Self Care for Moms
Self care for moms is so important. Sometimes when we are working so hard to take care of others, we end up ignoring our own needs.
Don’t think putting yourself last is doing a favor to others
When we do this, we can feel like we are ignoring our own needs at the service of others, and at times we are. However, ignoring your own needs can add up to making you less able to care for those around you.
Your family can end up being worse off instead of better off because of you putting yourself last. You tell yourself it’s for them that you’re not having time to take care of your own needs, but really it’s not good for anybody.
If Mama ain’t happy, Ain’t nobody happy…
Like they say, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” Take care of yourself! Your family will be better off for it.
As mothers, we are nurturers. We are feeding our children and husband, cleaning, organizing, purchasing things for the family, and so much more. We cannot neglect ourselves in the process.
Take care of your basic needs like you would for your kids
On the flip side, we also have to be careful not to be selfish. By self-care, I mean meeting your own needs through planning and consideration just as you are meeting the needs of your family. Like making sure you have sleep, food, a bath or shower, clean clothes, etc.
I do not mean excessive pampering done in spas and salons on credit cards. Not they spas aren’t okay sometimes, I just think sometimes the term self-care gets used the wrong way, so I felt the need to clarify.
Have you gotten enough sleep?
Back to what I do mean by self care. For example, you know that your children need naps as babies and a bedtime as children. They need proper sleep to be refreshed, to be healthy, to be able to learn and thrive. Do you do the same for yourself? Do you protect your own sleep by setting up yourself for success with a quiet, good place for sleep?
Are you well fed?
What about for food? Do you plan ahead to be sure you and your family have proper food and snacks so that you can be healthy and fed. If you’re not doing this, you may be cranky or quick to snap at those you love, simply because you’re hungry.
In a way, we never grow out of those basic things we think of to soothe a baby. Why is the baby crying? Is the baby hungry? Is the baby tired? We should give ourselves the same courtesy. I wonder how many moments we could be more kind if we’d just fed ourselves and slept.
Take care of yourself
My point is to take care of yourself, so that you can take care of others.
Ways to take care of yourself:
Basic Grooming/Shower
I know when you have a newborn especially, it can feel like you truly don’t have a chance to take a shower. The baby seems to always need you and when you’re a new mom, it can feel very overwhelming. Don’t neglect your need to shower or bathe though. Make a way.
You can place your baby in the crib or in a bouncer seat in the bathroom buckled in if you want it still have eyes on them while you shower, and go ahead and take your shower. You need to feel human. If you start skipping it, before you know it you’re feeling gross and it starts affecting your mood and your ability to take care of your baby as well because you’re not feeling your best. Make the shower happen. Brush your hair and teeth, and put on some clothes for the day.
Trim your nails
When you’re super busy taking care of your baby all the time and then absolutely exhausted once they’re asleep, it seems like your nails grow twice as fast. Don’t let them be all unkempt. Just grab the clippers and knock it out. You’ll fell better when you look your best. Trim baby’s nails or remind big kids to do theirs while you’re at it.
Doctor Appointments
Make sure you don’t forget to schedule your checkups for your health. Whatever that means for you may vary, but keep an eye on your health. Keep up with any appointments that you any need for checkups, dental, vision, etc. Sometimes we get so caught up with what appointments the baby has that we can forget to schedule what we need too.
Get Sleep
If you’re past that phase and just generally tired, try to establish good routines and habits. I know it’s hard to put your phone down at night, but set limits for yourself. Be your own mom in that way, and make yourself go to bed.
If you have a newborn, you may be wondering how it’s possible to get sleep. It’s definitely a challenge and you won’t always get as much as you want, but try. Be flexible with yourself about making up lost sleep. The newborn phase doesn’t last forever, and it will get better so give yourself grace if you need extra naps while baby naps etc. to make up for lost sleep at night. There is a reason people always say, “Sleep while the baby sleeps.” If that isn’t possible with older kids around, try to accept help from your husband, family, or friends sometimes to help you get a little rest, especially in the newborn phase.
Eat & Drink Water
Make sure you’re eating quality food and nourishing yourself. If you’re skipping too many meals ow surviving off of junk, it’ll catch up with you. You won’t feel your best when you’re not fueling yourself properly. Don’t forget to drink your water too!
Get Yourself Clothes that Fit
When you’re pregnant and having babies and then recovering, then doing it again, your body is up and down. It can be hard to keep your closet reflecting your needs. It’s important they you sho for clothes every season or so and get at least an outfit or two that fit properly and make you feel good in it. Your body is changing so much and you need to have clothes that fit you now and are real options to put on. Many times moms will buy so much for their kids without thinking twice and then feel guilty about getting something for themselves. If you’d say your kids need it, like a good pair of tennis shoes for example, then you do too. You’re allowed to get your own basic clothing needs met too.
Things I like for my self-care
With that in mind, I want to share a few of my favorite products/links that I enjoy. Self care for moms is important. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so make sure you keep your basic rhythms for your self in place even when you’re caring for others.
- O’Keefe’s for Healthy Feet – I like to use this on my feet after bathing/showering and then put socks on. I find it works well to do this before bed and sleep with the socks on to lock in the moisture. This process lets it have an opportunity to work while I sleep.
- Pimple Patch – somehow I came across this product and tried it to treat this under the skin bump I’d had on my face for about a year and it seemed like I would have to make a trip to the dermatologist for it, this thing got rid of it! For that one it took a few repeated uses, but it worked! For more standard bumps, it works with one use. It’s amazing! I highly recommend it.
- Loreal Eyebrow Pencil
- Boi-ing Industrial Strength concealer
- How to set your natural curl
