Practising self-care can be challenging for many new mums, but it’s also incredibly vital. Generally, the period following childbirth is when your self-care requirements are greatest. However, it’s also the time when you cannot practice self-care as much since you’re either preoccupied with your newborn or adjusting to the significant changes in your life.
Fortunately, there are simple solutions to this problem, such as hiring a daytime confinement nanny who will help you navigate the changes in your life as a new mum. Hiring a confinement nanny allows you more time to recover from childbirth and practice self-care habits. To learn how to take good care of yourself during your confinement period, here are 5 ways to practice self-care as a new mum.
1. Get better sleep
Sleep is one of the most important aspects of self-care for any new mother. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most difficult demands to meet because babies rarely sleep through the night. This is because babies will cry, eat, urinate, and defecate several times during the night. This can make it challenging for a recovering mum to get sufficient sleep. Nonetheless, by hiring a confinement nanny, you can get adequate rest while attending to all your baby’s needs.
There are two types of confinement nannies: live-in and daytime confinement nannies. A live-in confinement nanny will undoubtedly help you sleep better at night as they will be with you 24/7. Nonetheless, a daytime nanny may be of great assistance as long as you keep your sleep schedule within your nanny’s work hours, which are usually during the day.
2. Practice good hygiene
Sometimes, new mums can get so preoccupied with changing their baby’s diapers that they forget to change their clothing. Even if your day is jam-packed with chores, cleaning oneself shouldn’t be optional. Taking care of your personal hygiene after giving birth is necessary as it will not just make you clean and fragrant but will also protect your newborn from infectious diseases.
3. Eat nutritious food
Your body requires extra nutrition to heal while it recovers from pregnancy and childbirth. As a result, you must hydrate and eat foods rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals, carbs, and healthy fats. If you don’t have time to cook or shop, you can have your confinement nanny prepare your meals. Most confinement nannies are excellent cooks who understand the types of foods that will help you recover faster.
4. Have some quiet time
Babies are noisy. They get fussy and cry practically all the time. As a new mum, you probably crave periods of silence the most. There are various opportunities during the day for you to find some peace and quiet. You most likely refuse to take one because you may believe sitting and doing nothing is unacceptable. However, your mind and body need a break from time to time. Therefore, refrain from doing anything during at least one of your newborn’s naps. Do not cook or clean. Take the time to reflect and just breathe.
5. Socialise with other adults
Because new mums are often preoccupied with caring for their newborns, they usually barely leave their homes anymore. However, even when you become a mother, you still need friends or other people to talk to. Your baby cannot be your only source of human contact. Socialising and conversing with others will help you recover faster mentally and emotionally. So, reach out to your pre-childbirth friends and keep in touch with them from time to time.
Conclusion
As a new mum, you should take care not just of your baby but of yourself, too. Sometimes, it’s not that you don’t have time for self-care; it’s just that you think it’s unimportant. However, self-care is essential for your health and that of your newborn. You can already meet all your self-care needs by simply getting enough sleep, practising good hygiene, eating nutritious food, having quiet time, and socialising with others.
If you’re looking for a reliable live-in or freelance confinement nanny in Singapore to help take good care of your baby and yourself, NannySteet is here to assist you! We are a leading confinement nanny agency that takes pride in having an innovative hiring process to assist parents in searching for the ideal nanny for their needs and preferences. To learn more about how we can help make your confinement period much more comfortable, feel free to contact us anytime.