Tips For Taking Care of Yourself Postpartum

Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience, but it can also be challenging and demanding. The postpartum period is a time when mothers need to take extra care of themselves in order to heal and adjust to the new demands of parenthood. If you are a new mother, here are a few tips for taking care of yourself postpartum.

• Get enough rest: It is important to get as much rest as possible during the postpartum period! This can be challenging with a new baby, and even more so if you have other older children running around, but try to sleep when you can, and ask for help from your partner or family members with household tasks and childcare.

• Eat well: Eating well is essential for healing and for maintaining your energy levels! Try to eat a balanced diet that includes protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Avoid processed and sugary foods, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

• Exercise: We aren’t exercising to lose weight, we are exercising for sanity. Exercise can help to improve your mood, boost your energy levels, and speed up your recovery. Start slowly, with gentle exercises such as walking or prenatal/postnatal yoga, and gradually increase the intensity as you feel ready.

• Seek support: It is common for new mothers to feel overwhelmed and isolated, but it is important to seek support from loved ones and professionals. Talk to your partner, family members, and friends about how you are feeling, and consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor if you are struggling. PPD & PPA are very real and you deserve the best care you can access.

• Take time for yourself: Finally, it is important to take time for yourself and do things that you enjoy! This can be as simple as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to your favorite music. Taking time for yourself can help you to recharge and feel more like yourself. Whatever makes you tick, make sure you take the time to do that.

Taking care of yourself postpartum is essential for your physical and emotional well-being. By getting enough rest, eating well, exercising, seeking support, and taking time for yourself, you can heal and adjust to your new role as a mother.

Remember to be patient with yourself and to seek help if you need it.

5 Tips For Your Postpartum Yoga Practice

Postpartum yoga is a valuable and supportive practice for women who have recently given birth. This type of yoga can help to support the physical and emotional changes that occur during the postpartum period, and can provide a sense of grounding, connection, and well-being. Here are a few tips for starting a postpartum yoga practice.

1. Consult with your doctor: Before starting a postpartum yoga practice, it is important to consult with your doctor to ensure that yoga is safe and appropriate for your individual situation. This is especially important if you have had a c-section or if you are experiencing any complications during the postpartum period.

2. Choose a qualified instructor: Postpartum yoga is a specialized practice, and it is important to choose an instructor who is qualified and experienced in teaching yoga to postpartum women. This means looking for an instructor who has completed a postpartum yoga training program, and who has experience teaching postpartum women.

3. Listen to your body: The postpartum period is a time of many physical and emotional changes, and it is important to listen to your body and to respect your limits. This means avoiding overexertion, and avoiding postures or movements that are uncomfortable or painful. It is also important to listen to your body's signals for rest and relaxation, and to take breaks as needed.

4. Stay hydrated: The postpartum period can be dehydrating, and it is important to stay hydrated during your postpartum yoga practice. This means drinking plenty of water before, during, and after your practice, and avoiding dehydration.

5. Modify postures as needed: Postpartum yoga postures can be modified to suit a wide range of abilities and stages of postpartum. It is important to use props and modifications as needed, and to avoid forcing or straining in any posture.

In conclusion, postpartum yoga is a valuable and supportive practice for women who have recently given birth. To make the most of your postpartum yoga practice, it is important to consult with your doctor, choose a qualified instructor, listen to your body, stay hydrated, and modify postures as needed. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of postpartum yoga and support your physical and emotional well-being during this special and transformative time.

To The Mama Whose Breastfeeding Journey Ended Early

Breastfeeding is a natural and powerful way for mothers to bond with their babies and provide them with essential nutrients, but it is not always possible for every mother to continue breastfeeding for the entire recommended time. For mothers whose breastfeeding journeys have ended early, it can be a difficult and emotional experience.

I gave breastfeeding my all for a solid 3 weeks until I called it quits. I beat myself up about it for quite some time, thinking about all the coulda, shoulda, woulda’s. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say, and if I could go back and tell myself anything it’s this: Mama, it’s okay. You are enough. Not everyone has the ability, or desire, to breastfeed. It’s okay to accept yourself where you are.

Here are a few ways you can support a mama that is struggling through a difficult breastfeeding journey:

First and foremost, it is important to validate the mother's feelings. Stopping breastfeeding can be a deeply emotional experience, and it is common for mothers to feel a sense of loss, disappointment, and even failure. Let her know that her feelings are valid and that it is okay for her to grieve the end of her breastfeeding journey.

Another important way to support a mother whose breastfeeding journey has ended early is to provide her with information and resources. If the mother is feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to proceed, provide her with information about alternative feeding options and resources that can help her to make informed decisions. This can include things like information about formula feeding, bottle-feeding techniques, and the importance of proper nutrition for both the mother and the baby. If she really isn’t ready to call it quits, refer her to a lactation consultant! They are wonderful medical professionals that can help with breastfeeding issues.

In addition to providing information and resources, it is also important to offer practical support to the mother. This can include things like helping her to prepare bottles and formula, offering to hold the baby while she takes a break, or providing her with emotional support and encouragement. It can also be helpful to offer to run errands or provide other forms of practical support to make the transition to alternative feeding methods easier for the mother.

Finally, it is important to remember that every mother's breastfeeding journey is unique, and what may have worked for one mother may not work for another. Be understanding and supportive of the mother's decision, and avoid making judgments or comparisons. Don’t tell her: Well, this is what worked for me…. Instead, focus on providing the mother with the support and encouragement that she needs to navigate this difficult time.

Supporting a mother whose breastfeeding journey has ended early is a crucial and important role. We too often forget that sometimes Mamas need mothering, too. Remember to be understanding and non-judgmental, and to focus on providing the mother with the support and encouragement that she needs.

Honor the Mother You Are

As women, we are often bombarded with messages about what it means to be a "good" mother. We are told that we need to be selfless, and patient, and always put our children's needs above our own. We are expected to sacrifice our own desires and dreams in order to fulfill our roles as mothers.

But the truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all definition of what it means to be a good mother. Every woman's experience of motherhood is unique, and the way that we choose to parent our children should be based on our own values and beliefs and not on societal expectations or standards.

So how can we honor the mothers that we are, rather than trying to conform to an impossible ideal? Try these things:

• Accept yourself: One of the most important things that you can do to honor the mother that you are is to accept yourself for who you are - flaws and all. No one is perfect, and it is okay to make mistakes and have doubts. Be kind and compassionate with yourself, and remember that you are doing the best that you can with the circumstances.

• Trust yourself: As mothers, we often second-guess ourselves and seek validation from others. But the truth is that you are the expert on your own child and your own parenting style. Trust yourself and your instincts! Don't be afraid to make decisions that are best for your family, even if they are not popular or conventional.

• Prioritize self-care: As mothers, we often put our own needs last, but it is important to prioritize self-care in order to take care of ourselves and our families. This can include simple things such as: getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and taking time for ourselves. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish, it is essential.

• Embrace your own motherhood journey: Every mother's journey is different, and it is important to embrace the unique experiences and challenges that come with being a mother. Don't compare yourself to other mothers or try to fit into a mold. Instead, celebrate your own journey and the lessons that you have learned along the way.

• Let go of guilt: Guilt is a common emotion for mothers, but it is important to let go of the guilt and shame and focus on the present moment. It is okay to make mistakes and to have moments of doubt. Let go of the guilt and move forward, focusing on the love and connection that you share with your child.

• Seek support: As mothers, we often try to go it alone, but it is important to seek support from others. This can include things like asking for help from your partner, seeking advice from other mothers, or seeking professional help if you are struggling. Remember that you are not alone and that it is okay to ask for help.

Honoring the mother that you are means accepting and trusting yourself, prioritizing self-care, embracing your own journey, letting go of the guilt, and seeking support. It means recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of what it means to be a good mother! The most important thing is to be true to yourself and your own values and beliefs.

By honoring the mother that you already are, you can be the best mother that you can be for your child.

You’re doing a great job, Mama.

The Year I Started Taking Care Of Myself

I thought that in order to be a good mother, I had to deny who I truly am. I was wrong. 

And honestly, thank the Good Lord for that. Imagine for a moment how terrible the world would be if every Mom was exactly the same…Y’all that would be terrible. We would all be miserable!

When I began my motherhood journey five years ago, I thought I had to cram myself into the motherhood box. You know the one; it’s the one society labels a “good mother.” Generally, “good mother” goes hand-in-hand with “good wife.”

The weight of those two boxes is enough to drown even the best swimmer. 

So many women enter motherhood with the misconception that we must give up who we truly are in order to be good moms. That’s seriously the worst thing we could do, yet so many of us do it. I had this entire reality of motherhood construed in my mind when my first child was born. I was adamant that I was going to be the perfect mom for him. 

I’ve laid that pipe dream to rest five years into this whole Mom thing. 

It took me too long to realize that the best mom for my kids is ME. Not whatever society tells me I need to be, but who I truly am at the core. And the type of Mom that I am is going to be different from the type of Mom you are — and that’s the beauty of motherhood.

The biggest thing I have done wrong on my motherhood journey is denying myself joy. I thought my job as a mother was to stifle who I am, my wants and needs, in order to raise good tiny humans. I thought in order to be the best mom for them I had to cater to their every need and have my world revolve entirely around them.

Mama, please don’t make the same mistake I did. 

By putting myself dead last in my family, I created what I like to call the Monster Mom. I was resentful, anxious, depressed, jealous, miserable, and irritated. Even the smallest outings and tasks overstimulated me to the point of tears. I hid from family and friends because I wasn’t proud of the mother I was. I felt inadequate, overwhelmed, and unprepared. I thought my kids deserved a better Mom and my husband deserved a better wife. I wanted out. Glory be to science, therapy, and Heaven that I’m writing this for you to read today. 

In 2022, I decided that I mattered.

Read the rest of this piece on the Knoxville Moms website to find out what I did to change my life.