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Discover different activities that can help you take steps toward better mental health.

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Find Connection

Connecting with others can ease stress, lift your mood, and strengthen your mental health. Find simple opportunities to reach out and feel supported.

Showing 1–3 of 3 results for “Your Mental Health As A New Mother" and "Find Connection”

Communicate With Your Partner

Reduce Stress Find Connection
Communicate With Your Partner

If you co-parent your baby with someone else, it's important for both of you to remain as open and communicative with each other as possible. This will benefit your baby's well-being, as well as your own.

Here are some tips for communicating with the baby's other parent:

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    Be specific when you ask for help, whether that's with help changing a diaper, taking over for dinner time, or taking space to be alone.

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    Don't wait until a moment of distress to communicate your needs. It's best to have regular check-ins together about feelings, and to coordinate schedules and tasks.

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    Take time to enjoy life apart from the baby, whether that's as a couple or independently.

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    Talk about splitting responsibilities sooner rather than later. Preparing for the many aspects of baby care before the baby arrives can make the process smoother for everyone. Do your best to be flexible, but also honor your commitments.

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    If your personal relationship is tense and impacting the baby's well-being, it could be time to consider therapeutic support.

Related Emotions, Moods, & Life Challenges

Bond With Baby

Care for Your Mind + Body Find Connection
Bond With Baby

Bonding with a new baby looks different for every mom. It's common to feel a mix of emotions around your relationship with your child, including pressure, overwhelm, numbness, and worry. Your feelings do not define your ability to be a good mom or diminish the love you have for your baby. Like any relationship, connection and closeness grows over time. Connection doesn't have to mean constant physical touch or interaction. If you're feeling anxious about separating from your baby, remember that you aren't meant to care for your baby all on your own. It's beneficial to your well-being to allow other trusted people in your support system to help care for the baby so you can take care of yourself and have breaks.

Connection also grows over time.

If you feel disconnected from your baby, know this is common and doesn't reflect how much you love your child. If it feels comfortable, take time to hold your baby skin-to-skin. There are plenty of other meaningful ways to connect with your baby:

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    Read a short book together or tell your baby stories

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    Sing your favorite songs and nursery rhymes

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    Make eye contact with your baby and mimic their gestures

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    Speak to your baby, whether by repeating their sounds or having a conversation

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    Simply spend time in the same room with your baby while you do something restorative for yourself (reading, listening to music, cleaning, or just breathing)

Related Emotions, Moods, & Life Challenges

Connection

Take Care of Yourself While Caring for Others Find Connection Focus on Positivity
Connection

In the early days of motherhood, support and empathy from your community can be revitalizing. Avoid being alone or focused on just baby for too long. Sharing the load with others allows you to stay connected without having to carry everything yourself. Other mothers can be a powerful source of empathy and strength. Consider connecting with other moms through peer support and community groups or reaching out to moms already in your social circles. This is a good time to have vulnerable conversations with your support system about what you feel, need, and want in this stage. It can help to collaborate with people in your life for specific things, like chores, transportation, and other needs. When you can, spend intentional time with people who make you feel understood and supported.

Related Emotions, Moods, & Life Challenges

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