You had a baby. Big deal. But, the changes to your body that occur after having children are more than just physical. Depending on your personal situation, you may experience changes to your mental and emotional health, as well as your social life.
While it’s great to want to be able to share your experiences as a parent with your friends, family members, and even co-workers, it’s not always easy to do. Having a baby can affect your body image and make you feel less of yourself. If you’re not used to being a parent yet, it can be difficult to navigate these new parental responsibilities, while also trying to manage your weight. So let’s not forget about the changes that pregnancy and motherhood can bring, as well as how to deal with them.
Prioritise Your Health Above All Else
It’s natural to want to be able to share your experiences as a parent with your friends, family, and even co-workers, but that doesn’t mean that your health isn’t important. Your health should be your top priority, especially now that you’re mother. A healthy you is a happy you, and vice versa. So make sure that you’re taking care of your mental and physical health, as well as your social life. That means checking in with your doctor at least once a week, going for walks, and making healthier food choices. Eat the right food, get plenty of sleep, and make sure to maintain a healthy weight. All of these things will help you to stay happy and comfortable in your new role as a parent.
Don’t Be Fooled By Instagram Posts
We’ve all heard of celebrities being famous because of their incredible looks or famous personalities, but that isn’t always the case. Plenty of times, a celebrity’s fame stems from their posts on social media. This is especially true when it comes to moms because so many of them take advantage of Instagram’s popularity, using the app to show off their amazing bodies and glamorous lifestyles. While it’s great to want to be able to post about your experiences as a parent, it’s important to remember that not all Instagrammers are created equal. Watch what you’re scrolling on, and make sure that you don’t get tricked into thinking that everything is perfect. There is no perfect parent, perfect child, perfect house, or perfect everything. Life is not perfect, and that’s what makes it beautiful.
Reduce Distractions
The fewer the distractions, the more time you’ll have for yourself. After your baby has been born, your life will be filled with new responsibilities, so it’s important to set some time aside just for you, to reestablish some balance. This means cancelling plans with your friends, family, and even colleagues, so that you can focus on taking care of your baby. It can be helpful to hire a babysitter or nanny to take care of your child for a few hours so that you can get some needed rest. Even during nap times, try to lower the volume on your phone, watch TV, or listen to music, so that you can block out distractions and focus on your baby.
Take Advantage Of Naptime
Naptime is another important timeslot for parents. During those hours, your baby doesn’t need anybody, not even their parents. So you can use that time to get some needed rest, catch up on your favorite TV show, or simply put your feet up and lounge with your baby. It’s important to make the most of these times, because when you’re with your baby while they’re sleeping, they’re completely vulnerable and defenseless. This is a time when you can help them get to sleep, take them to the park, or simply hold them while they cry. These are things that you can do that their parents cannot, so take advantage of that fact, and don’t feel bad about it. Just make sure to be careful not to overuse this time period, as it can become addicting and eventually harmful to your baby’s development.
Adjust Your Feeding Schedule
When you’re nursing your baby, you’ll mostly feed them during the day because that’s when their little stomachs are the most empty. However, as your baby gets older, they’ll want to eat more frequently, so you’ll need to adjust your feeding schedule accordingly. One way to do this is to feed them during the night, when their stomachs are already full. This will help establish consistent sleep schedules for both of you, and it’ll give you more time to get things done during the day. It’s also important to make sure that your baby is getting the right nutrition, so take time out of your day to cook healthier meals for them. If you’re not used to being a parent, it can be difficult to know what foods are best for your baby. However, there are certain foods that are generally considered to be healthier than others, so you can look up food recommendations for your specific baby. As a general rule of thumb, stick to fruits and vegetables, and avoid foods with added sugar or salt. Also, make sure that your baby’s diet includes foods from all five food groups (i.e., fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins, and dairy). This will help ensure that they get all of the nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong.
You’re a parent. A big deal. The changes to your body that occur after having children are more than just physical. Depending on your personal situation, you may experience changes to your mental and emotional health, as well as your social life. While it’s great to want to be able to share your experiences as a parent with your friends, family members, and even co-workers, it’s not always easy to do. Having a baby can affect your body image and make you feel less of yourself. If you’re not used to being a parent yet, it can be difficult to navigate these new parental responsibilities, while also trying to manage your weight. So let’s not forget about the changes that pregnancy and motherhood can bring, as well as how to deal with them.