Just because life isn't fair doesn't mean it isn't good
Many studies have shown that newborns bond better with calm mothers. New moms who spend at least 15 minutes every other day relaxing -- whether by deep breathing, meditating, or soaking in the tub -- cope with the stresses of motherhood better than those who don't.
It’s understandable to lose your calm after your baby has been on a crying jag for three hours or your toddler is throwing a tantrum. The surprise is, sometimes it’s good for your baby to see you upset, as long as it’s justified and doesn’t happen too often. As she grows, your child will look to you to learn how to handle emotions. When she sees you sad, scared, mad or frustrated, say what you’re thinking“I was feeling sad, but I feel better now” or “That was scary. I’m glad we’re safe.”Child are usually going to run that ‘mommy tape’ in her head the rest of her life whenever she’s feeling emotional. So mommies should play their emotions too.
Not even your mother-in-law can make you doubt yourself as much as that friend whose child does everything first. Your friend’s daughter might have walk when yours are still not crawling. The competitive friend is always doling out advice on how to get your baby to catch up and pointing out what you’re doing wrong. The best response? “We’re happy with Sam’s development.”
Do this move as early as one week after you have your baby if you had a vaginal delivery; if you had a C-section you might have to wait 8 to 10 weeks. Lie on your back with your knees bent and a pillow under your hips and another between your knees. Feet flat and your arms at your sides, inhale, then exhale and draw your abs in and tuck your pelvis under slightly, squeezing your buttocks as you do a Kegel. Hold 5 seconds and release for 10 reps.
After six weeks, add this move to your routine. Lie on your back with feet hip-width apart, knees bent. Inhale, then exhale as you draw your abs up and in toward your spine. Tilt your pelvis up, lifting your hips off the floor into a bridge . Slowly lower down to starting position. Repeat 5 times, building up to 10.
Lie on your back with your knees bent, feet hip-width apart and abs drawn in. Flex your left foot, pressing your heel into the floor. Keeping your pelvis still, inhale, then exhale as you use your deep abdominal muscles to push your left heel away from your body, keeping the knee slightly bent. Return to starting position. Alternate sides, doing 5 slides on each side, working up to 10. Do these first three exercises together and in order for the next two weeks, then add move 4.
Lie on your back, knees bent. Place a towel across your upper shins and grasp each end. Pull the ends of the towel and squeeze thighs together. Inhale, then exhale as you draw your abs in and lift your shoulders off the floor. Hold, and contract and release, your ab muscles 10 to 12 times, working up to 20. Do moves 1–4 in order for two weeks.
Add this move at 12 to 14 weeks postpartum, doing moves 1–5 in order. Lie on your back with your knees above your hips and your shins parallel to the floor. Place a small towel on top of your thighs, hold on to the ends and push against your thighs to create resistance. Lift your head and shoulders and extend your left leg out as you exhale. Switch legs and repeat, alternating legs for 5 reps and working up to 10.
