So we all hear the stories of the Mumma’s who “bounced right back with breastfeeding,” but for some, it’s not so easy. For some Mumma’s the stress of a newborn, combined with lack of sleep and space to get back to feeling “yourself,” let alone finding the time to work out. This can lead to a serious decline in mental health and self-image when you catch a glance of yourself in the mirror and realise that trim body you once had, has taken a leave of absence.
Why are women so caught up in trying to get back in shape and freaking out cause their shape has changed so much? Well, I want you to close your eyes, breathe in, hold for seven, and breathe out to a count of ten. Repeat as needed. Why did I want you to do this? Because we need to let go! All of us.
Let me ask you, why does it matter if you now have a few stretch marks? Why does it matter that our size 8 jeans don’t fit anymore, is the next size up in clothing such a drama? Why!? Why do we place so much attention on how we look after we have a kid? I tell you to go and have a look at your new bub, really look, and ask yourself does your size matter? Does bub care? your health, both physical and mental, is more important than your physical size. No, I’m not saying completely let yourself go and live on doritos and krispy kreme’s (at least not all the time 😜), but taking your time to get yourself back together is the important part, more so than your actual size.
That’s not to say you want to forget about your body at all, our image can play quite a part of our self-esteem and how we feel about ourselves. What do I mean by this? get out in nature, put bub in his/her stroller and go for a walk. Meet up with other mumma’s, your own mother, or even grandmothers if that’s feasible for you. Have a talk with baby daddy about changing the direction of your overall health as a family. This may include an evening walk together, planning healthy meals, maybe meal prepping healthy food together for when bub is throwing a hissy and you haven’t got time for self-care. This is when time will get away from you: when the laundry needs to be done, vacuuming hasn’t been done in three weeks, dishes overflowing from the dishwasher, bed not made, all bub’s onesies are on the washing line. This is when you need those pre-prepped meals ready to roll.
Now, on to some mental health tips while we’re at it. They say yoga (and yes, I am actually a qualified YTT so I feel ok saying this) is awesome for your mental health. Myself, I adore mat time, especially that śavāsana at the end. Well, rather than bub screaming the place down, place him/her in a bouncer beside you, OR, include him/her!!! Yes, you can place bub on your mat, give him/her a quick tummy nuzzle when you lower down in chaturanga, put bub on your stomach when you push up in bridge or use bub as added weight when you transition between poses.
There are plenty of small ways you can change up your lifestyle to fit in some healthy habits around your new bub, even if it is only small steps at a time. So fear not; as they say ‘the days are long but the years are short,” enjoy this time with your new bub rather than focussing on something that when we’re in our 60’s and enjoying our grandchildren running around, cause your size 8 jeans won’t mean so much anymore.
