When we think of self-care, behaviors that keep us calm, relaxed, and positive often come to mind. But for prenatal moms, there is so much more to it than that. Staying informed and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for your baby’s well being and yours too. So, to help you get started on your own wellness journey, we’re talking about the value of self-care during pregnancy! Plus, we’ve got some helpful tips and supplies you’re sure to be interested in along the way!

Staying Informed

Let’s start with a crucial part of self-care for new moms: education! The first step is asking specific questions. Stay curious and be sure to follow the advice of trusted healthcare providers. This will help you become the healthiest and safest home for your baby. Plus, you’ll know you are doing the best you can for your little one and yourself too!

You can also do your own research to dig deeper into unfamiliar topics that interest you. However, be sure to get your information from a trusted medical or prenatal care professional. We love surgeon and lactation specialist, Dr. Katrina Mitchell’s Prenatal Education Guide! This 52-page document is filled with beautiful imagery and rich, unrestrained detail on breastfeeding and maternal self-care. It’s an invaluable tool for expecting moms and their partners!

Forming Healthy Habits

Of course, you knew this one was coming..healthy habits! Eating healthy and following a prenatal exercise routine are a great place to start. While pregnant, it is worthwhile to take it a step further. We’re talking about getting plenty of sleep, wearing comfortable clothing, unplugging from electronics, and having supportive conversations on a daily basis. It’s a great idea to get started on these pregnancy self-care habits early to establish a routine by the time your baby arrives.

To make this process easier, we recommend combining self-care activities. One great way is to start leaving your electronics in another room at least thirty minutes before you go to sleep. This “me time” is perfect for assessing your needs or having a nightly check-in with your partner. It’s also a great opportunity to ease into sleep without the negative effects of blue light and the stress of unanswered emails. Of course, the best healthy habits are the ones you find the most beneficial. Those are the ones you are most likely to stick with beyond pregnancy.

Preparing for Baby

If you’re feeling nervous or excited before your baby’s arrival, we know the feeling! Having the right products can make a really big difference in maximizing self-care for new moms! If you are looking for a great list of must-haves for caring for yourself during pregnancy and postpartum, we suggest looking at Dr. Katrina Mitchell’s guide Prenatal Education Guide. This resource is jam-packed with helpful insights for expecting parents.

For nipple and breast care, Dr. Mitchell recommends things like, organic nipple balm, and soothing reusable breast pads. In addition, she suggests hot and cold packs in case of engorgement, a breastmilk collector (e.g. Haaka), and supportive bras. For postpartum self-care, she recommends postpartum supportive underwear as well as ice pads for pelvic pain.

For feeding and pumping, Dr. Mitchell recommends nursing pillows and footstools, the Pump Pump bag, a hands-free pump bra, breastmilk storage bags, and, of course, bottles with a slow-flow nipple. In particular, she calls out the Pura Kiki as the “world’s best bottle” because of its spill-proof stainless steel design which also protects the milk from nutrient degradation. Getting a few of these key products can be invaluable for proper postpartum care and offer safe solutions for use with your baby too!

At Pura Stainless, our mission is to support growing families with the best possible resources for a healthy and sustainable life. If you found this article helpful, we’ve got plenty more parenting and sustainability tips for you in our blog. Or, get started by shopping for our Made Safe Certified, 100% plastic-free baby bottles today!