DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
To be a confident new mom means that you have momfidence!
Momfidence is usually hardest to feel for new mamas, but remember, this is still for you if you’re not a new mama!
Motherhood is a journey. Whether you have one child or ten! Because both you and the child (or children) are changing, developing, and flowing together. During the flows, things can start to feel rough, and that’s normal.
Although normal and even expected, this doesn’t mean there isn’t anything we can do to help!
Let’s learn how you can get through the rough patches or even avoid some altogether with momfidence, mama!
Education!!!
Education on your body during pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding (if you choose), and baby-care will expand your confidence and make you a confident new mom!
You’ll know you’re making decisions based on your true beliefs and research-based evidence.
And this is precisely why I started Your Fulfilling Motherhood!! A community of mamas to communicate with right here and a ton of the information you need all in one place right at your fingertips!
When I was pregnant with my daughter, I was all about educating myself and preparing for exactly what I knew I wanted for my pregnancy and birth.
But unfortunately (to be frank), I was in a horribly toxic and abusive relationship that got much worse during my pregnancy. This lead to me not having the birth I wanted and far too many medical interventions that I don’t believe were truly necessary. (Check out my birth story here!)
This is only one briefly explained example of how the lack of my education at the time backfired on my birthing experience.
And a lack of confidence during pregnancy and your labor and delivery can also lead to a lack of momfidence when it’s time to care for your baby and breastfeed (if you choose). I personally also had a lot harder time breastfeeding because of my lack of education.
Educating yourself will make you feel so empowered, strong, and more in control. You got this, mama!
If you have any questions that you can’t find answered on my blog, you can send me an email by signing up to the email list (to your right) or send me a message on Instagram!
Don’t Cave Into Bad Parenting Advice
Bad parenting advice: advice that goes against facts and research and/or doesn’t feel right to you.
Whether it’s outdated advice such as adding rice cereal to your baby’s breastmilk or formula or a form of sleep training that you disagree with, etc.
First, always focus on facts and research.
For the bad advice of adding rice cereal to your baby’s breastmilk or formula, The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed (no formula, solids, water, or juice) until their baby is 6 months old.
As for sleep training, I’m creating a post explaining research on sleep training (Plus my opinion on sleep training)! (Coming soon).
Set Boundaries with Relatives
Navigating family relationships can feel more challenging when you become a parent.
It’s a massive role shift when you birth your baby into this world! Your baby is the child, you and your partner become the parents, and your parents become the grandparents.
And some personalities, unfortunately, don’t follow this transition well, making establishing boundaries crucial.
New parents can feel overwhelmed by telling their parents what is and isn’t allowed. But as difficult as this can be, this is an essential part of the maturation process necessary in parenthood.
My daughter is turning 3 this year, and it’s still not always easy to do this but establishing boundaries since she was a baby has helped my confidence to continue to do so even though it can be challenging.
For more information and tips on how to establish boundaries with your relatives and your new baby, I wrote a whole email for you! Sign up for the email list today to receive this email! (Sign up to your right).
Beware of Competitive Friends (And Consider Ditching Them)
When you have a friend whose child does everything first, it can really make you doubt yourself as a parent. But it’s essential to make sure if this happens that your friend isn’t becoming competitive or rude about your baby developing at a slower rate than their baby.
After years of having a competitive best friend, I’ve learned that they’re never genuinely positive to be around. Your friend will continue to be competitive about her child being ahead developmentally. Then when your child does something “better” than hers, that friend is now criticizing and trying to make it negative to make themselves feel better.
It’s often a negative slippery slope, and this is why I say to consider ditching friends like this! But in the meantime, you can respond with, “I’m happy with my baby’s development.”
Get a Little Ready Every Day
Getting yourself a little ready every day can change your whole attitude towards your day.
It reminds me of how making your bed every morning will make you more productive. When I get at least a little ready, I have always believed that I’m more productive, and it gives me an extra confidence boost!
But don’t think I mean you have to put makeup on or heat style your hair.
Most days during this pandemic, I get a little ready by doing my morning skincare routine, changing into super comfy clothes (find my favorite cozy, postpartum-friendly clothes here!), and doing my hair in some quick but cute way!
I know it can be hard when you’re tired and busy, so don’t think of this as another thing on your to-do list. But for when you have time or get your partner or friend to watch your baby for 5-10 minutes, I promise it will make a positive difference!
Work Towards a Goal
Having a goal you’re working towards or having a hobby you’re passionate about that isn’t part of your daily motherhood routines can be very beneficial for your confidence.
If you’re a working mama or in school, this can totally be something to do with that if it makes you feel empowered!
Working towards a goal helps build your confidence as a new mom to remind you that you’re great at more than being a mama.
It also keeps me motivated to work hard in-between continually being the best mama I can be every day!
Take Time for Yourself
An occasional mama’s day or 15 minutes a day to recharge and relax are necessary to be the best mama you can be!
I notice when I neglect to take this time, I definitely become more impatient and frustrated.
Some relaxing and soul replenishing ideas for your “mama time” include:
☼ Get your hair (or nails) done regularly
☼ Take a bubble bath
☼ Have a spa night
☼ Meditate
☼ Do yoga
☼ Journal
☼ And the list goes on!!
And I promise taking this time for even just 15 minutes a day before you get in bed for the night will make a positive difference.
You got this, mama!
Sources
DISCLAIMER: This post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding you or your baby’s health. Please read my Medical Disclaimer for more info
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