The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, nor do I have any official relationship with them. I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.
So you are a new mom. You probably know all of the things that you need to do to keep your new baby healthy, but what about yourself? In the chaos surrounding the birth of a new baby, moms often forget to take care of themselves. The thing is, if you don’t take care of yourself properly, you won’t be able to take care of your baby properly.
This is why I put together this list of eight ways that new moms can stay healthy.
1. Drink plenty of water.
Drinking water is important even when you aren’t a new mom, but when you have just had a baby it is even more important. New moms are often so busy that they forget to drink which can lead to dizziness and headaches. To remedy this, always keep a water bottle handy.
2. Make sure you get enough to eat.
When you are trying to balance a new baby, sleeplessness, and housework it is easy to not easy as healthy as you should — or forget to eat at all. Make sure you are getting at least three meals a day, and snacks in between. If you are breastfeeding you need to be eating an extra 400-500 calories on top of what you would eat before you were pregnant.
3. Get enough sleep.
This may seem like a tall order, but be sure to get enough sleep. Don’t feel guilty if you also lay down for a nap when your little one is sleeping. Don’t worry about housekeeping, just “sleep when the baby sleeps”.
4. Remember to take your vitamins.
When you were pregnant you more than likely took prenatal vitamins everyday. Now that you have had your baby, try to keep up that habit. If you are breastfeeding it is especially important to continue taking your prenatals so your baby can also benefit from all of the good vitamins and minerals. Even if you aren’t breastfeeding, continuing to take a multivitamin can help fill in any nutritional gaps you may have.
5. Manage your stress.
Dealing with a newborn can be stressful — very stressful. Be sure to take some time to relax. This could mean taking a relaxing bath, going for a walk, or doing some yoga. Don’t feel bad having your partner watch the baby for a while while you take some you time.
6. Ask for help if you need it.
Many new moms experience postpartum depression (I was one of them). If you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious ask for help. This doesn’t make you a bad mom or crazy or any of those other ridiculous stereotypes. In fact, asking for help makes you a good mom. There is no reason that you should have to suffer alone.
7. Get up to date on vaccinations.
This is another thing that many new moms don’t think about. We think that since we were vaccinated as children that we are good. Wrong. Many vaccines need boosters. These vaccines will not only protect you, but also your new baby. Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, has been making a comeback recently and it can potentially be deadly to an infant. Make sure that you, and any other adults that will be around your baby get their TDAP booster.
For more tips on staying healthy, visit the Molina Healthcare website, which has a whole library of ways to live healthy and stay healthy.
What health tips would you give a new mom?
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