6 New Mom Tips to Help You Keep Your Sanity

It is 2:00am and your baby is up, wide awake, and wants to play. Your heart is full of love, but your body cannot keep up! What a precious gift you have been given, but what you would not give at times for a few minutes of rest.

Being a new mom is the most rewarding job in the world and the most exhausting job in the world, all at the very same time. In order to be the best mom you can be to your new little one, you must take care of yourself.

Here are 6 tips to help you new moms keep your sanity:

1. Sleep. All the baby books you have read say this, but let me reemphasize, you need to rest when your baby is resting. Not only will you feel recharged, but taking care of yourself will help you take better care of your baby. Plus, you will have an easier time accomplishing anything if you are not a zombie.
2. Take care of you. This is in addition to getting sleep whenever possible. Schedule time for yourself daily. This may include getting a shower, going for a walk, meditating, or just reading some of your favorite book. It is extremely important to not forget yourself during this time, difficult as that may sound, you will feel stronger and more ready to take on anything if you are taking care of yourself.
3. Plan your meals. You must plan ahead what you are going to eat. We tend to make quick (often poor) decisions on meals when we leave that decision until the last minute. Prep salads, veggies, fruits ahead of time for a quick snack. Make larger quantities of meals you enjoy and freeze them.
4. Baskets, baskets and more baskets. A basket can look glamorous while also being a great way to gather things like, books, toys and baby bedding. Putting a “catch-all” basket in a high traffic area of the house can be a great tool to catch items that belong elsewhere. Rather than return each item one at a time, you can gather all the items and return them in the same trip.
5. Feeding station. My definition of a “feeding station” is the place where you most that you will need/want during the time you will be feeding your child. Possible things to make sure are in the area: burp rag, feeding pillow, glass of water, good book/magazine, phone, blanket, etc. It is basically a collection of things that will help make you and baby more comfortable during this time.
6. Write it down. Any thoughts, ideas, dreams that cross your mind, write them down. We are so focused on our little one that the great thought we have one minute will quickly disappear and quite possibly not return. Many call this “Mommy Brain”.

Make sure to keep things simple; simple meals, simple days, and simple expectations. Enjoy every second, even the ones where you can barely keep your eyes open!