First of all, a big congratulations is in order! You have just done something absolutely incredible and life-changing. You should be so proud of yourself.
By now, you also probably realise that nothing could have prepared you for life as a new mum. Between the middle-of-the-night wake up cries, the crying, the diaper changes, and the nursing, it’s something you just can’t understand until you experience it yourself.
It is COMPLETELY normal and expected to feel overwhelmed in the early stages of motherhood. Frankly, I’d be worried if you weren’t!
As a mum of three myself, I know what you’re going through, and I’m here to tell you that it does get easier as time goes on. There are also certain measures you can take to make this period of time feel less overwhelming, and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you today on the blog.
Keep reading for my top seven tips on how to manage overwhelm as a new mum!
Ask for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your loved ones and let them know how they can support you. This might mean watching the baby so you can have an hour of “me time”, running an errand or two so you don’t have to worry about it, helping out around the house, or just acting as a sympathetic listening ear. I can’t emphasize enough how valuable it is to have friends and family on your side during this time.
Outsource where you are able to. If finances allow, outsourcing tasks like cleaning, cooking, and childcare can be a real lifesaver and give you the time and space you need to relax. If this isn’t possible, look into small but meaningful ways to save time when it comes to household tasks — there are some great meal preparation services nowadays that are quite affordable! And of course, divide any responsibilities you share with your significant other — it really does take a village.
Set up a family calendar. This way, both you and your partner can view each other’s schedules at a glance and know about any upcoming appointments, baby visits, etc. The more organised and on the same page you are, the less stressed and overwhelmed you will feel!
Create a routine that works for your baby. You don’t need to do things the way your family members did, and you definitely don’t need to take unsolicited advice. Your routines with your baby are for you to decide, and every baby is different. With some trial-and-error, you will soon figure out what works best for your baby’s unique needs.
Make your own morning routine as simple as possible. My biggest tip for making this happen is to prepare everything the night before. Lay out your clothes, pack your bag, tidy the house, prep breakfast (if possible), get any necessary items you’ll need together, and so on.
Simplify mealtimes. I like to plan meals out in advance for the week so that I know what I’ll need to do to prepare each day. On days that I’m home, I opt for something easy that doesn’t require much of my attention, like a slow-cooker meal. If you don’t like cooking, try a meal delivery service or find healthy takeout offerings in your area.
Make self-care a priority. So many new mums get caught up in the excitement and overwhelm that they forget the most important thing: to take care of themselves. I don’t want this to happen to you! Remember, your baby NEEDS you to be at your best so don’t push yourself to run on an empty cup. Rest often, drink water, take time for yourself, and utilise the resources that are available to you. It makes a world of difference.
Once again, congratulations to all the new mums out there reading this — you’re in for an incredible ride!
Did you enjoy this post? If so, be sure to shoot me a DM on Instagram and let me know what topics I should cover on the blog next.
