Handy methods for new mums treating tired eyes

I don’t know about you, but if my eyes feel tired then the rest of me feels just blah – kind of droopy and heavy. In early days of being a new mum, it’s inevitable that you’ll be up and down a few times for feeds and your eyes will be feeling the full affects of interrupted or reduced sleep.

If your eyes feel and look good, then you the rest of you does too. Here are some handy methods for new mums treating tired eyes, learnt from first hand experience to trick your eyes into thinking they’ve just had 10 hours of uninterrupted shut-eye. (I wish!)

1. Eye drops

Combat tired eyes with eye drops specifically for this clearing redness and refreshing. There are so many varieties available at the supermarket or pharmacy you won’t have a problem finding one to match your specific eye need. They really are instant sleep in a bottle.

Another idea to refresh and restore the sparkle is to rinse your eyes with saline (similar to the tears your eyes make). Keep in the fridge in summer to help contract those red veins and help your eyes feel normal. I’ve found the individual vials are handy to keep on hand for when littlies get something stuck in their peepers, too – eye drops tend to sting them.

2. Hydrating eye creams

With all that getting up and down during the night and rubbing those tired eyes, the surrounding skin can take a beating. Hydrating simply means super-moisturising.  And that’s where a super lubricating and soothing eye cream can help. My favourite for years is Ella Bache’s Special Eye Cream. It’s rich and nourishing, which I love, but too heavy for some. For lighter lovers eye creams, there are many versions available. What ever your preference don’t forget to apply at least twice each day with your ring finger from the outside of the eye toward the inside in as this massage movement combined with the cream can help minimise the appearance of fine lines. Truly!

3. Dark circle correctors

There are lots of causes of dark circles under the eyes such as genetics, kidney problems or allergies. Any of these can be exacerbated by not enough sleep. So when a full night’s sleep is a distant memory, to get you through until baby is sleeping through, invest in a dark circle correcting cream.

These work by reducing the dark areas and brightening the eye area. They are also super hydrating to plum up the very thing eye-skin. And even better, they are available from just about everywhere at every price point – the supermarket, chemist, department store, and for those who are awake at night, online.

4. Camomile tea bags

Cheap and convenient, after you’ve made your self a cuppa, save the used tea bag and put in the fridge to cool. When you can grab a ten-minute power nap, put a tea bag over each eye as a remedy for puffiness and dark circles. They soothe as they cool your poor tortured peepers.  It’s not a surprise, really, as camomile is anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory and has anti-microbial properties.  Note, though that the US National Institute of Health advises pregnant women against consuming Roman Camomile when pregnant or breastfeeding.

5. Eye lash tint

Given that you are suddenly time poor, getting a lash tint just prior the big arrival is a good idea. It will see you through those many birth and early days of motherhood photos without having to reach for your mascara wand. No time or cash for a salon tint? I always have a home eyelash dye kit at home for those in-between times. Choosing the blackest black gives a good dark colour (and I’m a redhead with blonde lashes at the roots).

6. Sunglasses

There’s a reason that celebrities wear sunnies. They are a quick hit of instant glamour that cover a thousand sins. Shades are essential to cover up the effects of nightly feeds. A great pair of sunnies not only looks good, they make you feel great, too. I love big and black with a bit of bling, or retro 50’s styles, but pick whatever works for you.

Looking for more hints for new mums? Pop on over to Pregnancy Panache for some tips about looking and feeling great in T4, after babe arrives.