New mothers are often expected to have everything figured out the moment they bring their newborn home. They’re also expected to be amazing parents from the minute their child first cries, with no need for a few minutes to themselves in between.
That’s a stereotype we’re keen to put a stop to. When a new mother needs a break, she absolutely deserves to be able to take one!
Raising a child is hard, and one of the hardest phases is when they’re only a few days old. Trying to take care of a child this age without any time to yourself just makes the process harder.
And that’s not the only reason mommy-me-time is important.
To Have Some Physical Healing Time
Someone who has just given birth has a lot of physical healing to go through. This isn’t something to underestimate; women’s health is dramatically changed by both pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the postpartum period, and they all can wreak havoc on a mother’s health.
A new mother should be able to take time to themself for this reason alone. They shouldn’t be expected to be fit as a fiddle and in the prime of their life once they’ve stepped out of the birthing pool or left the delivery suite!
To Take Care of Her Mental Health
Mental health is a big concern during new motherhood. Postpartum depression, or ‘baby blues’, is a lot more common than many people think. However, it’s also quite often misunderstood, pushed aside, and not taken seriously.
Suicide is also a much bigger risk for women during the postpartum period. It’s not a nice thing to highlight, but it’s important this is included in the conversation.
Any new mothers who feel they’re undersupported, misunderstood, and like they’re always going to be exhausted and alone, should have access to breaks when they need them. This will allow them time to focus on their mental health, up to and including visiting a therapist who specializes in new motherhood.
To Get Some Rest
Finally, one more massive reason new mothers deserve time to themself: they need some rest! Taking care of a newborn is incredibly tiring, and the rate of sleep deprivation in new mothers is shockingly high.
Having no free time to actually get some sleep, whether this is just for an hour or for half a day or more, can run down a new mother faster than anything else. It can make every other element of life much harder too, and that can add on to the parental guilt that many new parents feel at a time like this!
If all you can see is a messy house, incomplete errands, and it’s been a while since you’ve showered, being a new mother is not going to feel as amazing as it should.
New moms need their own time. If you know a new mother, why not get her a gift and pamper her? She deserves a little treat right now!
