Welcoming motherhood is a beautiful work of art. An incredible experience but also a lot of responsibilities, and among those responsibilities, new mothers often tend to neglect their own health. Women undergo several physical and mental changes post-pregnancy. Focusing on self-care, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting plenty of rest is necessary to rebuild strength both for the mother and the baby.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed during the first weeks as you’re learning how to care for your newborn and getting accustomed to the current unusual pattern of life. But as weeks go by, you will begin to develop a rhythm with your baby.
Here are some ways for new mothers to maintain better health:
Take Rest
- Getting a solid 8 hours of sleep is often impossible for the first few months, so adjust your sleeping schedule. Sleep when the baby sleeps, even if it’s a nap.
- Let your family or friends take care of chores and housekeeping, other than feeding your baby and taking care of your health, don’t exhaust yourself.
- Take a few minutes of walk everyday or exercise if advised by your healthcare provider.
Nutrition
Many changes occur during the stage of pregnancy and after birth, you must follow a balanced healthy diet to recover and restore your body.
- Focus on nutrient-rich foods to get the calories vitamins and minerals you need like whole grains, lean meats and proteins, green vegetables and fruits, legumes, and low-fat dairy.
- Refrain from dieting and watch your portions.
- Avoid processed and packaged junk foods.
- Drink plenty of water, keep yourself hydrated with more fluids if you’re breastfeeding. But limit your intake of caffeine.
Skincare
Lastly, if you’re concerned with stretch marks, opt for a cream or oil with an infusion of herbs like pomegranate or licorice, or you can use olive oil, almond oil, virgin coconut oil, and shea butter as well. These will help in improving skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of stretch marks slowly.
Text by: Ipsita Ghosh, IBTN9
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