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Happy New_x000D_
Year! If this is your first year as a new mom or if you’re expecting, you have_x000D_
a lot to celebrate. Not only should you take pride in bringing a new life into_x000D_
the world, but you should pat yourself on the back every day for a job well_x000D_
done of caring for your newborn.
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But as any new mom knows, taking care of a baby requires a lot of hard work._x000D_
Sometimes it may even feel as though you are short-changing your own health and_x000D_
well-being (sleep-deprived, anyone?). In an attempt to change all that, we_x000D_
turned to the experts and share their advice on how to improve the quality of_x000D_
your own sleep, diet and physical well-being, so you can keep up with the_x000D_
demands of new motherhood without missing a beat.
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Getting Those Zzzs
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What new mom wouldn’t benefit from some more sleep? If there was ever a part of_x000D_
your pre-baby life that you would miss, it would be how much undisturbed rest_x000D_
you had.  “Sleep is such a touchy and complicated issue,” says_x000D_
life coach and social worker Kacey Kaufman (www.kaceykaufman.com).  “Of_x000D_
course, we want to aim for at least 7-8 hours a day, but this is often a pipe_x000D_
dream for the new mom.”
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Instead, she advises, try to heed the time-honored advice of ‘sleeping when the_x000D_
baby sleeps.’ “Let the dishes pile a little. As maddening as it can be, a_x000D_
little mess isn’t that important. We have to take care of our basic needs_x000D_
first, or we are not able to be our best selves for our children and for_x000D_
ourselves,” adds Kaufman.
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Knowing how much sleep you can by on and learning what works best for you is_x000D_
another helpful tip. “You know how much is too little or too much for your_x000D_
body and your happiness,” says certified professional coach Katie O’Brien_x000D_
(www.katieobrien.com). “But a lot_x000D_
of it can be out of your control, so do what you can do get the adequate sleep_x000D_
for you.” Skimping on sleep for housework isn’t prudent, so put down that_x000D_
dust rag and fluff up the pillow. “When you wake up, you’ll have twice the_x000D_
energy to tackle those chores later,” she adds.
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Eat Right
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Following a sensible diet can be a challenge when caring for a newborn; between_x000D_
round-the-clock feedings and diaper changes, who has the time—and energy—for a_x000D_
well-rounded meal? And while your intentions to cook may be good, it’s not_x000D_
always easy to follow through.
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“New moms might, on one hand, feel a greater incentive to eat well to be_x000D_
healthy for their baby and to be a good role model,” says Jennifer Bright_x000D_
Reich, co-author of The Mommy MD Guide to Your Baby’s First Year. “But on_x000D_
the other hand, new moms might be so tired and stressed that it’s hard to take_x000D_
time to eat well.” To help moms with that task, she recommends the USDA’s_x000D_
Choose My Plate (www.choosemyplate.gov/about.html)_x000D_
as a valuable resource for eating right.
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Eating small meals throughout the day can give sleep-deprived moms the energy_x000D_
burst they need—as long as they are making healthy choices. “I loved_x000D_
adding smoothies to my diet to add extra nutrients, and they were easy to drink_x000D_
on the go,” says O’Brien. And breastfeeding moms should be sure to factor_x000D_
in extra calories, so having healthy snacks on hand either right before or_x000D_
after nursing is recommended.
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Fit and Fabulous
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Getting back into your pre-pregnancy shape is the goal of many a new mom, but_x000D_
adapting your exercise regimen to fit your new lifestyle can often deter even_x000D_
the most determined woman. To get you into the right mindset, consider the_x000D_
positives of resuming your postpartum workout. “Exercise is as close to a_x000D_
‘magic pill’ for health as you can get,” says Reich. “It boosts mood_x000D_
and energy and decreases stress and anxiety.” For those having difficulty_x000D_
getting back into the swing of things, she suggests making exercise a priority._x000D_
“Recognize that exercise will help you get more energy, not less.”
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If you’re unable to go to the gym, consider adding a new partner to your workout_x000D_
routine: your baby. “Use their weight for extra resistance or do lunges_x000D_
outside with your stroller,” offers Kaufman. “It’s all about getting_x000D_
creative in finding solutions to the time constraints as opposed to focusing on_x000D_
the problem of lack of time.”
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And if you’re having difficulty getting started or staying consistent with your_x000D_
exercise routine, remember to cut yourself some slack. “The biggest_x000D_
mistake I see moms making is pushing themselves too hard and stressing too much_x000D_
to lose the baby weight,” notes O’Brien. “Ask yourself, ‘What did I_x000D_
like doing before I became a mom?’ and try incorporating a mild version of that_x000D_
into your new routine.”
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Personal Goals
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At the end of a long day with a new baby, moms have more than earned some time_x000D_
to themselves—and taking those precious moments for one’s self are essential to_x000D_
staying healthy and happy. “There’s not a lot of ‘me’ time for moms_x000D_
entering the world of motherhood,” says O’Brien. “But it’s important_x000D_
to find what fuels our souls and add bits and pieces of that to our routine_x000D_
when possible.”
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Reich seconds the importance of recharging your batteries, so to speak._x000D_
“Take some time to think about what really ‘fills you up.’ Those_x000D_
activities will help fill your emotional tank and decrease your stress,”_x000D_
she says.

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