What NOT to do after giving birth

After giving birth, you badly need some advice—about yourself. Self-care is not just millennial hype, it’s a revolutionary act best performed in joggers with a laugh-out-loud sense of humour.

Everyone’s welcome to parenthood is singularly unique but one thing all new parents get to experience in equal measure is an all-consuming responsibility unlike any other. I’m here to tell you the secret to overcoming it. Laugh. At. Yourself.

Seriously. Your sense of humour (and collection of stretchy trousers) will probably be all that gets you through the really rough, totally amazing first weeks of parenthood. Not to mention prepares you for a lifetime of dealing with a little being with big opinions.

Top 5 Life Hacks for What Not to Do After Giving Birth

Now that we’ve covered what you should do, below are my favourite tips for things not to do after giving birth—spoiler alert: these also involve having a sense of humour.

1. Do not forget to turn the camera on yourself

Of the one billion snapshots and videos of my child passively eating up my mobile’s memory, one of the most treasured is a confessional video of me and my husband 24 hours after bringing our first-born home. It is hysterical. Shot in bed with zero filter, from that unforgiveable down-up angle that gives you 20 chins, we look completely overwhelmed and downright rundown, but touchingly united.

So when I think of things not to do after giving birth the first that comes to mind is forgetting to turn the camera on yourselves. Because even when it looks like everything is falling to pieces, you’re also falling in love. Capture that.

Also read: Advice for New Mums: 8 Top Tips for the First Weeks

When you finally understand that you’ve been taking your pelvic floor for granted.

2. Do not tally up your ”mistakes”

The concept of a “perfect parent” doesn’t exist to a newborn. They need the creature comforts you can provide and want all the love you have to offer. So, if there’s anything not to do after giving birth it’s tallying up your “mistakes.”

Spare yourself the running list of things you should have known or could have done better; try as best you can not to compare yourself to other parents. Because at the end of the day, your little boss of a baby isn’t going to demote you from BEST PARENT EVER anytime soon.

3. Do not become isolated

The days post delivery will be long. Very, very long and very, very exhausting. Understandably, it makes sense for a new mum to want to nail down a routine and get a handle on parenthood as quickly as possible. But be mindful because an important what not to doafter giving birth is become isolated. Leave some wiggle room for friends and family to join you in this new adventure.

Let them bring you convoluted iced java drinks. Invite them over for McDonald’s—break out the fancy china and all! Meet them for weekend morning power walks. Gab and gossip while they help you fold never ending piles of laundry. They want to be there for you, so let them. The more boring and convenient the activity, the better. Yes, a daily routine is important but so are the people that will one day be part of your child’s world.

Also read: Your first week with baby – 9 tried-and-true tips

A little self-love goes a long way when you’re consumed with the responsibility of a newborn.

4. Do not give up on your sex drive

Someday, while checking a mundane chore off one of your many to-do lists, you’re going to realise just how long it’s been since you and your partner last got busy in the bedroom. Chances are you’ll promise yourself (and your loving significant other) that you’ll circle back to your sex life soon—just not right now. This is perfectly normal. Feeling like your sex drive is on hiatus is more common than you think.

Slowly ease your way back into a physical relationship with affectionate little moments, like morning kisses, holding hands while taking the baby out for a walk, cuddling up for some TV catch-up, or going in for a hug just because. These small moments help keep your emotional bonds strong and nudge your sexual ones back to the surface (eventually)! In conclusion, what not to do after giving birth: give up on your sex drive.

Also read: Postpartum recovery – what to expect

5. Do not be embarrassed about yourself

Remember what I said about laughing at yourself? Well my last piece of what not to do after giving birth advice is: be embarrassed about yourself. It’s going to be important when you notice patches of hair falling out of your once glorious mane, when you finally understand that you’ve been taking your pelvic floor for granted with every sneeze and cough, and when everything in your wardrobe either fits your prebaby body or your pregnant body with no in-between options.

Also read: 15 signs that parents have superpowers

All in all, you’ll be a walking mess, something which the security screen at Tesco’s self-checkout will not hesitate to make abundantly clear. But don’t worry – this too shall pass and although you may not physically recognise the person you have become, you are evolving into a whole new you. It takes time—and a lot of Kegels—but the journey will have been worth it.

While we wait for society as a whole to get better at supporting the emotional, physical, and financial demands of parenthood, we as parents must remember to give ourselves the breaks we so much deserve. Let clean laundry go unfolded one more day! Make breakfast food for dinner! Take an extra 20 minutes to deep condition your hair!

These may not seem like revolutionary acts but a little self-love goes a long way when you’re consumed with the responsibility for a newborn. Which reminds me of one of my most favourite things not to do after giving birth: be perfect.