Tired? Here are 4 tips on how to prioritise yourself when staying at home with a baby.
Sometimes it feels like mums almost brag about how little sleep they are getting. As if being tired is some sort of accomplishment. At one point, I was one of those mums. My focus was always on my little one, making sure he was getting as much sleep as possible, whatever it took. And getting enough sleep and relaxation is important.
However, we sometimes seem to forget that we, as parents, also have a need for sleep, relaxation and other things that help us stay sane. It really is like they say on an aeroplane: you need to secure your own mask before helping others.
If you wear yourself out, you are no help to anyone. So how do we make sure both mum and baby get enough sleep and relaxation? Perhaps you have heard the phrase “sleep when the baby sleeps”? Well, that is often easier said than done. Believe me.
Here are 4 tips that can help you get back that important me time:
1. There is no shame in asking for help
After giving birth to my son, I somehow had the feeling that to be the perfect mum I needed to do everything on my own. I would breastfeed, get him dressed, change his nappies, and the list goes on. After all, I was the only one who knew exactly how he liked to be rocked to sleep in the stroller. And the right way to hold the bottle, if he were to have one.
Or was I? The moment I gave up on being the perfect mum and let my parents and friends help, I realised that it benefited not only me, but also my son. I got to relax and take a nap, while he got a well-rested mum with more energy. And my parents and friends got to build a relationship with my son. That is what I call win-win-win!
2. You can’t do it all
We all visualise what kind of mum we want to be when we get pregnant, and some of us have thought long and hard about it ever since we were kids ourselves. But it is important not to let our expectations of ourselves make motherhood harder than it needs to be. Yes, your little one will look gorgeous in a matching outfit, but perhaps the most important thing is that they stay nice and warm.
A lot of mums and dads think that they will get so much done when they are on maternity or paternity leave, but the truth is that being home with a little one takes everything you have and more. So leave the expectations at the door and prioritise what you need to stay sane.
3. Prioritise
So, your baby is finally asleep, and your house looks like a mess. Your instinct? “I need to clean this up really quickly, and then I will rest.” And then, before you know it, just as you sit down, your baby wakes. No rest this time either. But it does not have to be like this if you just put yourself first.
Once your baby is asleep, either in the stroller, in a cot, or perhaps on top of you, you put your feet up and you do nothing. Absolutely nothing. And when your baby wakes up, you do the cleaning together.
Your baby can be in a sling, in a bouncer seat, or just on the floor with some toys if you have one of those babies who thrive on the floor. Or you just leave it all until your partner comes home.
4. Get some exercise and fresh air
Maybe you know the feeling? Everything seems dark, you are tired, and you just want to stay inside, preferably in front of the TV. But could you manage to invest just 10 minutes in yourself?
Both fresh air and exercise have been shown to boost your mood, lower your blood pressure and help decrease levels of stress and anxiety, which in turn can help you sleep better. Go outside, get your body moving and let your thoughts run free! It truly is therapy for a tired soul.
To sum it up:
You are a great parent! You do your best for your baby, but none of us can do it all. Of course, it is hard not to put your baby first. But do yourself a little favour: don’t put yourself last.
You are worth it. And dads, this goes for you too! Your babies will benefit from you feeling like yourself. If you have one of those babies who only sleep in motion, the Sleepytroll Baby Rocker might be something for you.