Having a baby is a life-changing experience, whether it’s your first child or your fifth. The first few months are a tough transition for many working moms, having to swap a nine-to-five routine at the office for the never-ending days and sleepless nights of caring for a newborn. No matter how long or short your maternity leave, it’s essential to take some time for yourself during this stressful time. By looking and feeling your best, you can improve the experience of parenthood. Here’s a must-have guide for every working mother.
1. Take advantage of extra help. According to certified nurse midwife Mary Murry of Mayo Clinic, it’s very important for new moms to accept help when it’s offered. Whether it’s a neighbor, sister-in-law or close friend, those who care about you are happy to lend a hand to help you adjust to motherhood. So, don’t hesitate to let someone watch your little one so you can sneak to the spa for a quick mani or pedi – or even a must-needed haircut.
2. Set up a babysitting swap. After the first few months, you might find that extra help and spare time are a little harder to come by as you settle into a routine and maybe even go back to work. Still, it’s essential to set aside some “me” time. Consider enlisting a few other moms to set up a babysitting swap where, on a few afternoons each month, you take turns caring for each other’s little ones while one lucky mom goes to the salon or spa. With the money you’ll save on a babysitter, you can splurge on an extra treatment or two!
3. Pamper during naptime. Moms – especially working moms – feel pressured to prioritize housework during the precious moments when babies are napping. Instead, let yourself put the housework aside once a week or so and use naptime to enjoy a soothing bath, at-home pedi – or even just some beauty rest. For bath time, simply draw some steamy water in the tub, and add some aromatherapy to improve your mood. Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath and Shower Oil Collection is ideal as it includes scents to boost every frame of mind including Relax Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil to encourage sleep and rest and Support Equilibrium Bath and Shower Oil to balance out uneven moods.
4. Take advantage of the sleepy newborn stage. For the first few months, your baby will eat, sleep and repeat. In fact, according to online family health resource Kids Health, it’s not uncommon for newborns to sleep more than 16 hours a day!
Once you get a good sense of your baby’s schedule, don’t hesitate to pencil in a little spa visit during one of his or her many daytime naps in the stroller. Experienced moms say that this stage is actually the easiest to take baby out to the salon or on a long-awaited trip to the mall, since they spend so much time asleep. And, you may even be lucky enough to have a spa that offers on-site childcare nearby. This service is still rare, but it’s a growing trend to help accommodate post-natal pampering for new moms. Just remember to arm yourself with a bottle (if you no longer breastfeed), some extra diapers and the mindset for relaxation.
5. Put on a little bit of makeup – every day. Being sleep-deprived means that priorities change. But taking a little effort to put on a dab of foundation or your favorite lip-gloss can do wonders for how you feel – especially when unexpected company drops by. And don’t be afraid to downsize from the makeup regimen you may normally wear to work or when going out on errands. Stick with the basics – a foundation or tinted moisturizer, a bit of mascara and gloss is really all you need to look and feel a bit more put together.
6. Sign up for baby and me yoga classes. Getting active as soon as the doctor allows is a great way to boost energy and get out of the house. If you don’t have someone to watch the baby while you hit the gym, consider signing up for a baby and me yoga class so you can take your little one with you. This is also a great way to bond with your bambino while meeting other new moms. Or join a gym that offers drop-in child care services for a small hourly fee; many accept infants as young as six weeks old.
7. Hire a doula. A doula is a certified, experienced individual who helps assist moms before, during and after childbirth. For a reasonable price, you can hire a postpartum doula to come to the house to help you adjust to living with a newborn, assisting with feeding and caring for the baby, as well as light household work. In addition, doulas can be a valuable source of information when it comes to tips for caring for yourself during this transitional time, offering insight on how to maintain balance in your moods, eat healthy and survive the newborn stage. Working with a doula can help you get into a good routine and enjoy life as a new mommy.
8. Boost your body – no exercise required. It’s recommended that new moms take it easy following birth – and it’s generally recommended to wait six weeks before resuming a workout regimen.
Even after you’re cleared to resume your active lifestyle, you may feel so sleep-deprived that hitting the gym is the last priority on your to-do list. But don’t let that stop you from getting your body back to where you want it to be. While breastfeeding can help jumpstart weight loss naturally following childbirth, enlist the help of some special products designed to help tone and retexture skin following childbirth. Treat yourself to the Belli Body Bounce Back Kit which includes the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream, clinically proven to reduce the appearance of stretchmarks, and the Body Firming Serum to help restore and tone the stomach, breasts and other areas needing a lift.
9. Focus on simple pleasures. In the few months after becoming a new mommy, take advantage of the time you get away from work. You’ll be busier than ever with around-the-clock feedings and diaper changes, and chances are, the idea of pampering may sound exhausting in itself. Instead, keep a few of your favorite products – think lotions, candles and body sprays – close at hand so you can benefit from on-the-spot and effortless aromatherapy. NEST Fragrances Votive Gift Set boasts six soothing aromas ranging from energizing grapefruit to soothing Moroccan amber to satisfy your ever-changing moods.
10. Sleep! One of the most common pieces of advice given to new mothers is to sleep when baby sleeps. Enlist the help of family members or friends for the must-do household chores – and never forget that it’s completely okay to let the dust gather a bit or the dishes pile up during the first few months after bringing home your bundle of joy. When it comes to looking and feeling beautiful, sleep is often the biggest factor. The more sleep you have, the better you will look and feel – and the more likely you’ll have energy to put toward nurturing your newborn – and yourself – before going back to work.
As a new mom, your number one priority is to make sure your baby is nurtured and well taken care of. Taking a bit of time to pamper and prioritize the way you look isn’t selfish. To the contrary, taking care of yourself can make you feel better, boosting your well-being so you can be the best parent possible.
1. Take advantage of extra help. According to certified nurse midwife Mary Murry of Mayo Clinic, it’s very important for new moms to accept help when it’s offered. Whether it’s a neighbor, sister-in-law or close friend, those who care about you are happy to lend a hand to help you adjust to motherhood. So, don’t hesitate to let someone watch your little one so you can sneak to the spa for a quick mani or pedi – or even a must-needed haircut.
2. Set up a babysitting swap. After the first few months, you might find that extra help and spare time are a little harder to come by as you settle into a routine and maybe even go back to work. Still, it’s essential to set aside some “me” time. Consider enlisting a few other moms to set up a babysitting swap where, on a few afternoons each month, you take turns caring for each other’s little ones while one lucky mom goes to the salon or spa. With the money you’ll save on a babysitter, you can splurge on an extra treatment or two!
3. Pamper during naptime. Moms – especially working moms – feel pressured to prioritize housework during the precious moments when babies are napping. Instead, let yourself put the housework aside once a week or so and use naptime to enjoy a soothing bath, at-home pedi – or even just some beauty rest. For bath time, simply draw some steamy water in the tub, and add some aromatherapy to improve your mood. Aromatherapy Associates Miniature Bath and Shower Oil Collection is ideal as it includes scents to boost every frame of mind including Relax Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil to encourage sleep and rest and Support Equilibrium Bath and Shower Oil to balance out uneven moods.
4. Take advantage of the sleepy newborn stage. For the first few months, your baby will eat, sleep and repeat. In fact, according to online family health resource Kids Health, it’s not uncommon for newborns to sleep more than 16 hours a day!
Once you get a good sense of your baby’s schedule, don’t hesitate to pencil in a little spa visit during one of his or her many daytime naps in the stroller. Experienced moms say that this stage is actually the easiest to take baby out to the salon or on a long-awaited trip to the mall, since they spend so much time asleep. And, you may even be lucky enough to have a spa that offers on-site childcare nearby. This service is still rare, but it’s a growing trend to help accommodate post-natal pampering for new moms. Just remember to arm yourself with a bottle (if you no longer breastfeed), some extra diapers and the mindset for relaxation.
5. Put on a little bit of makeup – every day. Being sleep-deprived means that priorities change. But taking a little effort to put on a dab of foundation or your favorite lip-gloss can do wonders for how you feel – especially when unexpected company drops by. And don’t be afraid to downsize from the makeup regimen you may normally wear to work or when going out on errands. Stick with the basics – a foundation or tinted moisturizer, a bit of mascara and gloss is really all you need to look and feel a bit more put together.
6. Sign up for baby and me yoga classes. Getting active as soon as the doctor allows is a great way to boost energy and get out of the house. If you don’t have someone to watch the baby while you hit the gym, consider signing up for a baby and me yoga class so you can take your little one with you. This is also a great way to bond with your bambino while meeting other new moms. Or join a gym that offers drop-in child care services for a small hourly fee; many accept infants as young as six weeks old.
7. Hire a doula. A doula is a certified, experienced individual who helps assist moms before, during and after childbirth. For a reasonable price, you can hire a postpartum doula to come to the house to help you adjust to living with a newborn, assisting with feeding and caring for the baby, as well as light household work. In addition, doulas can be a valuable source of information when it comes to tips for caring for yourself during this transitional time, offering insight on how to maintain balance in your moods, eat healthy and survive the newborn stage. Working with a doula can help you get into a good routine and enjoy life as a new mommy.
8. Boost your body – no exercise required. It’s recommended that new moms take it easy following birth – and it’s generally recommended to wait six weeks before resuming a workout regimen.
Even after you’re cleared to resume your active lifestyle, you may feel so sleep-deprived that hitting the gym is the last priority on your to-do list. But don’t let that stop you from getting your body back to where you want it to be. While breastfeeding can help jumpstart weight loss naturally following childbirth, enlist the help of some special products designed to help tone and retexture skin following childbirth. Treat yourself to the Belli Body Bounce Back Kit which includes the Stretchmark Minimizing Cream, clinically proven to reduce the appearance of stretchmarks, and the Body Firming Serum to help restore and tone the stomach, breasts and other areas needing a lift.
9. Focus on simple pleasures. In the few months after becoming a new mommy, take advantage of the time you get away from work. You’ll be busier than ever with around-the-clock feedings and diaper changes, and chances are, the idea of pampering may sound exhausting in itself. Instead, keep a few of your favorite products – think lotions, candles and body sprays – close at hand so you can benefit from on-the-spot and effortless aromatherapy. NEST Fragrances Votive Gift Set boasts six soothing aromas ranging from energizing grapefruit to soothing Moroccan amber to satisfy your ever-changing moods.
10. Sleep! One of the most common pieces of advice given to new mothers is to sleep when baby sleeps. Enlist the help of family members or friends for the must-do household chores – and never forget that it’s completely okay to let the dust gather a bit or the dishes pile up during the first few months after bringing home your bundle of joy. When it comes to looking and feeling beautiful, sleep is often the biggest factor. The more sleep you have, the better you will look and feel – and the more likely you’ll have energy to put toward nurturing your newborn – and yourself – before going back to work.
As a new mom, your number one priority is to make sure your baby is nurtured and well taken care of. Taking a bit of time to pamper and prioritize the way you look isn’t selfish. To the contrary, taking care of yourself can make you feel better, boosting your well-being so you can be the best parent possible.
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