There is an assumption that new moms must always be brimming with pride and joy, but the reality is that almost all women experience a drop in their self-esteem in some way after giving birth. Pregnancy, giving birth, and becoming a mother for the first time will change your life forever, and while many of those ways are wonderful, others are less comfortable. Some women struggle to embrace their new body; others lose touch with their friends or worry about balancing motherhood with their career. If you are a proud new mommy who is feeling unsure or insecure, here are five ways to boost your self-esteem.
- Connect with other new moms
It can be helpful to know that you are not alone in the way you feel, so seek out other new moms who you can share your worries with and ask questions of. There are lots of forums, chatrooms, and social media accounts which bring new moms together to support each other and share their experiences.
- Keep doing what you are good at
When a woman becomes a mom, her baby becomes her whole world, and almost all her time is spent ensuring the baby has everything he or she needs to thrive. This is right and natural, but it can mean that moms push their own interests and talents to the bottom of the list. Over time, moms can lose sight of what makes them an individual and can feel that they have little to offer other than being a mom. Whether it is your career, sport, or a hobby, keep doing something whatever makes you feel good about yourself as much as you can.
- Look after your health
If you do not look after your physical health, you will feel drained of energy and will not look your best. Try to get as much sleep as you can as this will give your body time to heal and rejuvenate, as well as giving your skin a healthy glow. Eat a diet which is fresh and rich in nutrients and drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day. You will have more energy, and your skin and hair will be in better condition, and your immune system will be stronger. In addition, it is important to eat well if you are breastfeeding to ensure your baby gets essential nutrients.
- Revamp your hair
Spending time washing, nourishing, and styling your hair can feel like an indulgence when you have a baby, but clean and healthy hair is an important part of self-care. Consider washing your hair in the evening when the baby is asleep, as this will save you time in the morning. Choose a low-maintenance hairstyle, visit julia-lampard.co.uk for some inspiration, or tie up long hair in an up-do. If you are completely out of time before heading out, try some dry shampoo.
- Use makeup as a quick fix
If getting enough sleep seems a distant dream right now, don’t be afraid to use makeup as a quick fix if you are not feeling your best. There are lots of light foundations or tinted moisturizers which can give you an even color without being too heavy or laborious to apply. A little white eyeshadow on the inner corner of your eyelid can make you look more awake, and a touch of blusher on your cheeks can give you a healthy glow. Makeup can also help to cover stretch marks and scars if you are particularly self-conscious about your post-pregnancy body.