Advice for New Moms: The Importance of Physical and Mental Health

Having a baby breaks a woman in a hundred different ways, and when you work on putting yourself back together, you will never be quite the same. Firstly, there are the physical differences from pregnancy. Other changes are hormonal, emotional, mental, and personal. Your perspective on the world will likely shift, and your priorities may adjust. With the help of a supportive partner and community, new moms do not need to process these shifts alone. McKinney Christian Counseling offers compassionate, faith-based support to help mothers navigate this transition with grace, encouragement, and strength.

Advice for New Moms

Take care of your physical health

After 40 weeks (give or take a few) of growing and carrying a baby inside of you, you now enter the post-partum season. The first three months of the baby’s life are also your first three months. For example, your body needs time to heal after any significant medical event. Pregnancy is a major medical event.

Rest

The baby sleeps a lot, and you sleep a lot. Fatigue is a normal part of any healing, and as the baby goes through its first year of life, its sleep schedule will change several times. This naturally impacts your sleep as well.

Eat

The baby eats a lot, and you should focus on food that is healing and comforting to your body.

Exercise

Talk to your doctor about pelvic floor therapy to help the muscles in your legs and abdomen recover strength. If you had a C-section, be mindful of the instructions they gave you for recovery.

Hydrate well and accept any offers of help that come your way. You do not need to take on major physical tasks in the early days of motherhood.

Take care of your mental health

Ask any mother, and she will tell you she has a hundred things on her mind at any moment. You may have noticed signs of “mom brain” during pregnancy like forgetfulness and distraction. That will only increase in your days as a mother.

If there is one piece of advice I would give to mothers, it is this: you forget so many things because now you have to be the prefrontal cortex (or rational decision-maker) for this young thing for the next twenty or so years. That is in addition to doing this for yourself. Your brain functions over time and will compensate by dismissing unnecessary information.

As you adjust to this role, having a mental health professional is a valuable resource. Counselors help you process all the thoughts and feelings that may overwhelm you daily. They can also help you sort through the myriads of advice doled out by family, friends, and strangers.

Another benefit to having a counselor is that they have the training to notice the signs of post-partum depression. While the range of depression is varied, it is always a serious thing. Having a counselor looking out for you in this way lifts the burden from others and gives you access to the help you need when needed.

New Moms in Other Circumstances

While we tend to think of new moms with newborns, many become moms through adoption or other circumstances. The advice for new moms above still applies to you. Take care of your physical and mental health. Allow a period of adjustment, find a supportive community, and connect with a Christian counselor in McKinney, Texas.

No matter how or at what age you become a mother, it will undoubtedly change you. With compassionate care, you can make that transition with grace. Contact our office today at McKinney Christian Counseling in Texas to learn more about how a counselor in McKinney, Texas can help you during this transition.