Embracing motherhood can be a challenging period for new moms, with many experiencing stress and anxiety. Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, can help new mothers cope with their new role, providing moments of peace and self-care. In this article, we will explore how mindfulness techniques can benefit both mother and baby and provide simple steps for practicing meditation.
The Benefits of Mindfulness for New Moms
Mindful meditation has been shown to reduce negative feelings, increase patience, and reduce stress and anxiety in new moms. Stress can affect breastfeeding and the hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for the flow of milk from the breast. By practicing meditation, new moms can achieve a perfect balance of hormones, which has a positive effect on lactation. Mothers who use relaxation tools may pump out significantly higher amounts of milk with higher fat content than those who do not use them.
Benefits for Baby
Connecting with her inner self through meditation helps the mother to deal with stress and gain confidence in her abilities and capacities. Babies also benefit from the flow of feel-good hormones and can be more relaxed, which helps both mother and baby with learning how to breastfeed.
Simple Steps to Practice Meditation
To practice meditation, follow these simple steps: find a cozy and quiet spot, focus your attention, let go of wandering thoughts and control your emotions, and repeat meditation at least twice a day for twenty minutes each. By incorporating meditation into your daily routine, you can experience the many benefits it offers for both you and your baby.
Addressing Burnout in Working Moms
In 2020, 9.8 million working mothers reported experiencing burnout, with higher rates among Black, Asian, and Latina moms. School and daycare closures have made life more complicated for working moms. To cope with pandemic-related working mom stress, follow these 10 steps: identify where burnout is coming from, request changes at work, prioritize important tasks and drop some less important ones, adjust how you work to reduce anxiety, practice self-compassion, and be kind to yourself. Remember, being loving
with yourself is critical for your kids.
