It does not matter if you are a seasoned mama or a first-time mom. Having family, friends or some kind of support system is so important after bringing baby home. Sometimes it may feel like you are all alone. Let's take a look at what you can do to create great connections for both you and your baby.
Maybe your spouse works long hours and is not able to help out very much. Maybe you do not have a spouse and are trying to make things work all by yourself. Maybe you have broken off most of your friendships, and no longer have that “person” you can go to. Maybe your family lives hours away and is not able to come over at a moments notice. These are all tough situations.
Where do you find a support system? Hopefully you DO have family close by, friends who can stop in, and a spouse who is able to help out with all the new things a baby in the house brings. But if you do not there are people out there to help and support you during this exciting new time with baby! Here are a few resources available in communities to help ease the stress and load for new moms.
- Look into your local church
- Find a Pregnancy Center in your town or near-by
- Look in to support groups in your area
- Get involved with your local community events
These connections will ultimately allow you to meet new people and find amazing people willing to fill in those gaps where you may need help.
Why is this important? Sometimes we as moms and dads get so focused on taking care of that sweet little baby in our arms, that we forget to take care of ourselves. When is the last time you took a couple hours to do something YOU enjoy? (And no, going to the grocery store by yourself does not count 😊) While being a parent and taking care of your child is your responsibility, it is also important to keep yourself healthy as well; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Below are a few ways to help keep you in “tip top” shape so you can best care for your little one.
Go For a Walk. Get outside and into the sunshine! Even if it’s a short walk down your street, light physical activity is great for post-partum moms and stroller walks are great for putting baby to sleep. If you live in a neighborhood, this may be a place you can meet other parents. It will not take long to spot another stroller, and you may even find a new walking partner. If you can find someone to join you on your walks, it may be a good way to talk about the ups and down of being a parent. This kind of discussion is healthy and empowering.
Find A Church. Sure, physical activity is a fantastic way to keep yourself healthy but keeping your emotional and spiritual health in check is just as important. This is also a wonderful place to meet new people if you are someone, like mentioned above, who may not have as many “people” close by to help out in the day to day. There are often groups, Bible studies, etc. that meet throughout the week and is a terrific way to keep you involved and getting out every now and again. Many churches have groups specifically for moms and often provide onsite care for baby to make the weekly visit one of ease.
Pregnancy Centers. You probably aren’t thinking about being pregnant again if you’ve just had a baby but centers like this offer more than just pregnancy services. Regardless of what stage your baby is in, you could probably use some adult interaction. Pregnancy Centers, like us here at PLC Health Clinic offer pregnancy AND parenting classes and are an avenue for parents to get out and have some adult communication while also getting to talk to people who have “been there, done that” with all things pregnancy and parenting. This is a wonderful way to keep yourself involved.
Contact us today at 419-238-9177 to hear more about the services we can offer as a new mom to keep those connections alive and to create new.
*Resources available upon request
