Self-care: Why it’s important for new mums

Congratulations, new mumma! You’ve embarked on an incredible journey filled with love, growth, and joy. As you embrace the beautiful chaos of motherhood, it’s essential to remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for your precious new baby.

As a new mother self-care is not optional or a luxury, it is essential for your wellbeing. It will help you recharge your physical, mental, and emotional batteries, allowing you to tackle the challenges of motherhood with renewed energy and patience.

Here, you’ll learn why it’s essential to nurture your body and mind at this critical time, along with some ideas that are practical and quick for tired new mums who are recovering from birth. Regular remedial massage is something you should also consider, and we explain the benefits here.

The good news is that self-care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. The simplest acts can have the most profound impact. You could take a few moments each day to:

• practise mindfulness
• breathing techniques
• a quick guided meditation
• some gentle stretches
• a few yoga moves, or
• a short walk outside in nature.

These short mental and physical breaks can help rejuvenate your spirit and restore a sense of calm.

Benefits of remedial massage for new mums

Physical wellbeing is vital, especially when your body is recovering from pregnancy and labour plus adjusting to the many new demands of motherhood.

Those countless moments of lifting, feeding, and carrying your little one on very little or broken sleep can take a toll on your posture, muscles, and joints. This is where regular remedial massage can play a vital role.

Remedial massage focuses on specific areas of the body, targeting muscle tension and pain and promoting relaxation.

A remedial massage therapist can help to address the unique challenges faced by new mothers, including:

• Alleviate muscular tension, particularly in the shoulders, neck, and back, which are commonly affected by the physical demands of carrying and breastfeeding.
• Help improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and promote faster recovery from childbirth.
• Apart from the physical benefits, massage therapy also offers emotional and mental relief. The power of touch is proven to be incredibly soothing and comforting for mothers who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious or fatigued from broken sleep.
• The quiet and peaceful environment during a massage session provides an opportunity for mothers to let go of stress and tension, relax, unwind and begin to feel in touch with themselves again.

Massage as part of your self-care routine at home

While going to a professional massage therapist is ideal, it’s not always feasible for new mothers due to time or financial constraints.

In that case, there are ways to incorporate massage into a self-care routine at home. You or your partner can learn safe, simple massage techniques from online tutorials; you can use tools like foam rollers, massage balls, hand-held massage devices or heated massage cushions.

With a few simple tools and resources available online, you can create your own oasis of relaxation at home.

Embrace the notion that self-care is not selfish but rather an act of self-love that radiates outward. By investing in your wellbeing, you will be able to navigate parenthood with more energy, and patience and be able to truly enjoy the time with your new baby.