Little things that make a big difference.
Those first few weeks (and let’s be honest — months) with a new baby can feel like a blur. You're learning how to care for someone else while trying to remember how to care for yourself. It’s a lot. And in the middle of the diapers, the feedings, and the 3 a.m. wake-ups, your own needs often slide to the back burner.
But self-care doesn't have to be a big production. It can be small, scrappy, and still really meaningful. These are the things that helped me feel a little more like me in those early days — and I hope they help you, too.
1. Drink more water.
It sounds obvious, but it really does help. Hydration can affect everything from your energy to your mood to your milk supply. Keep a big water bottle wherever you usually are (bed, couch, nursery) and sip throughout the day. Add lemon or coconut water if you’re bored of plain.
2. Change your clothes.
Even if it's into fresh pajamas — it counts. Getting out of what you slept in can mentally reset your day. You don’t need a “look.” You just need to feel like a person again.
3. Step outside.
A few minutes of fresh air can be grounding. Whether it's the lanai, your front steps, or a slow walk with the stroller, just being outside helps you feel a little more human.
4. Do one thing for yourself.
Drink your coffee hot(ish). Read one page of a book. Scroll your favorite feed. It doesn’t have to be productive — it just has to be something that's yours.
5. If someone offers help, say yes.
Let them bring food, do dishes, or hold the baby while you shower. No need to host or explain. People want to help — let them.
6. Keep snacks where you need them.
You're taking care of someone around the clock, and it's easy to forget to eat. Keep simple, filling snacks on hand — granola bars, crackers, trail mix — and stash them in places you spend a lot of time.
7. Sit in silence for a minute.
Not everything has to be filled with noise. Take 60 seconds. Close your eyes. Breathe. No phone, no pressure. Just a small pause.
8. Let go of the pressure to "rest."
Not everyone can nap when the baby naps. And honestly? Being told to sleep on command is frustrating. Instead, use those moments for what feels best to you. Watch a show, send a text, eat lunch with two hands. Rest isn’t always about sleep — sometimes it’s about doing something that makes you feel like yourself again.
9. Set up a “mom corner.”
A basket near your usual nursing or feeding spot with snacks, lip balm, hair ties, a phone charger — anything that makes your life easier when you’re stuck under a baby.
10. Batch your chores.
Instead of trying to keep up all day, pick a 15–20 minute window to do whatever's bothering you most (like folding laundry or cleaning bottles). Then be done. Good enough is enough.
11. Take a quick midday reset.
Brush your teeth. Change your shirt. Put your hair up. Spritz your face. Light a candle. Five minutes to freshen up can feel like a reboot.
12. Make a “tiny triumphs” list.
Keep a short list of things that help when you're feeling off — text a friend, stretch, drink water, step outside. When your brain is foggy, just pick one. Let it be easy.
A Gentle Reminder
This isn't about being productive or doing self-care “right.” It’s about finding small ways to reconnect with yourself during a season that can feel overwhelming and nonstop. Some days will feel like wins. Some will feel like survival. Both are normal.
You're not doing it wrong — you're just doing something really, really big. And you deserve care, too.
