Top 10 tips for self-care

 

"Try to have a shower in the morning before your partner goes to work so they can look after bub while you get ready. You'll feel fresher and more prepared for the day ahead if you're not still in pyjamas at midday. Also try to hang a simple outfit - say a maxi dress or yoga pants and a singlet - on the back of the bathroom door, to avoid worrying about what you're going to wear." Jane Lawless, mum to Frankie, 13 months.

 

"Don't put pressure on yourself. Get friends or family to cook meals, sleep when the baby sleeps, drink lots of water and just be kind to yourself - you're going through a massive change. You will be tired but it is not forever so just try and go with the flow." Natalie Hudson, prenatal yoga teacher and mum to Milla, 2.

 

"If you’re breastfeeding, splash out on some sexy maternity lingerie. It will make you feel more like your old self and it is a wonderful reward for all the hard work you've done. It’s so hard to justify spending money on anything nice for yourself, but my theory was that formula would have cost us a lot of money, so a hundred bucks or so on some gorgeous bras was cheap by comparison." Samantha Leah, mum to Edward, 5, Josephine, 3 and Vanessa, 2 weeks.

 

"Walking is a great way to get your body back into shape and can also have a fantastic effect on your mood. There are often lots of appointments in the early days with baby. Try and schedule the time so that you can walk there and back. When walking, try to focus on your pelvic floor and holding your posture upright. Walking tall allows more oxygen into your diaphragm. This means you will not only look better, but feel better!"  Michelle Wright, personal trainer and mum to Ethan, 15, Simon, 13, Millie, 12 and Max, 9.

 

“Summer's heat can be rough on mum and the new bub. It was by accident that I discovered this gorgeous little treat - the midweek movies before they had ‘babes in arms’. I loved the solitude of it all. In Queensland's humid weather, bub was overheating and I was sleep deprived. I went to a morning matinee and stayed for a double feature. My little girl quietly breastfed in my arms, in an almost-empty cinema. I settled in her pram and she slept for three glorious hours! I think it saved my sanity and I felt great afterwards, knowing bub had slept and I was refreshed." Tarran Deane, Mum to Ellie, 16.

 

"Think of the first three months as a fourth trimester. I had three goals each day for the first few months. 1. have a shower. 2. eat three meals a day. 3. get some fresh air, even if that meant walking to the letterbox and back." Amanda Ferguson, mum to Chelsea, 11 months.

 

"Dry shampoo is the best thing ever when you have gotten up three times in the night and have no time or energy the next day for a shower. One quick spray and you look and feel like you have freshened up a lot."  Jo Kanizay, mum to Thomas, 4 and Lisa, 2.

 

“Have lots of nutritious snacks on hand at all times. Fruit you can eat with one hand – such as bananas and grapes – is great. Cheese and crackers, dips, raw vegies such as carrots and celery, tubs of yoghurt and mixed nuts will all help keep your energy levels up. And stay hydrated by keeping bottles of water in the fridge, by your bedside and in your bag.”  Vicky Hall, mum to Gemma, 8, and Alexandra, 3.

 

“If people ask what you would like as a gift in the early days, ask for a voucher for a facial or massage and get your partner to watch bub for a few hours while you go out for a bit of pampering. You will probably sleep through the whole thing but the benefits of looking after yourself in this way will keep you going for a week!” –Hazel Johnston, mum to Ella, 7.

 

“Consider joining a mums and bubs fitness class. This gets you out into the fresh air and allows you and bub to socialise. Try not to worry too much about losing weight, your focus should be more on having fun and building up your strength and energy levels.”  Naomi Travers, mum to Ruth, 9, and Damien, 2. 

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