5 Ways to Prioritize Yourself While Caring for a Newborn

Caring for a newborn is a full-time job. You might be putting everything else on the back burner to focus on taking care of your little one, especially if it’s your first child.

While there’s no denying newborns need around-the-clock care, you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you don’t prioritize your own needs, you’re eventually going to burn out and not be able to provide your baby with the care and attention it requires.

Taking care of yourself while caring for a newborn isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. Let’s take a closer look at five ways you can prioritize yourself after bringing home a baby. Even small acts of self-care each day can go a long way in improving how you feel.

1. Get Enough Sleep

There are plenty of stereotypes and tropes about new parents not getting enough sleep. Newborns tend to wake up every few hours to eat, to be changed, or because they’re fussy for other reasons.

But, as a new parent, you have to prioritize sleep. Sleep when your baby sleeps, even if that means taking naps during the day. You might have a million things on your to-do list, but chances are most of them can wait. Right now, you have to focus on staying healthy and boosting your energy, and which means getting enough rest.

2. Set Healthy Boundaries

It’s okay to say “no” to people and things during this season of life. Don’t feel obligated to bring your newborn to family events or friend’s houses. Don’t let people come over if you want to use that time to rest.

Setting boundaries for yourself will give you peace of mind. You’ll be less stressed and won’t burn out as quickly.

3. Ask for Help

Another old saying to keep in mind is that it takes a village to raise a child. Lean on your support system to help you care for your newborn — and yourself. If you have a partner or spouse, don’t be afraid to express your needs and divide the responsibilities as evenly as possible.

If you’re raising your child on your own, lean on family members and close friends for help. Even if you don’t want anyone else to watch your child right now, consider what kind of practical help people can provide. Maybe they can take care of your laundry or pick up groceries for you. Getting those things off of your list can take away a lot of stress.

4. Stay Active

You might not feel like going to the gym right now, and you don’t have to. It’s important to listen to your body and take things easy for a while. But, finding a physical activity you enjoy, and something that makes you feel good can be extremely beneficial for your physical and mental health.

Consider going on a walk each day. If the weather’s nice, you can push your baby in a stroller. It’s great for them to get some time outside, too.

If you have the time and energy, try to get at least 30 minutes of light activity each day. Exercise boosts your mood, gives you more energy, and can help you start to feel more like yourself again after having a baby.

5. Establish a Routine

Children thrive on a routine from a very early age. But, when you’re trying to adjust to life with a newborn, you’ll benefit from it, too.

Right now, your baby’s sleep schedule might seem a bit erratic. But, as much as possible, try to maintain a healthy daily schedule. A routine allows you to schedule time each day for self-care. It will provide a sense of comfort for you and your baby and can adapt to both of your needs over time.

There are so many small things you can do to prioritize yourself while caring for a newborn. Practicing self-care is a great way to prevent burnout and help you enjoy this chapter of life as much as possible.

Therapy can also be an important aspect of self-care, especially if you find that you’re struggling to prioritize yourself while caring for a newborn. If you’re looking for more help with ideas about self-care, stress management, or parenting, don’t hesitate to reach out as soon as possible and book a consultation with me.