Labor and delivery can take a major toll on your body. When you combine that with the stress of caring for a newborn and the lack of sleep, it’s no surprise that many moms experience postpartum fatigue. While it’s very common, there are a few helpful tips that can make dealing with postpartum fatigue a little easier during those early weeks.
First, you’ll hear it from almost everyone: sleep when the baby sleeps. Take this advice and try your best to follow it. Your body has gone through incredible changes over the past nine months and needs time to rest and recover. Even if you can’t fully fall asleep, lie down, close your eyes, and allow your body and mind to relax. The dishes and housework can wait. Practicing self-care after birth is just as important as it was during pregnancy, and giving yourself time to rest can help ease some of the effects of postpartum fatigue.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are not a superwoman, and you shouldn’t feel like you have to do everything on your own. Thankfully, in today’s world there are many services that can make life easier. You can order groceries online and have them delivered, and there are numerous companies that offer healthy premade meals. Taking advantage of these services can make a big difference during those early weeks. In our case, we even hired a housekeeper for the first few months after our baby was born. It was such a relief knowing I didn’t have to worry about keeping up with the house while learning how to care for a newborn.
It’s also important to limit visitors if you need to. Everyone loves cuddling a new baby, but while you’re still adjusting and getting to know your little one, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with visits. It’s perfectly okay to let family and friends know that you’re not quite ready for visitors yet. Setting boundaries during this time is healthy and completely understandable.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. Even though life may feel overwhelming in the moment, things will get better. Accept as much help as you’re comfortable with, and once your baby begins to settle into a routine, slowly start easing back into daily life. Trying to do everything at once after bringing your baby home will only leave you feeling even more exhausted—and your baby can sense that stress too. Raising children truly takes a village, so lean on the people you trust and love. Doing so will make this season of life much more enjoyable and manageable.
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