How to care for baby by caring for yourself
After hours that often feel like weeks attending to your new baby, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Parents can get a little too used to making baby the top priority. But you need care too. Especially in the first few months, having a newborn is mentally taxing, and comes with physical challenges, particularly if you’re recovering from giving birth. But taking care of yourself isn’t just important for you. Taking care of yourself is another way you take care of your baby.
In this article:
Recognizing your own needs
Becoming a parent comes with a whirlwind of emotions – happiness, love but also stress and fatigue. You’ve been taking care of a baby whose only means of communication is crying and who wakes up every three hours. The needs you’ve been addressing haven’t been yours. So take some time and think about what you need for yourself right now.
- How are you feeling? Are you tired? Stressed? Lonely?
- What would be most helpful to you right now? Do you need someone to watch baby for a bit so you could take a shower? Or does help mean someone bringing over dinner or assisting with chores?
- What can you do to feel more connected to yourself? What enjoyable things haven’t you had time for since baby?
Be open and honest with yourself. It’s normal to want time away from baby, to have strong emotions and to be frustrated or overwhelmed. Attending to your own needs can help, and make you a more patient and engaged parent.
Getting help from family and friends
Now that you’ve thought about what you need, it’s okay to ask your social network for help to get it. Parenthood can feel lonely. You may be out of sync with your usual interpersonal relationships after sleepless nights and staying home. But those ties – to family and friends, colleagues, your healthcare providers, and your community– are important to taking care of your health and baby’s.
- Stay in touch not just with your feelings, but the people who may have insight into them. Talk to friends, family and your doctors about how you’re doing mentally and physically. It can be easy to overlook your health right now in favor of baby’s, but open communication helps to make sure you are getting the support and resources you need as well.
- Ask a friend or family member to visit you at your home. You’ll stay socially engaged and get an extra pair of eyes on baby.
- Talk to other parents. People who have taken care of young babies before can empathize with you. And, they may have advice you didn’t know about to help.
- It’s okay to ask a trusted friend or family member to organize help on your behalf. It takes a village to raise children and your village is likely willing to support you more than you think, but may need direction. A favorite co-worker can organize a meal train for you, or baby’s grandparents can create a calendar for support visits.
- Plan time for yourself away from baby. Find a loved one to watch your baby for a few hours so that you can devote time to your interests. Go on a date night, socialize with friends or just take a walk or read a book by yourself. Make this time about you and not baby.
Talk to your health providers.
Your PCP, OBGYN or even baby’s pediatrician can help with your concerns or refer you to someone who can. Be honest with symptoms and your feelings. The stresses you’re experiencing are normal and often temporary, and your care team is prepared to help with it all. Your health providers can also help recommend other specialists for you to see.
Use your Priority Health Member account to find the right specialists for you.
Find an outpatient therapist, psychologist or other specialists directly through your Priority Health member account. Your member portal is designed to help equip you with the benefit and coverage information you need.
- Use the find a doctor tool to search for in-network providers. You can find one that offers virtual visits if baby makes leaving the house challenging. Or search for in-person doctors if you prefer face-to-face care.
- Use the cost estimator tool to understand your co-pays and out-of-pocket costs. This tool allows you to understand your potential costs ahead of time and compare different specialty providers.
Use the Teladoc Health Mental Health platform.
Access your free membership to Teladoc Mental Health included in your plan. It gives you guided support on a variety of mental health topics. And, it lets you connect with a guide for one-on-one encouragement and support.
Call us directly for more information on coverage and your options.
Priority Health is committed to each member’s mental well-being. We have an entire team of dedicated specialists who can talk to you about your health coverage and support options, and find in-network providers who are right for you. Just call this number, 800.673.8043 that is always available on the back of your member ID card.