Postnatal

Self care

The postnatal period can be an exciting yet stressful time. If you are a new mom this period might be quite an adjustment. As a second or third time mom you might be dealing with taking care of older children and feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Self care tips for moms. Rest and sleep. Rest is important for your physical health and emotional wellbeing. Your body needs rest and proper care to restore strength and energy.

• Rest as much as possible.
• Sleep when the baby sleeps.
• Accept help from others and ask for help when you need it.
• Remember, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’.
• Let unimportant household tasks wait.
• Use feeding times to rest. Put your feet up or sit in bed.
• Try not to take on extra tasks.
• Stay away from heavy exercise until six weeks after the birth.

(Best Beginnings: YHSSA Public Health, 2006).