5 Ways to Maintain Your Emotional Wellbeing as a New Parent

Being a new parent is fulfilling, but not easy! This new lifestyle is going to tax you physically and emotionally. Here are five ways to take care of yourself.

There is nothing in the world that’s as rewarding as being a parent. There’s also nothing that can actually prepare you for the challenges you’ll face right out of the starting gate.

No matter how many books you read or how much advice you took to childproof your home, bringing a baby into your life is hard. It can take a toll on relationships and your mental health.

The good news is that you’re not alone. Billions — yes, billions — of people have been in your shoes and survived.

Along the way, real parents just like you have shared their best tips and strategies for staying sane while juggling no sleep and a fragile infant.

These five tips will help you guard your emotional wellbeing. When you practice them, you’ll have the patience to better love your baby and yourself, and enjoy these all-too-fleeting days.

1. Give Yourself Some Grace

Keeping your little one safe and content is your priority. Cleaning the house is not.

If you can’t juggle everything you used to be able to, it’s okay. You’re not the same person you used to be then. Now, you have a little one depending on you, and that’s an incredible change!

Give yourself some grace as you’re learning your way around your new routine. Like any significant change, it takes getting used to!

No matter what you “forget” to do that day, go to bed knowing you did your best. Getting mad at yourself for “slacking” is only going to make you feel worse.

2. Pay Attention to Your Feelings

If you’re feeling out of sorts, that’s perfectly normal.

Your hormones are readjusting to your post-pregnancy state if you’re a mom. Dads are still in shock and tending to both the baby and your recovering significant other.

You’re probably going to be snappy and emotional for a little while. It’s okay to be cranky as long as you remember that your current situation is not your permanent destination.

Normal or Possibly Postpartum?

However, there are some signs that you shouldn’t ignore. Postpartum depression is a real thing. Never shrug off signals that you could have more than the typical “new parent” stress.

If one or more of these symptoms sounds like you (or your spouse, if you’re the father), contact your doctor for guidance:

• Erratic mood swings like anger, anxiety, and guilt
• Feelings of hopelessness or loss of interest in regular activities
• Panic attacks
• Uncontrollable crying and irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive fatigue
• Major changes in weight after the initial birth process
• Depression or thoughts of self-harm
• Irrational fears

These are all possible signs that the problem isn’t you; it’s your body’s reaction to giving birth. Seek out professional medical help to address these concerns.

3. Choose Your Own Timing

If you don’t listen to any other advice, listen to this piece:

There is absolutely no timeline for when you “should” be back to your old routine. You may never get back to it, and that’s fine since you now have a baby to include in it.

You are in charge of your timeline for everything. Whether or not you breastfeed, how long you nurse for, whether your child sleeps with you or not … all these things are up to you.

When you go back to work, as long as you have dealt with the finances, is also your choice.

Since you’re rewriting your day, remember that you’re the one holding the pen.

Well-meaning advice can guide you if you want it to. Ultimately, though, there’s no rush to get back to the old days. Enjoy that time with your newborn and ignore the outside world as long as you can.

4. Take Help Where You Can

New parents often find themselves in the awkward role of having too much to do and not knowing where to start.

People are always telling parents of newborns, “If you need anything, just holler!”

But how do you ask for help when you don’t know what all needs doing?

This is a very natural step in your parenthood role, and it’s a confusing one.

To clarify and make it a bit easier for you, use this tip as your ground rule:

If someone offers to help you as you adjust to your new life, take it. Even if it’s something as tiny as letting them pick up dinner for you, just say yes.

Most new parents are very protective of who watches their precious treasure, and rightly so.

But if you can give up other tasks that you don’t mind someone else doing, you have more time to dote on the little miracle in your arms.

Would you rather be cooking dinner or catching up on a few much-needed Z’s?

Put your pride away and take any offerings of help.

5. Practice Self-Care

It can be hard to think about getting self-care when you barely have time for a shower, but this is essential.

A stressed-out parent isn’t what your child needs. Don’t feel guilty about being overwhelmed, but do try to take a few minutes and invest in your mental health each day.

Babies don’t stay awake 24/7. It just seems like they do. Take advantage of the downtime to focus on your own sanity.

If three minutes is all you have, make them count.

Stay off social media and TV and do something soul-satisfying instead. Meditate for three minutes. Put on a face mask. Shave your legs.

Move forward however slowly you can get there, but take those little steps to feel better. You’ll be glad you did, and it will show in your patience with your new bundle of joy.

Conclusion

All too soon, those long, sleepless nights and high-alert states will be gone. You’ll be in the new role of passing on survival skills to other soon-to-be and brand-new parents.

You, too, can help a struggling mom or dad by sharing whatever tips helped you stay sane. Emotional wellbeing is essential, and with these suggestions, you’ll make it through easier than you might think! 

Adam Marshall is a freelance writer who specializes in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Candour House to help them with their online marketing.