Becoming a parent for the first time is wonderful in many ways, but it can be daunting and overwhelming as well. This means that maintaining mental wellness as a new mother can be difficult, especially if you’re raising your child alone.
If you connect with any of these common challenges for new parents, take a look at the strategies for maintaining mental wellbeing and ensure that you’re doing all you can to stay positive and protected.
Common challenges for new parents
Postnatal depression
Also known as the ‘baby blues’, 1 in 10 women experience postnatal depression within a year of giving birth. Antenatal depression affects an equal proportion of new mums. Both can incite anxiety, panic attacks, low energy and withdrawal, making it difficult to look after yourself and the baby.
Mothers who have a challenging childbirth experience sometimes suffer postnatal PTSD and birth trauma, especially if doctors and midwives fail to notice or prepare for the difficulties. In cases of negligent care, you could pursue financial compensation to help you navigate the emotional fallout.
Isolation
A sudden loss of social routine often makes new mothers feel isolated, particularly if they work right up to the end of the pregnancy or go into labour earlier than expected and have no time to prepare.
This separation from others can leave you feeling disconnected from friends and family and detached from your old self, uncertain of who you are outside of motherhood. This can lead to loneliness and even depression and make it hard to reach out to people for help.
Unbalanced routine
As well as losing your normal social activities, your general lifestyle is likely to become unbalanced too. This includes eating different foods at different times, struggling to exercise and a lack of rest.
An unbalanced routine can create a sense of stress that you’re conscious of or that affects your body without you being aware. This can make you unsettled, tense and even tearful on a day-to-day basis.
Strategies for maintaining mental wellbeing
Reserve time for self-care
Firstly and most importantly, new mothers must reserve time for self-care. This can seem impossible when you’re tending to the needs of a newborn, but make it your second priority.
Lean on others where possible to take moments to look after yourself. This might be as simple as having a hot bath and watching an episode of your favourite show, or getting an hour of fresh air.
Seek support
Secondly, seek support. This might include enlisting a parent or partner to assist with caring for your baby, or reaching out to professionals for home visits and expert advice. When your child is old enough, mother-baby activity groups are a great way to stay connected with others and share your experiences of first-time motherhood.
You can also find useful information online from reliable sources, outlining how to cope with common challenges and what to do if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Prioritise nourishment
Lastly, prioritise nourishment wherever possible. It can be physically and emotionally draining coping with a lack of sleep with a newborn, so make sure you’re taking all opportunities to rest. Eating whole foods packed with nutrients and treating yourself to your favourite meals will also help you boost your brain and body.
When you’re ready, venture back into exercise with gentle activities like walking or yoga. Movement can be incredibly soothing and grounding in situations where you feel like you’re spiralling out of control.
