Welcoming your first child, or introducing a new little person into your growing family is one of the most joyful times of your life, but it can also be extremely trying.
Lack of sleep, major adjustments and anxiety about the challenges ahead can all mean that new parents feel a little overwhelmed both during the pregnancy and the first few months of parenthood.
Self-care is that current buzz word which can only seem a distant notion as a new or expecting parent when ‘the self’ comes second. But this is exactly why it’s so important to have some tangible ideas for simple things you can do to make it all a little bit easier.
We’ve also included three top tips from new and expecting parents in the Bonsoir extended family to help you along the way…
Indulge the Senses
Self-care is all about paying attention to what your mind and body needs. We recommend indulging the senses in every aspect. Never underestimate the power of a beautiful home fragrance to help you feel relaxed and revived, as well as soothe the mind and body after a frazzled night’s sleep.
Top Tip: Use an oil reed diffuser to surround yourself with beautiful aromas from morning until night.
Choose citrus, fruity and minty notes for a bit of energy during the day, and lavender scents during the evening to soothe your body into a restful mode.
An uplifting or soothing fragrance will complement a meditative atmosphere and help you to centre both mind and body.
Snuggle Up
Setting your bedroom environment to have the best possible night’s sleep is one of the most important parts of self-care. While you will likely have disturbed nights during the first few months with a newborn, creating a relaxed environment will mean that the sleep you do have will rejuvenate and revitalise body and mind.
Start with finding some comfortable and comforting fabrics to get cosy. This counts for both your sleepwear/nightwear and bedding itself.
Top Tip: Silk is a breathable, naturally hypoallergenic fabric that that is kind to both your and your baby’s skin. Invest in silk pillowcases and sheets to support a solid night’s sleep.
Finding the Perfect Sleepwear
When it comes to what you wear against your own skin, choosing lovely, luxury fabrics for both your day and nightwear is such an essential part of self-care for new parents.
Top Tip: As new parents, we are constantly focused on the needs of our children which means we sometimes don’t even have time to get dressed until later in the day. Treat yourselves to some quality loungewear to make you feel confident and look good all day and night.
Choose a classic brushed cotton or cotton modal fabric for a flexible fit and comfortable feel, that's also smart enough to answer the door in.
Any parents will also know that functionality is key, even in a luxury garment – for mums we love this soft pink jersey nursing shawl as it is tailored towards fuss-free breastfeeding at home or when you’re out and about. Ideal for those mums who are a little nervous about nursing and want to enjoy a comfortable, stylish and flattering product with a design tailored towards no-fuss feeding.
As new parents, we must remember to take care of our babies and ourselves. We hope that this post has given you some good insight into how self-care can be done easily and effectively to boost your mood, energy, and quality of sleep. It’s also good to weave a bit of luxury in our lives wherever possible.
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We hope that you enjoy the blog posts, our website and our collections. Please click here to browse our maternity and nursing collection with a range of stylish and comfortable products for new mums. We welcome any feedback – please feel free to email us at customerservices@bonsoirbypost.com or connect with us on social media.