first few months with a newborn may seem like a low priority, but it’s not. Follow the advice of flight attendants, and put your oxygen mask on first!

This period is sometimes called the fourth trimester because it is an incredibly important part of becoming a mom and a family. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be much good to your baby. Here are a few simple ideas when time is of the essence:

  • Assemble Your Village  Yes, it does take a village, and you need help from yours. Let friends and family bring you meals. Ask for help with housework. Or just invite a friend over for coffee and conversation.
  • Take time for Yourself  You need time for yourself, even if it’s just to take a shower. It may not seem like much, but even five minutes alone in the shower with warm water streaming over your aching muscles can be therapeutic.
  • Postpartum Checkup  Don’t forget to schedule that all-important postpartum checkup with your healthcare provider, typically at about six weeks. You need to get checked out, and you probably have lots of questions to ask. Write down your questions as they occur to you, and take the list with you. 
  • Eat and Drink!  Don’t forget to eat (and try to make it healthy). Stay hydrated with water, juice, or tea throughout the day.
  • Sleep! Sleep when your baby sleeps. It’s not rocket science, even if it’s not always easy. 

Reach out to us at Bootheel Babies and Families if you need help at 573-475-8688.