Having a baby is one of the most amazing things in the world. Extending your family is beautiful and will completely change the way you live your life. Yet while it is magical, it is also a period of your life when you can feel a bit overwhelmed. You can go from feeling like yourself to being completely consumed by another little human being. Instead of being “you” then you turn into being a Mum and you can feel a bit like you have lost your identity. There is a transition period that needs to happen especially if it is your first time. If you find yourself in a rut and not feeling how you used to, there are some things you can try straight away. Here we take a look at some ways to feel like yourself after having a baby.

Make some time for a pamper day

After going through childbirth and having your new baby, it can be difficult to find five minutes to really relax. Which is where a pamper day can come in. Find a babysitter or leave your other half to look after your baby, grab a friend or head to a local spa on your own. When you are here, book in for a massage and get rid of any tension in your back and shoulders. You can also just take time to swim, relax in a spa or hot tub and read a book away from the distractions of your baby back home. It can really help to reset your mental health. But also just having time alone, to just be, is so important as taking care of a baby is a 24/7 type of job. Relaxing your mind and giving your self a rest will help to make sure you are the best version of yourself when you're with baby.

Take care of yourself

As well as something like a trip to the spa, you should take care of yourself through the little day to day things. This involves trying to have a skincare routine, moisturising with things such as CBD face cream can have relaxing effects (may not be suitable if breastfeeding) and having leisurely baths will give you the self care and relaxation you need. Having pockets of time throughout the day to do things for yourself is so important. Wash your clothes in nice smelling detergent, make yourself a tea and if you have time stretch it to a haircut and manicure. These are all small pamper things that might not seem like it, but they will make a big difference to the way that you feel. Making sure you stick to some of your past routines will help you find a little bit of yourself again.

Arrange some time with friends

Having time with your baby and your husband is all well and good, but sometimes you just need to go out and rediscover the old you. Speak to your best friends and arrange a time that you can spend with them, maybe go out to eat some delicious food or ask them to come over. Not having to worry constantly about baby or even having your friends over while baby is there will help to manage expectations of the new chapter you are about to begin with your friends too. You will feel more free and like yourself and you will also start to see how baby and your new role of motherhood is going to fit into your old relationships.

These are just a few ways that you can help feel like yourself after having a baby. It’s important that you do what you can in order to not lose your identity and remember that while your role is now a Mum, you are still “you” as well. Just doing a few little things for yourself can really help you to feel more like yourself and improve your mental wellbeing. It can be easy to feel 'mum guilt' when you are rediscovering the old you, however it's so important to remember that a happy mum makes a happy baby. What are some things you have done in the past to help after you’ve had a baby? Let us know in the comments below.

Amina xx