With Valentine’s day fast approaching, the most important gift we can give to new mamas, is one which makes them feel seen, heard, and valued. So where do you even start?

Self care as a concept has always left me feeling slightly awful about myself. There were never enough hours in the day to do yoga, have a bath, go for a a run, journalling, bullet journalling, learning a new skill, making overnight oats and ensuring eight hours uninterrupted sleep. I am a terrible sleeper and would berate myself for not being able to complete the perfect self care task list and assign this as the reason I did not get the desired amount and type of slumber.

The birth of a baby can have a significant impact on your relationship with your partner. Often two people will find the pregnancy and expectant period bonding, unifying and exciting. The idea of an addition to your relationship is beautiful, but the reality of life with children will change the previous relationships.

A shower in those newborn days was not helpful or relaxing for me. If my child wasn’t screaming because he was legitimately starving, I was taunted by phantom cries. Getting into the shower led my heart rate to increase and it was a mad dash until I was out. No amount of breathing exercises made a shower enjoyable. What was relaxing for me was holding my baby, getting outside, and being in absolute silence.