Being a new parent is an exciting experience, but it’s also incredibly exhausting. Taking care of a newborn is not easy work. It’s normal to find that you barely have any time for yourself now, and it’s overwhelming.
But it’s possible to prioritize yourself on occasion, even as a new parent. And, in all honesty, you have to be able to carve out some space for yourself. How can you be expected to raise a child otherwise? It’s hard to find the right balance, but there are a few things you can start with while you navigate this complex adventure.
Eat Regularly
This is difficult when you have a busy schedule and are taking care of a newborn, but it’s also one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Keep yourself nourished, and drink plenty of water. Avoid skipping meals, or at least eat small snacks throughout the day if you must.
If you like cooking, you can always cook in bulk as soon as you have a quiet moment. That way all you’ll need to do for meals is reheat what you’ve already prepared. Alternatively, you can also find quick recipes to make, if cooking in bulk is not your thing.
Having a newborn can be stressful, and stress burns nutrients. Finding ways to incorporate very nutrient rich food is important. Look at money spent on quality food as an investment in yourself. You are worth it!
Take a Break
It’s hard to take breaks as a new parent, but you don’t need to save one hour of your day to yourself. That would not be practical at all. But what you can do is take a couple of minutes every now and then to just sit down and breathe. You can space these breaks out throughout your day, and it can help you return to the busy life of a newborn’s parent feeling a little calmer.
If you can find time for microbreaks throughout your day to practice breathing or doing nothing at all, you will train your brain to shut down at night when it is time to go to sleep.
Don’t Isolate Yourself
When you’re taking care of a newborn, it’s easy to lose track of time. You don’t even realize the last time you spoke to your friends and family until they text you after weeks of silence. It’s hard to find time to meet with your friends when you’re already busy taking care of a newborn. But we need community. We need to be able to connect with others and not stay isolated, no matter how busy we are.
It’s okay if you can’t find the time to hang out with your friends like you used to or visit your relatives. But you can always turn to phone calls. Maybe chat while you’re doing something mindless. A five-minute call can be enough to make you feel better for a little while.
Reach Out For Help
People say it takes a village to raise a child, and they’re not wrong. In other cultures, there seems to be much more help for postpartum mamas or parents with newborns. In Ina May Gaskin’s “Guide to Childbirth,” she writes that the incidence of Postpartum Depression (PPD) is far less in societies where there is greater social support for parents. Family and grandparents who are willing to step in and help with a newborn give parents time needed to rest, sleep, and cope with the newborn demands.
It’s likely that friends and family will be happy to help you if you ask. And why shouldn’t you ask? Raising a child is not an easy task, even with your partner’s involvement. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it.
And if you think you need to see a professional, that’s okay too. That’s what we’re here for. Counseling can help you in difficult times like these, so give it a try. We’ll help you in any way we can.
