Tips for your mental health
Tip #1: Talk about your feelings
Tip #1: Talk about your feelings
Speak to your partner or talk to your friends and family about how you feel. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Talking through your worries can help a great deal.
Tip #2: Sing along
Tip #2: Sing along
Your baby loves music and singing can help lift your mood too. The Scottish Book Trust have a series of online Book Bug sessions running at the moment. The online sessions have songs, rhymes and dances to get you and your baby moving. There are also calming soothing songs too so you can choose what best suits the mood of you and your baby. Finish off with Storytime and snuggle up to a book.
Tip #3: Rest
Tip #3: Rest
Getting enough rest whilst looking after a new baby is so important but it can be really hard to do. If you are ready to accept help from others this can make help. So does eating well and trying to sleep when your baby sleeps. These can all make a huge difference to your energy levels.
Tip #4: Take it a day at a time
Tip #4: Take it a day at a time
At the moment it might feel like life is changing rapidly. Try not to spend too much time looking at the news and social media as this can feel overwhelming. Try making a time limit for how much time you spend online and stick to trusted news sources. The Scottish Government and NHS Inform provides the latest advice and information about coronavirus.
Tip #5: Understanding your relationship with your baby
Tip #5: Understanding your relationship with your baby
Being a new mum is a journey and life with a new baby changes every day. Your baby is constantly watching and listening to the world around them. Every day they learn something new from you and you will find you learn from them too. As your relationship grows you will find it easier to pick up on your baby's cues. Talk and touch help your baby feel warm, secure and loved. Ready Steady Baby has lots of advice for getting to know your new baby.
Tip #6: Don’t worry about being a supermum
Tip #6: Don’t worry about being a supermum
Mums often put extra pressure on themselves. Try to cut yourself some slack and accept that looking after your baby is a full time job! Everyone in the household may not manage to get all the housework done all the time. As long as your baby is happy and healthy, you are doing a great job.