No matter how many stories you hear or how many books you read about giving birth and the period that follows, you can never completely prepare for it. The love you feel for your baby is absolutely amazing and it will help you deal with any negative aspects of your life after giving birth.

The truth is, though, you’ll be tired most of the time and sometimes even lonely. You will have to deal with physical effects which might lower your confidence for some time. But, this is a natural process and it just takes time for your body and mind to accommodate itself to a new situation. Remember to lower your expectations of what you can do, at least for the first couple of months. In this way, you’ll certainly survive without falling into a trap of overthinking.

Listen to other mums where possible, but also listen to your own intuition and body. There are some really valuable tips given by mums who had to deal with all the stress regarding the lack of sleep, hair and weight loss, what-to-wear questions and skincare. If you are in a dire need of a boost, read through the following pieces of advice and find those that would best suit your needs.

How do I feel better?

• Even though you will be dedicating all of your time to your baby, try and fit in some time just for yourself. You can do this when baby is asleep. Just 20 minutes of me-time can make you feel great. Use this time to relax and do something you like: having a bath, listening to your favourite music or just putting on a face-mask. If you feel relaxed, your baby will feel it, too.

• Try to spend time with other mums who have small children, so as to avoid being at home all the time. You’ll feel much better if you can share all your thoughts with somebody who truly understands what you’re talking about.

• Call your friends and see them as often as you can. Contact with people who don’t have children, or just without the children around will give you a chance to feel like you aren’t just a mum, but a person who occasionally needs a break.

• You’re definitely your own worst critic. Stop being so harsh on yourself, you just had a baby. It takes time. Other people just don’t think about the way you look, but you should still take the time to do what makes you feel beautiful. You might like to paint your nails, buy a new pair of shoes or spend twenty minutes on the treadmill, you deserve it too!

Tips on How to Deal with Physical Changes in your Body

• Exercising. New mums often complain about not getting enough sleep, and the slow process of losing weight. Firming up the tummy and getting used to a new shape of breasts is also included in the list. The problem lies in the fact that many mums start exercising shortly after giving birth, but still don’t have enough energy. Exercise just doesn’t work if your body is not ready to go back to its previous state. Give it some more time and then start doing the exercise step by step, increasing the pace every second day.

• The same goes for dieting. You need a lot of strength and energy to take care of your baby. Don’t go on any drastic diets just yet. Actually, don’t do it at all. Eat healthy food, rich in protein and fiber, at regular times during a day. Try to avoid junk food as much as possible.

• Dealing with pains. Many women complain about wrist, elbow, neck and shoulder pain, which can appear as a consequence of our posture while breastfeeding. While you’re feeding your baby, the best option is to sit in a chair that has a good support for head and arms. Another important thing is to stretch for approximately 5 minutes every day.

A Few More Tips on How to Look after Yourself Even More

• Make-up. One trick is to use white eye shadow on the inner corner of the lids. This will make your eyes look wide awake. If you don’t have to think about the budget, opt for professionally shaped and dyed eyebrows. You won’t believe how this can make a small, but significant change on your face.

  You need to save time as much as possible, so try to pick products that serve this purpose. You can go for one-step facial cleanser or an instant concealer. These types of products are suitable for all skin types, which is a great option during this period of hormonal imbalance.

• Haircare. Most women say that the best time for washing the hair is in the evening, once the baby goes to sleep. This is an excellent time to learn some new tricks, such as spraying your hair with dry shampoo if it looks greasy in the morning. Don’t worry too much if you start losing your hair more than usual, this is a natural process every woman experiences due to hormone levels adjusting.

Spending quality time with your little one is extremely rewarding. These are the moments when you and your partner create most important bonds with your baby. Use this time to get to know your child and to try to find out what the world looks like to a new born baby. It lasts for just a short time, so you’d better enjoy it!

How did you get back your confidence after your baby? Let us know below!

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