7 Ways to Find Time for Yourself as a New Mother

This post How To Find Time for Yourself as a New Mother first appeared on igbocurls.com

I literally just tip-toed my way out of my babies room.

He is fast asleep and I have approximately 30 minutes to edit and publish this post before he gets up.

The photo above is from my first birthday as a New Mum and I was so excited that I couldn’t wait for anyone to celebrate me so I celebrated myself!

As a matter of fact, as I type this, my head feels like it is about to burst due to the many deadlines I have made for myself and missed! 😭 

*Breathe* Inhale, Exhale.

Is it still possible to still be hormonal at the stage of Motherhood?

Hmm… (Let me quickly check BabyCenter)

Anyway!

Nothing prepares you for MotherHood, the Joys and Challenges.

It is NOT easy.

So the next time you see a fellow mother out there, compliment and encourage her.

We certainly need the support.

I turned a year older on the 17th of July and I cannot thank God enough for keeping me alive and allowing me to see another year. 

This past year has been full of so many new experiences that range from pregnancy to labour to having my baby. (You can read about my journey here).

Now, I am watching my baby babble, grow teeth, roll, sit up and learn to walk! 

Oh the joy!

I can’t explain it. 

In the midst of taking care of a new fragile human being, it is possible to completely forget about yourself. 

To be honest all I think of these days is ‘my baby, my baby, my baby’.

Even after I have put him to sleep to get work done. 

Has he woken up yet? What kind of food can I have him try when he wakes up? Will he notice I have left the room? Is he feeling okay? The list goes on.

So, how do I make time for myself?

Oh Yay! (My head has stopped hurting. Sigh, the therapeutic effect of writing).

7 Ways to Make Time for Yourself and LOOK GOOD as a New Mother.

Making time for yourself requires a lot of self discipline. As I mentioned earlier, this Motherhood business is NOT easy (especially when you have to do it alone). 

1. Plan your day

You consciously have to plan your day. Always plan your day the night before so your brain can work on solutions while you sleep. You can find proof that this method works. like a charm from one of my favourite authors Brian Tracy. 

2. Have a Routine for Your Baby

If your baby does not have a predictable routine, everyday will be an unpredictable day and that is terrible if you need to get work done. BabyCenter recommends this a lot. 

3. Maximise Sleep Time

Whenever your little one is asleep, try to catch up on what you can. It is tempting to sleep while your little one does but when they wake up, it is harder to get much done. However, this advice is not for mothers with babies under 6weeks to 3 months. Your body needs to rest in other to recover properly.

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4. Get Help from People You Trust

This could range from family members to hiring a nanny that comes highly recommended. You don’t want dangerous  or wicked people around your baby.

5. Plan what Your baby will eat in Advance

If you have already started your baby on solids, then it is always best to plan what they need to eat in advance. I find this chart from BabyCenter and MomJunction particularly helpful. You can always tailor their meals to similar food items in your locality.

6. Engage in Uplifting Activities

Engage in activities that make you happy and improve your mood. If you like to listen to music, read books or dance, add it to your daily schedule. I like to sing and listen to Joel Osteen Podcasts. He and Victoria always know what to say to lift my spirits. I believe practising this tip has really helped me avoid postpartum depression so far. Remember happy mom, happier baby.

7. Invest in a comfortable carrier

If all the above fail, and your baby is extra clingy, put your little on in a carrier. This way, you and your baby are connected and your hands and legs are free to do other things. This one from Amazon is my favourite. I was able to carry my son with it till he hit 8 kilograms. Right now, I just use a wrapper (African style) to carry him on my back and it works like a charm, every time. 

If you need more recommendations on what to buy that would be useful for you and your little one, be sure to visit my Idea List storefront on Amazon.

I hope this helps some new mothers and even old ones too! Please share your tips below, you never know who you are helping!