Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience which is all-the-more reason for new mums to maintain a sense of identity outside of motherhood. “Me” time provides the space to process your feelings, reduce stress, and manage any symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety.
It’s essential for maintaining good mental health during this transition. Making time for yourself also allows you to maintain strong social connections and relationships with your partner, family members, and friends. It also gives you a chance to stay connected with your interests and passions so that you can maintain a healthy balance between your roles as a mother and an individual.
When you’re juggling your regular chores and baby care, “me” time may seem like a pipedream but with a little effort, you can make it a reality. This will give you time to relax and recharge and you will find that you also have more energy for everyday tasks.
1. Invest in a wearable breast pump
Electric breast pumps are a step up from manual pumps which are notoriously time-consuming and tiring. And, when you use an electric pump that plugs into a socket, you are forced to sit in one spot the entire time.
If you have a portable electric pump, you can take the battery with you, but it is still unwieldy. Furthermore, electric pumps have thin tubes that need to be cleaned after each use which can become tiresome when you have to express milk several times a day.
A wearable breast pump allows you to carry on with your day while pumping, which gives you more freedom. Most of these kinds of pumps don’t have tubing, so they are easier to clean. With an easier way to create a portable milk supply, you can delegate feeding responsibilities to your spouse, partner or caregiver so you can win back some time for yourself.
There are a variety of brands of wearable pumps in the market with a range of technologically advanced features and smartphone integrations via mobile apps, so make sure you check out user reviews and expert advice on wearable breast pumps to help you make a decision.
2. Visit family and friends & enlist their support
When you invite family and friends over to meet your baby, you may find yourself running around the house to tidy it up.
Instead, try to make plans with family and friends to visit them. Everyone will fuss over your baby, vying for their attention, and you can enjoy being in the company of others without having to host them – giving you a chance to sit back and enjoy your cup of tea.
Also, asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It’s important to enlist the support from friends, partners, and loved ones to delegate where you can and where you feel confident that the person can safely care for your child, to free up your time and headspace.
3. Set a realistic standard for housekeeping
Don’t try to maintain the same standard of housekeeping that you had before your baby was born. Set a goal to have your home clean and safe, but don’t feel like it must be immaculately clean, because the reality is, it won’t be for very long.
Establish a routine that includes designated times for self-care. This could involve scheduling short breaks throughout the day or setting aside specific blocks of time during the week for activities that rejuvenate you. You can use your baby’s naptime as an opportunity to indulge in a hobby. You can also talk to other mums in your family or connect with new mums through online communities for practical tips on how they carve out free time for themselves.