Self-care tips for expectant and new parents

Tips

Practical support

Embarking on parenthood is a time of mixed emotions! It is common to feel overwhelmed, isolated and exhausted with little or no deep sleep. You will most likely have a combination of good and bad days. Practical help can lighten your load. Can you arrange some help with the cleaning, household work such as gardening, shopping and washing? If you have friends and family asking how they can help, no matter how uncomfortable it might feel, try gracefully accepting their offers and allow them to provide some support.

Start talking

Opening up the conversation and sharing your feelings as an expectant or new parent is an important first step to getting support. It can also be the most difficult so be gentle with yourself and reach out to someone you know well and trust. If you are experiencing any emotional distress, it is especially important to share this and to access support. Relationships go through many changes after having a baby. Your new role as parents is totally new. Talking and sharing your distress can lessen the isolation and may bring you closer to someone as you share how you are feeling. You can find out more about accessing support here: https://gidgetfoundation.org.au/getsupport/

Avoid comparison

In our world, the temptation to compare is always at your fingertips. Remember that you know your baby best. Social media can be a supportive place to connect with other expectant and new parents as well as a place that creates unrealistic views of parenthood. Any time you spend scrolling, we encourage you to do it mindfully. How is it making you feel? Do you need to limit your time or look at who you are connecting with to ensure that it is a healthy space?

Daily dose of fresh air

It’s amazing how a dose of fresh air and sunshine can impact on your emotional wellbeing! A small amount of safe sun exposure, a short walk, a picnic on the grass or even in your own backyard can all give you a little energetic lift. During those long intense days as a new parent this is especially important.

Kindness

This is one of our favourite tips! Kindness towards yourself and others is a game changer for expectant and new parents. Be careful with the way you speak to and think about yourself; would you speak to or think of a close friend the same way? Does your language need a little softening?Remember that you are doing the best you can in each parenting moment. Small gestures of kindness towards other parents can also really boost your own mood. Chat with another parent when you are out next or leave a kind comment online. Engaging with life when you can and being kind to yourself is really important.