When Baby's Arrived: Getting Yourself Back Again

Congratulations on your new bundle of joy; having a baby Is a magical time. However, you life gets turned upside down, and things can’t be exactly as they were before your favorite little human came along. You’re likely to be sleep deprived, stressed, worried, even if you are elated that you’ve got a new relationship with this tiny person; so it can feel challenging to focus on yourself and regain your inner confidence once again. However your little one came into the world, the challenges you face will be the same as every other parent; therefore, you can take comfort that you’re not alone. The following are some things to consider if you could use a helping hand to feel like yourself again after your baby; being a parent can be amazing, but that’s not just all you are.

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Gaining Strength

Whether you’ve grown a human being inside your body for about nine months, had the help of a surrogate to bring your baby into the world, or have adopted your little one; the experience will have taken its toll on your body and mind. You’ll need as much stamina back as possible now you’re a mum; they will certainly be keeping you on your toes, so you’ll need to find a balance between looking after your child and be kind and taking care of yourself. You can start with your meals; it’s always a great idea to get as many meals cooked and popped in the freezer before baby arrives so that you and the family have something to heat up that will fill you up with nutrition.

Stock up on nuts, pulses, and seeds so that there’s plenty of protein in the kitchen and you can grab a handful should you get peckish (and you will). Of course, you’ll need a few cookies here and there, but be mindful that you’ll need to fuel your body with fresh ingredients so you can continue to power through the first challenging year or so. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many tasks; if you don’t have the time or inclination to cook something, so what? Your baby is your priority, so stop beating yourself up, you’re doing great. However, you’ll need to look after your inner health as much as possible so that you’ll have enough strength to tackle the daily grind of parenthood.

Little things, like doing your weekly food shop online when baby’s asleep, will mean you don’t have to traipse around the grocery store; many online stores also provide quick and easy meal plans and recipes, so use them for guidance and inspiration. Eating a filling and healthy breakfast will help to power you through the day and (might) assist you after the two hours of sleep you got the night before. Stock up on eggs in the fridge, oats, milk, and some fresh fruit and veg so that there’s always something to hand when you need filling up fast.

Boosting Your Self-Worth

Now that you’ve ensured that you’re eating welland gaining strength; it’s time to focus on treating yourself and giving yourself a confidence boost. The likelihood is that your body will have changed if you’ve been pregnant (no surprise there) and sometimes, this affects how you feel when you look in the mirror. Even if you haven’t given birth; a baby can sometimes affect your personal identity, as your priorities will have inevitably changed. This is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to some fresh, new clothes and give your wardrobe and yourself a new lease of life. Hop an array of online retailers and pick out a few items that will work well together and you’ll feel much better about walking out the house every day in something other than joggers or pyjamas (although, there are always legitimate reason for both of these).

Book an appointment with the hairdresser and get your haircut and maybe dyed; there’s nothing quite like the feeling of salon-fresh hair, and it will put a spring back in your step when you’re out buying nappies and baby wipes. If you enjoy freshly painted nails; book yourself a manicure and a pedicure, so you can feel put together a distract yourself from how tired you really are. If you get chance at home; paint your own nails, sit in the bath, pop a facemask on, or do all of the above; it’s about getting the positive feeling that a little pampering and a treat can bring back. Don’t keep putting yourself on the bottom of your (never-ending) list; your happiness and wellbeing are essential for a content and cared-for baby.