Caring for yourself and baby
It’s hard to practice self-care during the postpartum period. This is the time when we give everything we have to the baby, and friends and family focus attention on the baby too. But this is also a time when a parent’s needs are very important. There are two people who need care now – the baby and the new parent.
Self-care is not selfish. In fact, taking care of yourself allows you to care for your baby. You can’t give what you don’t have. Self-care helps new parents heal, remember their self-worth and set a good example for the baby.
Reflection questions
- Things I enjoy doing outdoors:
- Things I enjoy doing that involve movement:
- Things I enjoy doing that involve my support network:
- Something I can do if I only have five minutes to care for myself:
- Something I can do if I have an hour to care for myself:
- A ritual I can complete each day that makes me feel cared for:
More resources
- Self-Care for New Moms - Learn more about The 4th Trimester Project's self-care activities for body and mind during the 4th trimester.
- Healthy & Fit on the Go: Signs of Stress - Review the University of Minnesota Extension's signs of stress and 10 top stress busters in English and Somali.
- Mindfulness Exercises - Practice calming strategies from the Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health (MACMH)