LIFE AFTER BIRTH: The Self Care Series

Let's face it, it is far too easy to lose yourself once you become a mom. It doesn't matter how long you've been a mom, you are no longer the same woman you were before you gave birth. Everyone and everything else becomes a priority before you.

Everyone will tell you to "make sure you find time for yourself" but do they ever tell you how? Allow me to help. This series is dedicated to sharing self- care and self-love tips to put the pep back in your step, the sparkle back in your eyes when you smile, and joy back in your voice! We'll also feature moms who have found the balance, in our 'Mom Spotlights'. Now, some moms bounce back right after birth, but we can't all be so lucky.

10 TIME SAVING TIPS FOR NEW MOMS

1. Designate a day of the week for your partner to cook, to order take out, or meal prep. It will give you one less item on your daily to-do list and save you a lot of stress. It will also free up time to focus on other things (a bubble bath maybe?).

2. Speaking of food, keep an on-going grocery list! When you remember you need an item add to your digital grocery list on your phone. Once your in the grocery store, you can be in and out because you know exactly what you need.

3. *BONUS TIP* Order online when possible. You'll save time by avoiding lines at the store altogether!

4. Set your bills to auto-pay! You're exhausted. You haven't been checking your emails or responding to calendar notifications. It easy to miss a due date, or two. Setting your bills to auto-pay allows you to secure your new family's financial future.

5. ESTABLISH A ROUTINE! Routines are essential to time saving. Your entire family will benefit from one. Your baby will thrive with order. When you need a break, its easier for your partner to step in and take over because they already know what to do! Routines take the guess work out of your day and give you something to look forward (mom time while the kids are napping??)

6. Set up multiple diaper stations. If you are limited on space, have a main changing station in your nursery or bedroom. Then have a stash of diapers, wipes, and diaper cream hidden in multiple rooms. Running around looking for supplies when your baby has a blow out is no fun, this is definitely save you extra time cleaning up messes and doing laundry.

7. If you are nursing, BUY A PUMPING BRA! Whether you are exclusively pumping or only in between feedings, you're still likely to spend hours a day pumping. With a pumping bra you are now hands free and can get to other tasks that you normally wouldn't able to.

8. Take a bath with your baby. Talk about killing two birds with one stone! When I'm in a rush, I bathe with my almost 3 year old and one year old.

9. Post it. Like Mama Erykah Badu said, " ". Get a wall calendar, dry erase or cork board, and plan/schedule out your time. Write out the details of your responsibilities, seeing them helps keep you accountable.

10. Keep a bag packed! Either a mommy bag or a baby bag packed and close to your front door. In an emergency, you'll have everything you need for you and your baby. This makes it easier to tend to the emergency at hand. Not to mention, getting prepared for outings just got a lot easier!

I hope these tips will help a mom in need.

*DISCLAIMER: if you are having thoughts of self-harm or harming your baby, or even just the 'baby blues' please reach out.