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Steam baths, neck rubs, and other little luxuries for rejuvenating the new mother
BECOMING A MOTHER is exciting and terrifying. First-time mothers are cast in a new role, and although they may have been preparing for it for months, many are overwhelmed by a newborn's needs and demands. Life revolves around the new being in their lives, and there seems to be little time for even the necessities of life, let alone for pampering. However, this need not be so-there is time to be pampered, even to pamper yourself.
SELF-CARE 101
Each day, do something you love. When my first child was born, I enjoyed doing needlepoint. It may sound strange, but I found it relaxing to sit in a rocking chair beside his bassinet as he slept and move the needle through the fabric. I didn't worry about the dishes or getting the laundry folded, I simply relaxed my mind and body with something I enjoyed doing, instead of taking a nap.
In fact, don't feel obligated to take a nap just because baby is-some people just can't sleep during the day. If you're one of them, don't force it, and don't beat yourself up about it-just find some way to rest your body and mind without sleeping. Your body will let you know when it's tired. And remember to ask for help so you can get a few extra minutes of sleep each night.
If you can nap, do it often-a good time is when baby is sleeping. To make those naps even more of a treat, place a warm flax-seed compress under your neck, or a soothing eye mask on your face. This will augment your much-needed sleep with the soothing comforts of spa treatments.
Take a steam bath. Long, luxurious baths are out of the question for most moms-bathing is little more than quick splashes of warm water between feedings-but that doesn't mean you can't use steam to cleanse your pores and loosen tight muscles. The easiest way to take a five-minute steam bath is to set...