When you combine these major changes with a lack of sleep and hormones, your health can suffer, and stress levels can go through the roof. For new moms, managing stress is crucial to ensuring that both you and your baby can bond and enjoy all that life has to offer.

So, what are some helpful and manageable tips for new moms to cut down on their stress levels?

1. Sleep

With a newborn, it’s easy for new moms to feel like they will never sleep again. Sleeping when you have a baby can seem impossible. Although sleep often takes a back burner in our busy lives, it’s critical for good health. Sleep is as important as getting enough water and nutrients.

A lack of sleep can worsen maternal health outcomes and severely strain relationships. Here are a few helpful tips for getting a little bit more shut-eye and managing your stress levels:

• Realize that yes, your baby will someday sleep through the night and you will again, too. When you’re in the thick of newborn-induced sleep deprivation, it can seem hopeless that things will never change, but they will. All babies eventually learn to sleep through the night.

• Sleep when the baby sleeps. You’ve probably heard this before, and it might seem infuriating on the surface. You have laundry to do, dinner to cook, and maybe older children or family members to care for and that can only get done when the baby naps. Try to nap with the baby instead of using this quiet time to get more work done. Sleep is critical for your health.

• Work out a nighttime feeding schedule with your partner so you can get a little bit more sleep at night.

Tip - If you're having trouble falling asleep, consider trying a weighted blanket. They can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. 

2. Eat Healthy Meals and Stay Hydrated

Healthy foods and protein-rich snacks can give you energy. Try not to overload on caffeine because this can dehydrate you and make you feel more tired. Instead, make sure to drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is especially crucial if you’re breastfeeding.

You may also consider taking multivitamins or magnesium supplements to help you get more restorative sleep and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

3. Exercise

You don’t have to do long, vigorous workouts. Going on a walk with your baby can help energize you and will give you more stamina. Low impact exercises are best for new moms.

4. Be Kind to Yourself

It’s normal to feel a wave of overwhelming emotions as a new mom. The lack of sleep, coupled with the responsibility of caring for a tiny, helpless human being is enough to make even the most stoic of women emotional and stressed.

It’s a myth that motherhood comes “naturally” to women simply because they’ve given birth. Know that experiencing the “baby blues” is a normal part of motherhood and be kind to yourself during this period in your life.

If the baby blues last more than two weeks after giving birth, and symptoms seem to be worsening, this could be a sign of postpartum depression (PPD). PPD is a common disorder and affects up to 20% of new moms. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of PPD, please speak to your physician asap. PPD is a highly treatable condition.

5. Ask for Help

New moms aren’t superhumans and caring for a newborn is a 24/7 job that no single human being can do on their own. Enlist the help of older children to do age-appropriate things for the baby, like heating a bottle, mixing formula, or handing mom a diaper when the baby needs to be changed. Partners can take over some of the night feedings and manage some of the household chores and cooking.

6. Set Boundaries

Friends and loved ones will all want to see the baby soon after a new mom gives birth. But this can be extremely overwhelming, and a lot of new moms are not in a position for socializing. Schedule a time for visits or set visiting hours that makes sense for you and your baby so you’re not so stressed when loved ones want to meet the baby.

Having a baby is like putting your life in a blender. Eventually, the wild ride will stop, and your life will return to a new sense of normal. For new moms, it’s critical to manage stress and realize that the most important thing for them to do is take care of themselves and their newborn.

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