Looking After Yourself
If you're a new mum, looking after yourself may be right down on the bottom of your to-do list. That's if it even appears on there at all.
I remember my mother—in—law telling me how important it was for me to let her babysit my son so I could have a break. I couldn't understand it, break?? What break?? With the cooking and cleaning and washing and, and, and!!
Here I was thinking I had to be a super woman and do it all and happily so. After all my mum did it!!
It wasn't until I had my second baby two years later that I understood what she meant. I had to make myself a priority if my baby was going to enjoy the benefits of breastfeeding and if my toddler was going to have a sane, happy and patient mum, rather than the monster I was becoming.
I also discovered that my breastfeeding pain was closely linked to my stress level and lack of sleep. Feeling so uptight affected my let down reflex, it affected my ability to sleep even when I had the time, it meant that I was rushing through feeds and not paying attention to my baby's attachment.
Every mum truly deserves time out, even if its 15 minutes a day. Why not write a short list of all the things you can do in a short space of time to recharge your batteries. Think of it like a menu and put it somewhere you'll see it so that it acts as a reminder.
Something as simple as playing a particular song, having a bath or shower, having a cup of tea, taking the phone off the hook, reading, anything that takes your mind off all your responsibilities and empowers you.
I used to go for a few walks a day and I had a song that I would play. It reminded me of the overseas trip I took when I was still single and for a few minutes I would feel carefree again.
And although sometimes coming back to reality can be hard, you might find that when you do come back, you feel a little more rested or patient and more able to cope.
Looking after of yourself by resting can also help overcome lots of breastfeeding problems. It can help when you are trying to increase your milk supply and when you are struggling with mastitis.
Something lots of mums overlook is their own nutrition. You may find yourself so busy that you don't even think about eating, let alone make time for it. Breastfeeding uses up lots of your own energy, protein and iron so it's important that you have a healthy diet.
Having a baby is a huge life changing event, it's only natural that you are going to feel out of control, fatigued, depressed and possibly bombarded by advice you may not want. It's especailly important at this time to make looking after yourself a priority.
If you have someone that can sit with your baby or take him or her for a walk while you rest then ask them to do so. I found that once I had decided it was ok for me to ask for help, the people around me were more than happy to offer it.
Do you know someone who may find this article helpful?
If so click 
to SHARE it.
Return to How to Prepare for Breastfeeding
Go to Benefits of Breastfeeding
Go to Let Down Reflex
Go to Breastfeeding Positions
Go to Attachment
Go to Colostrum
Return to The Essence Of Breastfeeding from Looking After Yourself
