The first weeks and months as a new mum are some of the hardest in your life. The fatigue is crippling and a lack of energy often means you don’t want to leave the house. Spending all day in your pyjamas seems preferable but it can also make you very lonely. While it’s not realistic to make big plans during this time, there are a few small things you can do to make sure you don’t become a hermit and seclude yourself from society. Here are just a few things you can do to get you out the house…
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Take a walk: This may not be the most social of activities, but it will guarantee you some human contact. You are bound to bump into other new mums with babies in prams, retired people going for their daily stroll, runners and cyclists. While you may not stay and chat with every one of them, a simple ‘hello’ and a smile can lift your spirits when you are feeling low. And who knows, if you keep to the same time every day- you might just make a new friend.
Visit someone in your bubble: Things are a little different now and are changing all the time, but if you have bubbled with someone for childcare support, you could drop in on them or they could come over and see you. Even if you don’t need them to look after your baby in the moment, you may just want to have a cuppa and talk over your thoughts and worries about being a new mum. Some company is better than no company at this time so make the most of the arrangements you are allowed in line with government guidelines.
Pop to the shops: Obviously, take all the necessary precautions you need to before heading to your local shop, but if you need something in between your larger shops, take a walk to your nearest one, get what you require and have a chat with the person behind the counter. Even the smallest amount of adult conversation can boost you up for the day.
Go to the park: While your baby won’t be old enough to go on anything, you may bump into another mother who you can have a socially distant chat with from one park bench to another. They might be able to give you some advice or maybe just share stories of early motherhood so you don’t feel like you are the only one going through the highs and lows of having a new baby.
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Virtual classes: You may not be able to go to any classes right now, however check and see if any of them are being run online- baby massage, messy play and baby first aid classes can all but run virtually, so see what’s available in your local area. You may not be there in person, but seeing other mummy faces and talking to them will help you to feel like you are in the same space.
Facetime: While you may not be able to see your other mummy friends- if you have someone in your life who is working to a similar time frame- why not have a video chat with them? They will probably welcome the virtual company just as much as you. Grab a cup of tea and talk like you would if you were in a coffee shop or in your living room together.
Take away lunch: Most places offer a take away service at the moment, so if you can’t stand the thought of another sandwich in front of the TV in your loungewear, you could pop out for lunch. You can always time it during one of your baby’s naps so you can trundle them there, grab something and eat it in peace, without being interrupted for a bottle.
To all the new mums out there- you are amazing!
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