Having a baby is a life-changing event. While you may never see your life return to your former normal, you will eventually find a new normal. During the postpartum period, many mothers have trouble finding themselves again after all of the changes. This can be an emotionally difficult thing, and has the potential to lead (or contribute) to postpartum depression. Therefore, it is important for new mamas to find ways to help them feel like themselves again.
There are a great many ways to go about this. Some are quite obvious; others are tried-and-true tips you’ve probably heard time and time again; still other tricks are less talked about, and should be made more mainstream.
Below is a list of our favorite tips for finding your new normal and re-finding yourself during the first few weeks postpartum.
Hire a Postpartum Doula or Schedule Help
Nobody is ever quite themselves if they are running on only a few hours of sleep, haven’t showered in days, and trying to do it all. Give yourself a chance to be you by bringing in a postpartum doula. The doula will help you find time to sleep, eat, and shower so you can be the best you there is for both yourself and your little one. Thrive Mama Collective is Oklahoma city's top postpartum doula agency!
Treat Yourself Right
You hear this advice all the time, and that’s because it is good advice. Therefore, we are going to repeat it here: Eat well, sleep often, stay hydrated, and take your vitamins. Feeling good and finding yourself are two things that aren’t going to happen if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
Do Something You Love
Having a baby means making a lot of sacrifices. Don’t worry though, they are all well worth it. Moreover, this fact doesn’t mean you have to give up everything you love.
If you had a hobby that you truly enjoyed before baby, make sure to pick it back up a month or two after baby arrives. While you probably won’t be able to give the hobby as much energy and attention as before, it is good to have a release and a way to express yourself.
Good activities for this include dancing, singing, painting, drawing, building, crafting, and any sort of exercise you enjoy and have been cleared to do.
Pamper Yourself
Despite your new role as mother, you do still deserve to be pampered a bit. Find some simple ways to pamper yourself and squeeze them in whenever possible. These might include a warm herbal bath or sitz bath, painting your toenails, or settling in with a good book. The pampering doesn’t need to be extravagant, just something that allows you a bit of time alone to recharge and focus on yourself.
Connect with Other Adults
Spending day after day with your new little bundle of joy is an honor, and we are sure you will feel the same. Nevertheless, there is something to be said for socializing with other adults.
As soon as you feel up to it, try to schedule a lunch date with a friend or two, or invite some friends over for dinner. This will help you feel more connected with the world, and the time spent chatting with other adults should help you adjust to your new sense of self.
Have Your Placenta Encapsulated
As mentioned before, the things you put in your body make a huge difference in the way you think and feel. Water, vitamins, and healthy foods are all good examples of feel-good fuel. Another fabulous way to use what you put in your body to your advantage is to have your placenta encapsulated. The resulting “happy pills” are an incredible way to help balance out your hormones and may leave you feeling happier and more energized than ever. We provide this service at Spirited Birth!
Having a strong sense of self is an important part of your mental health. We hope you will take it seriously in the months after your little one arrives. If at any time you feel the advice in this article is not enough, or if you have a hunch that you may be slipping into depression, please seek professional help as soon as possible. You owe it to your family, your newborn, and yourself to keep your mental health in check.