Self-care Strategies

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We know that being a mom, or dad, can be overwhelming.  Below are helpful tips to help guide you in the early months.

Self-care strategies for the early weeks

• Accept all offers for food and help
• Set boundaries (say no or limit visitors)
• Ask for help with laundry, groceries, watching the baby
• Take a bath or long shower
• Take a nap (or 3!) or simply just rest if you can’t sleep
• Eat regularly, eat enough and take a vitamin
• Get outside, take a walk or just sit
• Use grocery delivery or prepared meal services
• Get out & meet other parents with babies the same age
• Have someone take the baby out so you can rest
• Keep your sense of humor, laugh!
• Turn off the phone, turn on the music
• Hire a post-partum doula
• Take 15 minutes a day for yourself
• Begin building a support system for yourself & your family

Self-care strategies for later on

• Resist the urge to deal with household tasks during “your” time
• Swap childcare with a friend for a couple of hours
• Get rid of things that drain your energy, like household clutter
• Hire a mother’s helper or cleaning person
• Plan meals monthly, swap meals, go to meal-making places
• Start your day a little earlier for some quiet time alone
• Exercise as a family, go for a walk outdoors
• While the baby is napping, do an exercise or yoga video
• Give yourself time to adjust to staying home or returning to work
• Be gentle with yourself if you are struggling
• Avoid the “comparison trap” as every baby is unique and different
• Make time for things you enjoy doing
• Learn new ways to manage the stress of motherhood