This article is from the WebMD Feature Archive

Babyproof Your Sanity -- 6 Tips for New Parents

Part 2 of 4 of WebMD's "Life After Baby" series offers 6 tips to keep moms healthy while coping with the challenges of having a new baby. By  Sherry Rauh WebMD Feature Reviewed By Brunilda  Nazario, MD Part 2 of 4 of WebMD's "Life After Baby" series offers 6 tips to keep moms healthy while coping with the challenges of having a new baby.

Part 1: A Day in the Life of a New Parent | Part 3: Your Baby & Your Relationships | Part 4: Your Baby & Your Career

Sleep deprivation combined with the constant demands of caring for a baby can test your limits. The challenges of having a new baby can take their toll, but while you are focusing on your bundle of joy, don't forget to take care of yourself.

"The health of a family depends on the health of the mother," says Elizabeth Stein, CNM, who has a private practice in New York called Ask Your Midwife, PC. She recommends following up on any conditions identified during pregnancy, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and focusing on good nutrition rather than weight loss. "I remind new moms that it took 40 weeks to gain 40 pounds, so she should give herself that long to lose it."

Sharon Wishner, a single mother with a 4-month-old son, says taking care of herself was tougher than she expected during her first few weeks as a new mom. "You know you need to eat because you need the strength, but I was so tired that I didn't have an appetite," she tells WebMD. "You think, 'Should I go to sleep or should I eat?' I didn't think about showering or dressing. My choice was whether to eat or sleep."

New parents often make the mistake of skipping meals, according to Judith Chamberlain, MD, a member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians. "There's a tendency not to bother to eat," she says, although good nutrition and rest are equally important. She also recommends a flu shot and regular hand washing, "especially if your baby is in daycare."

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