Hey mama, youâve heard it a hundred times: baby safety is the number one priority. Whether itâs installing car seats or baby-proofing your house, keeping your little one safe is all-consuming. But letâs get real for a secondâwhat about you? How are you doing?
After Emma was born, I got so caught up in making sure everything was perfect for her that I totally forgot about me. No one tells you how overwhelming those first few months can be. Youâre balancing late nights, endless feeding sessions, and barely a moment to breathe. Itâs easy to feel like youâve lost yourself in the chaos.
But hereâs the thing: your health matters too. If youâre not taking care of yourself, you canât be the best mom for your baby. Thatâs why, in honour of Baby Safety Month, Iâm flipping the script a littleâhere are four self-care tips that helped me get through those crazy newborn days. Trust me, you deserve this.
1. Hydrate Like Itâs Your Lifeline
I know, it sounds simple. But girl, itâs way too easy to forget to drink water when youâre bouncing between feeding sessions and diaper changes. Whether youâre breastfeeding or not, dehydration makes you sluggish, and the last thing you need is to feel even more exhausted. I used to keep a water bottle at my bedside, in the kitchen, and even in the nurseryâbecause when youâre running on three hours of sleep, sometimes you need a reminder to hydrate. Sip throughout the day, and youâll notice the difference in your energy and mood.
2. RestâWhenever You Can
âSleep when the baby sleeps.â Yeah, easier said than done, right? The laundry is piling up, dishes are in the sink, and you feel like youâre playing catch-up. But hereâs a secret: the laundry can wait, but your mental and physical well-being canât. Even if you canât sleep, just resting your bodyâlying down, putting your feet up, closing your eyes for a few minutesâcan recharge you more than you think. And when youâre well-rested, youâre more present for your baby, and you can enjoy those little moments so much more.
3. Ditch the âSupermomâ Myth
Iâll be honestâI fell into the âsupermomâ trap. I thought I had to do it all. Be everything to everyone. But trying to juggle all the balls in the air just left me feeling drained and burnt out. It took me a while to realize this, but: itâs okay to ask for help. Your partner, family, friendsâthey want to support you. Let them. Delegate what you can and focus on what really mattersâyour baby and your mental health. You donât have to do it all, mama.
4. Lean Into Your Community
Motherhood can feel lonely, even when youâre surrounded by people. But trust me, youâre not alone. Whether itâs connecting with other moms in person or finding a supportive online group, having a community makes a huge difference. I canât tell you how many times just venting to another mom who gets it has saved my sanity. When I was feeling overwhelmed, knowing that someone else was experiencing the same struggles made all the difference. Donât be afraid to reach outâthereâs power in knowing weâre all in this together.
In Baby Safety Month, weâre reminded to keep our babies safe. But mama, youâre part of that equation too. When you take care of yourself, youâre better equipped to take care of your little one. So, drink that water, rest when you can, and ditch the guilt. Youâre doing an amazing job, and you deserve to feel good too.
