Routines are good for us. They’re good for our brains and our mental health, and while new moms often find themselves tossing around sleepless nights, feeding early in the morning, and prioritizing the little one above all else, a routine can be the ‘boost you need to face the unknown. You don’t have to have everything perfect to reap the benefits, but a few small choices here and there can make the difference between a good morning and a great morning. Here are 10 easy ways to create an intentional morning routine as a new mom.
1. Be realistic
Ignore Instagram and TikTok momfluencers who think they know better than you. You don’t have to get up early, drink only lemon water and do five hours of yoga to be in tune with yourself and have a productive morning. Not only is comparison the thief of joy, it could also instill in you unrealistic thoughts about what your morning routine should look like.
Your routine should suit you and your baby. If getting up at 10am is what you need, then that’s the time your day should start. The same goes for 5 in the morning. Only you know what you can achieve and do with confidence. Don’t think that every dish has to be washed and every load of laundry has to be done on the same day. Dedicate your morning to waking up full and calm. There are only so many hours in the day, and those hours can feel even more limited with a newborn. Be realistic and don’t stress over the little things.
2. Ask for help
A little extra help during the first few weeks of your little one’s life can help you settle into motherhood. For some of us, that means enlisting the help of friends and family, but not all of us are so lucky. Even if he hires a cleaner once a month or a babysitter so you can catch up on a nap or go to the grocery store untethered, don’t be afraid to ask. No mother is an island, and we often need help to feel safe and productive in our routine, even if we are reluctant to ask for it.
3. Do something just for you
many mothers to suggest waking up before your little one, just so you can have some time to yourself; there’s always time for a nap later. Whether it’s prayer or meditation, light physical activity or even making yourself a great cup of coffee, doing something just for you can start your day and give you a little taste of time “me”.
4. Make sure you eat
Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, nutrition is key to your successful recovery. You’ve gone through a major physical change, and feeding your body the nutrients it needs can better support your postpartum health. Your hormones have been fluctuating in recent weeks, and you’re probably feeling stressed or anxious from lack of sleep, stimulating your cortisol production.
consider starting your day with a balanced breakfast, specifically a source of protein and moderate to limited carbohydrates. Make sure you stay hydrated and keep taking your prenatal vitamin, even though you’re now in the “fourth trimester.”
Start the day with a balanced breakfast, specifically a source of protein and moderate to limited carbohydrates.
5. Spend some quiet time
There’s plenty of time in the day for music, podcasts, TV shows, and playtime, but with a newborn in the house, you don’t want to overstimulate him and interrupt his naps and sleep cycle too. Spend the morning taking a leisurely walk, reading a book, or singing softly to them while rocking. It’s the perfect way for baby to wake up, and also a comfortable and relaxing way to start the morning.
6. Get moving
Exercise reduces stress and helps you sleep better, both of which you can use as a new mom. If you had a particularly stressful birth, be sure to check with your care provider beforehand, but light physical activity is recommended for postpartum recovery.
There’s also no need to join Crossfit or sign an intimidating gym contract. Keep it nice and fun. Lift weights, take your baby for a walk, and get outside to get some vitamin D.
7. Keep it simple
While there is pressure on your body to “bounce back” pre-baby, that pressure isn’t usually conducive to a good recovery, especially when it comes to mental health. Every woman is different, meaning every recovery will be different. Some moms lose the weight they gained during pregnancy right away, and for others it may take longer.
Also, many moms struggle with postpartum depression or anxiety, while others may not have any issues at all. The most important thing is that you are in control of your emotions. Try journaling, even if it’s just a few sentences. Or just make it a priority to shower, brush your teeth and eat regularly. These things can help you get into a simple routine, especially since many of the basics are easily forgotten as a new mom with a baby at home. Your routine doesn’t have to be timed to the minute to be meaningful and worthwhile.
8. Get organized
Ideally, your nesting instinct kicks in before your baby arrives, but a great way to streamline your morning routine is to organize your home. Make sure your bedroom, nursery, kitchen and other key places have everything you need before you need it.
Make sure the key places you’ll be spending time have everything you need before you need it.
A good way to put this into practice is to keep a “mom’s cart” in your bedroom or living room, where most mothers live during the first few weeks with a newborn. Stock a three-tiered cart with everything you need: diapers, wipes, and diaper cream for baby, a water bottle for you, snacks if you’re breastfeeding, and other essentials like clean nursing bras, bottles, pacifiers, nursing pads, blankets, socks and burp cloths. Customize your mom cart to your liking, keep your most-used items stocked and replenished frequently, and let your worries flow.
9. Keep external pressure to a minimum
All your friends and family will want to come down to your house to see your new addition. And while their snuggles, meals, and extra pairs of hands may be welcome some days, other days you might not feel it as much. Ask for the help you need, but keep the rest to a minimum. If you prefer, you can even designate a two-hour window in the morning or afternoon for your visitors to come through. This prevents friends and random aunties from popping up unexpectedly (in an ideal world) and allows you to dedicate your morning routine to just you and your baby.
10. Limit the bad, accentuate the good
If you know social media or watching the news will trigger a wave of anxiety, keep the TV off and your phone in another room for at least a few hours each morning. Take advantage of contact naps and feeding times and leave the chores to your husband or at least until the afternoon. Read or listen to an audiobook, hydrate frequently, and take care of both your mind and body. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the newness of motherhood, remember that you’re not expected to know what to do right away. Much of this will come with time and there is a learning curve to having a baby. Enjoy the sweet sights, smells and sounds and cherish your first days as a mother.
Closing thoughts
There is no right or wrong way to go about your mornings as a new mom. Mornings can be difficult after sleepless nights and postpartum hormones wreaking havoc on your body, but the time to start building routines is early. We know that routines boost our cognitive function as well as our confidence, and if there’s one thing we need as new moms, it’s reassurance in our own instinctive abilities.
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