It seems like confidence is one of those things you either have or you don’t. For new moms, confidence seems to be one of the first things that goes out the window. From your body feeling strange and looking different than what you remember, to your hormones making your emotions fly all over the place, to the never-ending questioning yourself if you’re doing the whole parenting thing right—lacking confidence seems like it just comes with having a baby. However, your little bundle of joy should bring you just that—joy—and not make you feel bad about yourself in any way. If you’re not feeling like yourself, here are seven ways new moms can boost their confidence.
1. Get Dressed
It’s amazing what getting out of a pair of yoga pants and stained shirt can do for the mind. If you’re feeling a little down, why not play dress-up with yourself when the baby is down for a nap (or just hanging out in their bouncy seat)? Even if your pre-pregnancy clothes don’t fit, pair something together that does that stands out from your usual attire. Even if you don’t wear this outside of the house, you’ll get a slight boost of confidence just knowing that you’re not spending all day in your comfy clothes.
2. Address Issues
Everyone has things about themselves they don’t like, and to boost your confidence, you need to address these things and then make a plan to fix them. For instance, if you’re not happy with your smile, maybe you should have a cosmetic dentistry consultation to see what could be done. If you’re not happy with your current working situation, maybe you should spend some of your maternity leave looking at what else is out there. By knowing exactly what it is that bothers you, you may be able to fix it and boost your confidence.
3. Exercise
Although you’ll have to take it easy after having a baby, getting back into a regular exercise routine can help you boost your confidence. Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, the benefits of exercise are great and include giving you more energy, strengthening muscles, and reducing stress. Talk with your doctor about what types of exercise you can do and when you can start, and then create a routine that works for your schedule and needs.
4. Pamper Yourself
Even if you want to spend every waking minute with your newborn, it’s important for you to take some time for yourself. For instance, take a day (or a few hours in a day) and go get your hair cut or colored, get your nails done, get a massage, or just do something that is just for you. Even the smallest thing can help to boost your confidence and make you feel good about yourself.
5. Get Some Sleep
It’s hard for new moms to get the right amount of sleep, but healthy sleeping habits can be all you need to boost your confidence. From creating the right sleep schedule that works for you to simply making sure you have a comfortable mattress, there’s more to sleeping than just putting your head on a pillow. Whether you can sleep when the baby sleeps or tag team middle of the night feedings with your partner, finding ways to get some rest is important for your well-being and confidence.
6. Do Some Good
Sometimes having a new baby can make you feel like you’re trapped at home, so why not find a way to do some good for someone else? Volunteering and donating can be a great way to boost your confidence because it will make you feel good about something you’re doing. Find something local you can do and maybe pick something that is child friendly so you don’t have to find a sitter. Then, use the feeling you get of doing good to boost your confidence for longer periods of time.
7. Stop Worrying about Other People
One of the best ways to boost your confidence is to stop caring so much about what other people think about you. Sure, it’s hard to do, but after your baby is born, he or she should be your primary care. Feel free to wear what you want, look how you want, and say what you want, and know that you’re doing a damn good job raising your child and being the best mother you can be. That alone should give you the confidence you need to feel good about yourself.
Doing exercise really helped me before when I had our first child. It gave more confidence as I feel more healthy.