Every new mother presumably wonders what to expect of parenthood. Babies don’t come out of the womb bearing an instruction manual—although, it certainly would be nice if they did. You don’t have to fall victim to neglecting your own needs; taking care of yourself is part of parenting.
Sustaining good health will help you in the midst of sleepless nights, body aches, and all of the anxiety that comes with strangers touching your baby (or baby bump!) every time you venture outside of your house. While reading this list of five things every new mom should know, you may find answers to the questions you’ve been ruminating on.
Daily Women’s Vitamins
A vitamin a day keeps the doctor away. Isn’t that how the saying goes? No, but it really should. Remembering to take your daily womens vitamins is necessary, as it assures that you’re in tip-top shape for the dreaded (yet adorable) dead of night wake-ups with your newborn.
Daily GEM vitamins are incomparable to your local drug store’s variety; they are the best of the best and made exclusively for women. “They are formulated to provide the essential nutrients women need most for everyday wellbeing and stress relief,†according to their website. Their monthly subscription service guarantees that they’ll be delivered to your door before you run out.
They sell three different flavors: lemon, peppermint, and cacao. You’ll be sure to find one that satisfies your palate. They are vegan, soy and gluten-free, and made in the US. A few of the natural ingredients and essentials they’re made with are pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, Ashwagandha, magnesium, iron, omega-3, and vitamin B12. New moms will love the flavor profiles and wide-range of ingredients within these delectable bite-sized vitamins.
Perusing Motherhood Websites
You’ve likely scoured the internet for reputable sites for pregnant women and new mothers. Truly Mama is a trustworthy community-style website that offers advice, honest product reviews, and guidance. Whether you just gave birth or are still expecting, they have you covered from the first trimester until your baby’s first birthday.
Everything they share is written by moms, for moms. You know what your baby needs best, but their collection of information will help you in a myriad of ways. Truly Mama states, “we think motherhood is more rewarding when we realize we’re not in this alone.†And isn’t that the truth!
Live in the Moment
You are granted permission to live in the now for the first time ever. Say your goodbyes to worrying about dirty dishes in the sink, trails of socks leading to your bedroom, and piles of laundry heaped up by the washing machine.
Household chores are no longer ranked as number one on your to-do list because savoring each milestone with your mini-me trumps all of that. You’ll ascertain the skills to not regret the past or fear the future. You’ll learn not to sweat the small stuff once you let go of everything, aside from this precise moment in time.
Baby Clothes
As a new or expectant mother, you will likely experience excitement while walking down the aisles of a children’s clothing store. You may feel a tad overwhelmed, though. We want to assure you, that this is completely normal. It can be difficult to leave the store without breaking the bank when there are so many teeny tiny adorable onesies, dresses, headbands, shoes, knee-high ruffle socks, sunglasses, and baby galore.
The general rule of thumb is to never buy an abundance of newborn-sized clothing. Your little one will outgrow that size and you’ll be left with brand new clothes that no longer fit the baby. A wise choice would be to buy less than you think you’ll need. Worst case, you get to go back to the pastel-colored boutique and buy more—you’ll love going shopping again, anyway!
A side note: Babies tend to find onesies cozier than two pieces. The snap buttons at the bottom make diaper changes a breeze. Also, always wash new baby clothes before use, as some brands contain chemicals such as formaldehyde.
Be Kind to Yourself
So much of parenting is trial and error. Forgive yourself for any small mistakes you feel you have made. The explosive, powerful love you are likely experiencing right now for your baby is wonderful, isn’t it? Your mama bear instincts are kicking in. Therefore, you’re always making sure the baby is safe, clean, and happy. There’s one thing you may have forgotten to take care of—yourself.
Sleep when your baby sleeps, even if that means daytime hours. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not drowning in fatigue. Set time aside to enjoy a luxurious bubble bath or snuggle up under a warm blanket to read a captivating novel. You and your child will be happier all around if you’re able to engage in hobbies you enjoyed before pregnancy. If your family, partner, or friends are available to help out, take advantage of their offer.
Throw on some gardening gloves and bury the wildflower seeds you’ve been meaning to plant. Set aside 45 minutes for yoga or cardio online tutorials. Watch your favorite movie and eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Take care of yourself, be kind to yourself. You carried your baby for nine months and now you deserve some time to kick your feet up and relax. You got this, Mama, don’t worry.
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