I have been a mom of two for almost two years and a mom for almost five years. While I am not a NEW mom per-say, I feel I can speak to how it feels to be a new mom. I wanted to share some new mom survival tips I have had to embrace and come to terms with. I think as moms we feel like asking for help is something we just can’t do. I am here to tell you, you MUST!
New Mom Survival Tips
Ask For Help: This is something I had the hardest time doing when I had my first baby. I felt like I could do it all and that’s a great way to burn yourself out. It’s OK to ask for help. If people OFFER help, take it. If someone wants to come over and let you shower, or run an errand, take them up on it. On the flip side if you have a friend or family member who has recently had a baby offer help!
Utilize Naps: This may mean taking a nap yourself, or a shower, or eating lunch, or reheating your coffee for the 4th time and just sitting in silence. For me, it depended on the day and the nap. When my kids took multiple naps I would use one to focus on house stuff and one to focus on work. Now Charlotte is home 2 days during the week and at school 3 days during the week so the days she is home I will focus on work.
Do Something For YOU each day: I remember when I was first pregnant someone saying “oh you’ll never shower every day.” I thought that was absurd! I can assure you in almost 3 years of being a mom I have showered at least once a day! I also did face masks, read, ate meals, worked out, etc. You can do things for yourself each day. You just have to decide what and when. Hence the whole thing about utilizing naps.
Put your health first: I’m sure you’ve heard that you can’t pour from an empty cup. This couldn’t be more true. You can’t. Make sure you are sleeping (when you can), eating right, exercising, taking your vitamins, drinking water. Do things to ensure your health because the last thing a new mama or any mama needs is to get sick!
Find time for your spouse: This is probably the hardest thing for me. At the end of the day we are both exhausted, and basically fall into bed and go to sleep. But find the time. Even if it’s 10-15 minutes to sit and talk or have a glass of wine together. Marriage has to come first!
If you are a new mama or a seasoned mama I would love to know what some of your new mom survival tips are. What helps you? Tell us below!
This post was originally published in 2020 but has been updated for 2021.
