Why Taking Care of You is Actually Taking Care of Baby
Why Taking Care of You is Just as important as Taking Care of Baby
We as Parents tend to take care of our children first and ourselves second. Raise your hand if you are guilty! Yep, my hand is way up in the air.
Now there is no way around it having your newborn, preemie or Micropreemie in the NICU is hard. I know you want and need to be there 24 hours a day. I have been there too, I was there 8 to 10 hours a day 7 days a week. I didn’t take a day off an hour off or a minute off so I know what it feels like to need and want to be there all the time.
That is why I can tell you from experience that you need to take care of you FIRST! I didn’t and I can tell you this, when you bring your baby home you are For Real on the clock 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
This is the time to really take care of you now while your baby is in the NICU, really learn how to give yourself a brake and reconnect yourself. Teach yourself this now so that when your baby comes home you can continue your self care.
No I’m saying to say Peace Out NICU I’m going to the SPA for the weekend.
What I’m saying is take a little time each day to focus on giving yourself a few moments to breath.
Yes I am also saying that it may be necessary to give yourself a whole day or even a half a day to recharge.
If You Are At Your BEST then Your Can take care of your Baby the BEST!
Examples of self care can be something as small as going to a quite room, closing your eyes, focusing on your breathing and clearing your mind for a few minutes. Or going outside getting some fresh air and going for a long walk. Taking a Yoga Class.
I didn’t do any of these things and now almost 4 years later I can tell you without a doubt I would have been a lot better it only I would have taking some time for self care.
I thought being in the NICU is all i needed to do, and really it was all i need to do but I also needed to give myself a few moments here and there to breath.
Our days in the NICU really were quite full from Doctor updates, to changing diapers, checking temperatures, eye exams, physical therapy and pumping. Plus the drive to and from the NICU and taking care of a toddler and husband at home. I honestly never felt like I had 5 minutes and I thought I was doing everything i could. Everything but giving myself a chance to breath.
If i would have given myself 5 or 10 minutes a day to mediate and clear my mind in return I would have been more present and focused.
Give me some of your ideas for self care? Lets start a discussion!