Getting pregnant and giving birth is an experience unlike anything else. It’s exciting, terrifying, exhausting and everything in between.

If you’re expecting soon, you are probably devouring every book and blog you come across. It’s absolutely normal to feel incredibly nervous about taking care of a newborn, especially if you’re a first-time mother.

Some women breeze through their pregnancies, while others might experience minor discomfort to extreme struggle. No matter which category you fall under, it’s imperative to remember that the effects of pregnancy don’t dissipate as soon as you give birth. It’s likely to take a while before you start feeling yourself physically, emotionally and mentally.

Therefore, in addition to learning about providing care to your little one, you also need to pay attention to your own recovery. We are summarizing some tips that you’ll find useful when the baby arrives.

Don’t Overlook Your Needs

A new baby will soon become the centre of your universe. But that doesn’t mean you can neglect your needs. Your postpartum health and recovery are equally important.

Sleep When You Can

It’s no secret that sleep deprivation is inevitable, at least for the first few months. But you can function only for so long without sleep. While getting 8 hours of sleep is an unrealistic expectation, you should sleep whenever you can. The best tip? Sleep when your baby sleeps.

Take Advice, Cautiously

From midwives to family members to the internet, be ready to receive a lot of parenting and postpartum advice. Though the intentions are usually good, you are not obligated to implement anything. Only do what feels right to you.

Be Patient with Breastfeeding

You may think that breastfeeding will come to you naturally, but you should not put too much pressure on yourself. It is a skill that requires time and patience to learn.

Eat Well

In between all the chaos, avoid skipping meals. In addition to adequate sleep, eating nutritious meals is essential to keep up your energy.

Emotions Are Okay

There will be days when you’ll get no sleep and feel completely helpless. It’s okay and normal to be overcome with emotions. Being a parent is tough, don’t be too hard on yourself.

Accept Help

While the baby needs your constant attention, you probably need to get other things done as well. Even if you are on maternity leave, there are tasks such as grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry and cooking. If friends and family offer help, don’t hesitate to accept it.

Invest in Supportive Tools

From a pumping bra to high-quality shapewear, invest in clothing and tools that will provide you with the necessary support during recovery.

The Bottom Line

Looking after a newborn is not an easy task, particularly when your body has gone through so many changes. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child. So don’t feel ashamed to ask for help when you need it! Whether you hire a nurse or ask your mom to stay over, either of those things doesn’t make you any less of a mother.