postpartum self care survival tips

My last post was about the importance of self care and creating space postpartum to process your birth and prioritize your physical and emotional recovery. Maybe you want to add in more self care, but you don’t have time to think of ways to help yourself. So, let’s do it together!

1. Identify your support network: friends, family, neighbors who can help. Who’s the best organizer in this group? Ask them to make a sign up spreadsheet for people to bring meals, help with groceries, or be there to watch your baby while you shower. The goal is to get assistance without needing to be the managing person coordinating or directing all of this. You can then focus on the important things that only you can do. 
2. Set up your space: It sucks when you get positioned to feed your baby and realize your water bottle is across the room! Be your own fairy godmother and put a glass of water, lip balm, and some easily grabable snacks (nothing that needs two hands) next to feeding areas to help out future you. My amazing sister-in-law (with 3 kids to manage) suggested this lifesaver tip. 
3. Say yes: You were an independent person before baby and maybe not so good at asking for help...Now people are saying “if you need anything, let me know” and your gut reaction is still to say no. Say YES. What’s one thing you really need from the store that they can bring over? Can they show up with lunch? Or coffee? If you’re worried about paying them back, that’s what Venmo is for. Are you going out today and need an extra hand? Have them come over first to help you pack up and help out in the car. 
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff: If it’s not critical to you and the baby, try to let it go. Is your home a mess? Oh well. Did you forget to call your friend on their birthday? They’ll understand. If you can’t give yourself a break during this time, when can you? If it’s absolutely impossible for you to not worry about these things, write them down. Keep a running list that I hope you never look at. Send it to your organizing friend!
5. Sanity Hour: Do you have the blessing of going through this period with a partner or is there family staying with you right now? Amazing. Pick out a 30 minute to 1 hour time slot per day that is sacred time for you. You must be on your own at that time. No calls, no questions, no baby. Take deep breaths, stretch your back and arms, meditate. Watch some TV, write in a journal, read a novel. You need this.

               What are some of the things that helped you with self care? Comment below!

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