Self Care in the Early Weeks Isn't a Bubble Bath, It's the Basics!

The early weeks with a new baby can feel all-consuming. Feeding, settling, broken sleep, it's a lot. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, you're also expected to recover physically and adjust emotionally.

Self-care in this phase isn't about long baths or getting back to your old routines. It's about the basics you need just to replenish and recover from birth, while adapting to motherhood at the same time.

I wasn't very good at this myself

I remember as a new mum I felt I had to do it all. Even though my husband was so supportive, I was a martyr about it. I wouldn't go for naps in the day. I said yes to visitors who were eager to meet our new baby. I felt I had to turn up to Mother's group, social events, catch ups.

If I'm being honest, I felt I had to show "I've got this!", even on the days I just wanted to stay in my PJs and switch off from the 24/7 responsibility of being "mum."

It's the simple daily things that make the biggest difference. Here's what I'd tell my younger self.

Rest where you can

I know this sounds impossible in the early weeks, but if you can rest when your baby is napping, it makes a huge difference for the night shift. This doesn't always mean sleep. Lying down, resting, or just reducing stimulation counts too. Put your phone away, and let your body and mind actually recover.

Eat and drink regularly

It's very easy to forget. Keep simple, nourishing food within reach and a water bottle nearby, especially if you're breastfeeding. Many mums set up a tray beside their feeding chair with a jug of water and snacks. Make restocking it (or getting your partner to) part of the morning routine, so there's no excuse not to hydrate and eat every time your baby does.

Lower your expectations

The house doesn't need to be tidy. Messages don't need replying to straight away. Your job right now is to recover from birth and learn the fundamentals of being a mum. Caring for your baby is the equivalent of around three full-time jobs, not a 40-hour work week. Treat it that way.

Accept help, even if it feels uncomfortable to ask

I wish I'd taken my own advice here. It doesn't need to be help with your baby specifically, it could be meals, laundry, click and collect, or just company. But it's also okay to ask someone you trust to cuddle your baby for an hour during the day while you catch up on sleep, if that's what you need.

Look after your own body

Whether you've had a vaginal birth or a caesarean, your body needs time to recover. Pain, fatigue, and discomfort are common, but that doesn't mean you should just push through them. There's also the depletion side of it. So many mums are running on empty in the postpartum period. Labour is physical. A caesarean is surgery. And yet we're handed our babies and expected to hit the ground running, straight through the dehydration, blood loss, physical toll of labour, fasting, and sleep deprivation. Your body needs actual time.

Stay connected

It's easy to feel isolated once you become a mum. Life changes rapidly, your days roll into one, and sometimes you don't have the energy for company. A quick message to a friend or loved one is often all it takes. Just as importantly, try to stay off your phone when your baby is sleeping. Tiredness leads to a lack of focus and mindless scrolling, and before you know it, an hour has passed where you could have connected with someone or actually rested, and you did neither.

If things feel harder than expected, physically or emotionally, please reach out. Support early on can change your experience significantly.

You don't need to do this perfectly. You just need to get through this phase feeling healthy and supported.

You don't have to hold all of this on your own

Recovering from birth, learning your baby, and keeping yourself fed and rested is already a full load. Add in conflicting advice and no one checking in on how you're actually doing, and it's no wonder this stage feels heavy.

Inside the Best Start Breastfeeding Membership, you get more than just breastfeeding content. The Hospital & Postnatal Survival Guide helps you navigate the real postnatal period, not just feeding, so you know what to expect and how to protect your own recovery alongside your baby's needs. You'll also have weekly group calls and a community of mums who genuinely get what this stage feels like, so you're never sitting with a hard day entirely on your own.

You get 12 months of access for one payment of $299, or $70/month if you'd rather spread it out.

Join the Best Start Breastfeeding Membership

If things feel harder than you expected, reach out. You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to wait until it feels unmanageable to ask for support.

Eve Coote Best Start Lactation — "Evidence-based breastfeeding support for you and your baby."