Finding Time To Take Care Of Yourself Whilst Balancing Work And Motherhood

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Adapting to your new bundle of joy and becoming a family doesn’t come without its challenges. Especially if you work from home, are self-employed, or have to return to work before the usual period of maternity leave, you’re not so much up the creek without a paddle, but up the creek without a paddle or a boat. Going back to work can leave you feeling so guilt-ridden that you spend as much time as possible with the baby - which is extremely common and something every mother does when having to leave their child at such a young age. However, it is important to also find some snippets of time just to check in with yourself, and make sure you’re taking care of you too, as well as the baby. Many new mums struggle to find time to eat, shower and keep up with daily care routines. Here are some tips on taking care of yourself whilst balancing your newborn and work.  

While Baby Naps

When you and your little one have finally settled into a routine, it is imperative that you use the time they are asleep to take care of yourself. Whether this is catching up on your own sleep (number one choice for many new mums), or having a quick shower, or eating lunch - make sure you are using the time wisely. Yes, it can be hard to tear yourself away from watching your precious one sleep - every mum has been there - but this will be the only time you have to ensure you are taking care of yourself. 

Mornings Are Baby Time, Evenings Are Mummy Time 

Even if you are not working, you will still be woken up at a bright and early time by your little one, no matter how many feeds you were woken by in the night. However, your little one will still drop off in the early evening, giving you a few hours before you have to go to bed to do a quick spot of housework, laundry, and all the things that fall to the wayside when your newborn arrives. This is slightly different to a nap, as baby will usually sleep for a few hours, so make sure your reserve any of the more time-consuming jobs to the evening, rather than when baby is down for a nap. 

Invest In A Baby Wrap

If you have very little time out of work, or have a lot on your plate and want to spend time with your baby, you could try a baby wrap. They allow you to carry the baby around with you whilst having both hands free. This is great for food shops, housework, and generally moving around the house doing jobs. Even if you are working from home and on your feet all day, this is a great tool that helps you to multi-task and not have to choose between work and spending time with your little one. Make sure you have The Right Hairstyles for when you swaddle if you have long hair - as you don’t want your hair to be constantly over baby’s face or in their eyes. 

There you have it, a few ways you can ensure you are still taking care of you whilst trying to balance time with your new bundle of joy. If you have just welcomed a new addition to the family, then congratulations, and hopefully these tips have helped you out a little bit.