Moms- Looking After Yourselves After the Birth

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I realise this may seem an obvious point, but as you are now a Mom with your baby at home, you will probably find that you are not sleeping as often as you used to before.

The average adult still requires around 7 or 8 hours of sleep, as they had before, but typically, with a new baby, it’s not uncommon to only be sleeping around 4 to 6 hours, and it’s usually interrupted sleep.

Hence, it’s important to work at having naps through the day when baby is having a sleep as well. This way, you’ll still have your required sleep, and the energy reserves to keep up!

It is also a good idea to limit the amount of coffee you drink, to perhaps no more than one or two cups.

If you must have more, it’s best that it is decaffeinated, as the caffeine can pass directly to the baby through your breast milk. Your protein supply is important as well, as you need to keep well fed.

However, whenever you get a spare moment, see if you can use the time for ‘me’ time.

I realise you may be laughing at this point, thinking that baby is taking up the majority of your time.

However, when you can, I recommend some time to your self.

This may be when your partner, or husband is looking after the baby.

My concern is that even if it is a short time, some time on your own is beneficial.

You may spend it reading a favourite novel, a magazine, but try to limit any stressful activity before bed.

I would not recommend trying to pay the bills just before bed time.

It’s best to wind down, if you can, and this will help you and your baby sleep a little better when you are relaxed.

I can also recommend the audio relaxation options on Positive Relaxation as a website to look at for relaxing audio material.

There are links to sites where relaxing music, including the baroque styles are available, many of the programmes which can also be listened to at night , or during your sleeping times.

Your Exercise Maintenance

Very importantly, part of the overall well being equation is your regular exercise regimen.

This does not need to be a terrifying experience, and in fact, should be a gentle start to your regimen, as you have just come home from the hospital…

A beneficial way to stay in shape is to start off by taking the bay for pram or stroller rides, generally starting off at first with short walks from about 10 minutes in length, and slowly working your way up.

This is beneficial for you, as well as interesting for baby.

As always, if you have any doubt, I recommend you consult with your doctor first, and start slowly.

Listen to your body, and rather take it slowly, and surely, as a safety.

However, I think it is generally a good idea to exercise. You’ll feel better, you’ll regain your shape sooner, and you’ll have more energy as a result as well.

All of the above assumes you have had a normal and healthy pregnancy.

I always recommend consulting with your doctor or health professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Yoga

Another option is iPod Yoga.

Yoga can be gentle, and I have included a link to click on below:

Click here for Yoga or for more general information, click here.

Yoga can be very relaxing for some people, but again, I always recommend checking with your medical practitioner before any exercise regime is started.

Breathing

Breathing exercises can make a lot of difference as well, and more information is available on clicking here for breathing.

The idea behind the breathing exercises is to help you feel more alert, as well as a method to relax deeply.

This is something that will come from practice, and many of these exercises can be done whilst you are doing other things.

Time management and Relaxation

I am fully aware that time management with a new baby is a complex achievement to master at first.

I wholeheartedly recommend also spending some time, even if it’s only half an hour, doing something adult, rather than kid things, to keep your mind alert on other issues other than kids.

This is in no way a method to ignore the needs of your baby, but simply a way to balance up everything.

I realise this may seem complex, but with patience, you’ll work out a routine that works for you.

I also recommend networking with other mother’s to share experiences and create a network for child minding periodically as well.

This way, you’ll establish routines where you can maybe go out one night a fortnight for quiet ‘me’ time

Essentially, you’ll be juggling many new tasks, and activities, but with time, patience, and an understanding attitude towards yourself, you’ll develop your skills, and relax more, whilst enjoying the experience of motherhood.

Specific Relaxation - You Owe it to Yourself!

As you have already read elsewhere on this site, relaxation is very important, for both your health, your wellbeing, and your ability to cope with everything that may come your way.

This can be enhanced through many different avenues, weather thaty may be in the form of exercise, Tai Chi, relaxational audio, time out with a good book, or even working on a project or hobby.

The list is really nearly endless, limited only by your imagination.

I can wholeheartedly recommend the resources at Positive Relaxation.Com where there are numerous links and pages to relaxation in many different formats.

I realise too, that for some of you, all this may seem very new.

Do your best to remember that your experiences are changing, and by working with them, rather than fighting them, can make a big doifference to your outcomes.

I know you will succeed, relax, and feel better than you ever have before.

It is simply an acceptance of a new situation, and a realisation that you now are part of, and caregiver to a bigger family unit.

The rewards are great, and can even, when the children are older, include them in the overall relaxation experience.

Click below for a link to Positive relaxation.

Methods of Relaxation, and Resources

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