The wonderful but exhausting experience of pregnancy, birth, and then caring for a newborn is something that can knock anyone around. Learning to navigate this crazy little thing called motherhood, especially for the first time, has its physical, mental, and emotional challenges,  and learning to adjust to your new role as a caregiver can take a hot minute. 

Never fear, though; navigating the rollercoaster of ups and downs, postpartum depression, mood swings, and joys can be done. We’ve pulled together six tips and tricks to help you mentally and emotionally navigate motherhood as a first-time mom and prepare for the ride of your life. 

Preparing beforehand

Nesting is an instinct that occurs in animals and humans. It’s defined as a strong urge to prepare a safe and comfortable space for new babies by cleaning, organizing, and preparing the environment during the last few weeks or months of pregnancy. This can manifest as an urge to get the nursery ready, shopping to ensure baby supplies are on hand like nappies or formula, or thoroughly cleaning. 

A nesting urge may come naturally, but it is also perfectly normal not to experience it. Nesting is a great way to prepare physically for the arrival of your baby, but there are also other nesting things expectant mothers can do to help emotionally prepare themselves. 

Ask other parents for advice

They say word of mouth is the most credible and powerful way to receive recommendations, so seeking advice from other parents can set you up for success. Friends and family often paint a more realistic view of parenthood than what you see online, and it can help alleviate concerns you may be having.

Research motherhood

The world is not short on books, podcasts, or blogs relating to motherhood. If you so fancy, do your research before your baby’s arrival, as you may find yourself short on time once they arrive, and the mental and emotional preparation these resources provide can be incredibly useful. 

Prepare postpartum supplies

Postpartum can be difficult, and it brings many mothers mental comfort to prepare themselves as best they can before giving both. This may include purchasing sanitary pads, period underwear, and gel ice packs to relieve any after-birth pain, breast pads, nipple cream, or meal prepping to ensure everyday routines can continue as easily as possible.

Establishing an everyday routine

Establishing a daily routine can help your baby thrive by fulfilling their needs and providing assurance, all while helping maintain your sanity. Feeding, changing, and sleeping are the three key aspects of a good baby routine, but also be sure to include some time for self-care in the schedule to give yourself a break. Although routine is considered good and will offer stability in the chaos, it is also important to remember that some flexibility is required. Babies can be unpredictable – what has worked for weeks on end may suddenly become useless – and you need to be prepared for this. 

Looking after your health

Spending every moment looking after someone dependent on you can push some things to the wayside, including your health. It is important, however, to continue to look after yourself too, if not for the physical benefits, but to help you adjust to your new identity as a mother. 

Eating nutritious meals

After a long, tiring day with a newborn, the temptation to order in or make something quick like instant noodles is strong. There is nothing wrong with this, of course, but balancing it with healthy, nutrient-rich meals is important. If you’re struggling to do this, consider meal-prepping to help reduce the amount of time it takes to cook. 

Resting and sleeping when you can 

The early weeks with a new baby can be rough on your sleep. Babies generally wake every three hours for a feed, change, or comfort, so be prepared to say goodbye to your standard eight hours. Because of this interrupted schedule, you may be at risk of burnout or exhaustion, so it is important to rest and sleep when you can. The simplest way to do this is to take advantage of the times when your baby sleeps to have a nap, too. While it may be tempting to use this time to be productive (like cleaning the house or doing the washing), it is important to prioritize your sleep too so you are best prepared to continue caring for your baby. 

Make time for showers

It’s amazing how much better you feel even after a quick shower. Don’t be ashamed to allocate yourself time to do this, it can make a world of difference to your mental health. 

Leaning on your support networks

Of all the things on this list, building and using your support networks is the most important. Having a strong network of support can help new parents and babies by providing emotional and practical help, which can help the mother transition more easily into motherhood and foster healthy baby development. 

Ask friends and family for help

Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family for help when you need it. In all likelihood, they are happy to be providing support during this transitional period, and their assistance can allow you to rest, take a break, or get other things done – whatever you need to get yourself into a better mindset. 

Seek professional support when needed

If you’re experiencing ongoing feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety, or stress, it may be time to call in further support. A mental health professional, like a therapist, psychiatrist, or social worker with the requisite advanced standing MSW, can help a new mother develop coping strategies for the emotional demands of being a parent and provide a safe space for sharing feelings.