Self-Care Tips for New Moms
Becoming a mom has been the most fulfilling journey of my life. The days (and nights) can be long, but my daughter’s bright eyes and kind smile make every minute of work worth the effort. I pour my heart and soul into loving our little girl, and it’s tempting to give her 100% of my energy 100% of the time. As much as I’d love to spend every single second of the every single day with my daughter, I know that I need to take care of myself in order to be the best mom for her. I have to make it a priority to maintain a self-care routine for myself. As a new mom, I sometimes feel selfish for spending even an hour away from my daughter, but I try to remind myself that helping myself become a better version myself is helping her in the long run.
Today I’m sharing my top self-care tips for new moms as well as two pampering products that are going to change your hair game this season. You’re going to absolutely fall in love with an affordable shine serum from Hair Cuttery, and I’ll also spill the beans on one of the best hair masks I’ve ever tried! Oh, and of course I’ll share the details of my affordable outfit that’s perfect for everyday wear.
The Best Self-Care Tips for New Moms
Outfit Details: (under $28 + available in ) | High-Waisted Jeggings (under $30) | Turn Lock Crossbody Bag (under $40 and available in 3 colors) | | Perfect Stud Earrings (on sale) | Engraved Rose Gold Bracelet “Have Courage and Be Kind” (similar and more affordable version + use the code ABN for an additional 10% off) | Tortoiseshell Sunglasses (similar) | Perfect Nude Lipstick + Sheer Rose Lip Gloss c/o |
1. Schedule at least two hours away from your child / children per week.
At one of our first appointments, our pediatrician recommended that we start the habit of scheduling at least two hours away from our daughter every week. It doesn’t matter if you plan a date night with your husband, Sunday brunch with your BFFs, a solo shopping trip to the mall, or a nap at home, find a babysitter that your child can play with for at least two hours per week.
The time away will help you and help your child. Our pediatrician said it’s important to develop a routine of dropping off your child with someone else that you trust each week to teach them that it’s ok to be separated from their parents for a short time. Babies start developing habits between 4-6 months of age, so help them develop a healthy habit of spending a little bit of alone time with grandma or a fun playdate with their aunt. It will be good for both of you!
2. Plan a mini pampering session as often as possible.
While I don’t think I’ll ever have time to spend a few hours getting ready each day, I do make it a priority to have at least two mini pampering sessions each week. As soon as my little one falls asleep, I’ll spend 20-30 minutes taking a relaxing bath, completing my skincare routine, and applying a deep conditioning hair mask. These little beauty routines may not seem like a big deal, but they make me feel like a normal person instead of someone who wears the same leggings for days at a time even though they have drool and milk stains haha! Plus, it’s incredibly relaxing!
If you’re looking for a pampering beauty product to add to your weekly routine, I highly recommend looking into the It’s A 10 Miracle Hair Mask that I got from Hair Cuttery. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this product is unlike any other hair mask I’ve tried before. It has a creamy gel-like consistency that’s lightweight on your hair while still giving a major boost in moisture. The combination of oat kernel extract, apricot kernel oil, sweet almond oil, and linseed extract work magic on my hair and leave it soft, smooth, and bouncy.
Some hair masks provide moisture but leave your hair flat and lifeless. This product from It’s a 10 makes my hair feel baby soft without making me sacrifice volume. I use it at least once a week, but it could honestly be used several times a week in place of your normal conditioner if you’re up for it! Wondering why it’s called It’s a 10? Well, it claims to solve 10 major hair problems: detangling, moisturizing, restoring elasticity, softening, adding shine, volumizing, nourishing hair, defrizzing, and improving color vibrancy. Believe it or not, I’d have to say that it lives up to most of its claims. I don’t have colored hair, so I can’t vouch for adding vibrancy to hair color, but all of the other claims are pretty spot-on.
The moral of the story is simple: buy this hair mask during your next trip to Hair Cuttery (find the closest location to you here). It has thousands of 5-star reviews online for a reason. It’s ah-mazing!
Another product that I absolutely love for dry hair is the CIBU Shine Squad Gloss Drops. Shine Squad is a thermal-protectant shine serum with argan oil that adds the perfect amount of shine and moisture to your hair without making it feel greasy. The formula contains agave to hydrate your hair and add shine, argan oil to nourish, and rice protein to strengthen your locks. I’ve been using this product for a full year, and I just started my second bottle. I use a small pump on the lower half of my hair before blow-drying, and I always run a tiny bit of this product along the ends of my hair to make them smooth and soft. P.S. There’s a giveaway for this product at the end of the post!
After using this hair mask and shine serum combo for several weeks, my hair is looking and feeling fabulous despite the seasonal humidity. My hair looks and feels soft, strong, and bouncy, so I know with 100% certainty I’ll be keeping both products in my weekly hair care routine for as long as possible!
3. Find someone to talk to without judgement.
I can’t encourage you enough to find someone who you can talk to freely and without judgement. Whether it’s your mom, a fellow new mom, or a therapist, just find someone who will listen to you without spewing off a laundry list of advice. Believe me, I am always looking for advice on everything – especially with my baby, but sometimes you just need to get a few things off your chest without feedback.
Being a new mom is hard work. Our lives get turned upside down in the blink of an eye, and we are responsible for another person’s life 24/7. With that level of stress, it’s important to have a safe space to talk and de-stress. Whether you just need someone to listen to you, or you need professional assistance, do what you need to do. Practicing self-care is a way that you can take care of your little one. Give yourself the love that you’d show them!
4. Get out of the house every single day (if possible).
One of the best new mom tips I’ve ever received was to get out of the house at least once a day if possible. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed at home when you’re surrounded by dirty diapers, covered in drool, and constantly feeding your baby. Geez, I make motherhood seem so glamorous, don’t I haha? That’s why I leave my house for at least an hour every day. Even if you’re in leggings and a hoodie. Even if you just run to the grocery store to pick up one thing. Even if you choose to skip all of the errands on your list and just go to Starbucks. GO OUTSIDE.
Go on a walk around the block with your baby and show them the beautiful scenery. Head to your favorite shopping center and do a lap around a few stores. Honestly, just do whatever helps to clear your mind. Sometimes I’ll even just drive around town and listen to a podcast or audiobook. I know these ideas may seem extremely simple, but I’m telling you, little things can make a big difference in your life. Try it, and you’ll understand. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, put your little one in his/her carseat and leave the house for an hour. I think you’ll be shocked at how quickly your mood can change!
5. Attempt to get fully dressed at least every other day.
This tip does NOT apply to the first month after you have a baby. As a c-section mama, I can assure you that I did not put on makeup or style my hair for at least two weeks after having a baby, and I definitely didn’t even attempt to wear anything other than activewear, loose dresses, or pajamas for at least a month. With that being said, it is really, really, really easy to get in the habit of never getting dressed when you have a little one at home with you.
The very last thing I want to do in the morning is put on makeup, pick out an outfit, and style my hair after only getting a few hours of sleep and knowing that I’ll just be spending the day with a little angel who doesn’t care if her mama has lipstick on or not. With that being said, I never regret getting fully dressed after I’m done getting ready. It may not seem like it’s worth the effort at the time, but it always makes me feel more like myself. And the more I feel like me, the better I can be as a mom.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that moms should be fully dressed on a daily basis or even a weekly basis, BUT if you’re starting to feel like your identity is flying out the window, take 20 minutes to get ready and see how you feel. I personally feel 100% better even if I only spend 10 minutes throwing on jeans and a t-shirt, tying my hair into a ponytail, and adding a little bit of BB cream, mascara, and lip balm to my face!
Outfit Details: (under $28 + available in ) | High-Waisted Jeggings (under $30) | Turn Lock Crossbody Bag (under $40 and available in 3 colors) | | Perfect Stud Earrings (on sale) | Engraved Rose Gold Bracelet “Have Courage and Be Kind” (similar and more affordable version + use the code ABN for an additional 10% off) | Tortoiseshell Sunglasses (similar) | Perfect Nude Lipstick + Sheer Rose Lip Gloss c/o |
More than anything – remember that this crazy ride we’re on is a beautiful adventure that will go by way too quickly. As the saying goes, the days are long but the years are short! Your little one deserves every ounce of love you have to give, and adding a self-care routine to your week will help you have even more love to give to them!
I know these tips may not seem like revolutionary information, but they’re honestly the things that have helped me out the most on my little journey into motherhood! Now that you’ve heard my top five self-care tips for new moms, I’d love to know your favorite self-care routine! Whether you like to curl up with a good book, head to the gym, or book an appointment at the spa, I want to know the activities that you feel relaxed and rejuvenated!
GIVEAWAY TIME! I had just bought a second bottle of the CIBU Shine Squad Gloss Drops before Hair Cuttery sent me a new bottle, so I’d love to give my extra bottle to one of my readers! Simply leave a comment below to be entered to win. Winner will be announced in two weeks. Good luck!