What's the best Mother's Day gift for a new mom? Self-care.
"If your mind and body are not working, nothing else is working either," says Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics & gynecology at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. "Don't try to be superhuman. It's okay to ask for-and accept-help."
Here are the three most important things you can do for yourself and your baby:
1. Guard your sleep.
If nothing else, sleep when your baby sleeps. The ability to function depends on sleep.
2. Connect with others.
Time with other people can help you make sure your needs are being met and can help you navigate this new situation by learning from the experiences of others.
3. Don't forget about yourself.
Eat well, go outside, breathe in fresh air, sleep (see tip #1), and socialize (tip #2). These things will help you feel better overall. Focusing on the baby is appropriate, but taking care of yourself is vital for your own future.
Bonus tip: Let people in your life help with the baby and you.
References
Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, is the Richard U. and Ellen J. Levine Assistant Professor of Women's Health (in Obstetrics and Gynecology) and director of Integrated Women's Health at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
