50 Life Improving New Years Resolutions Ideas for New Moms

The new year is underway, and with it come the many well intentioned resolutions we make each year. But for new moms who are overwhelmed as it is, the resolutions we create are often either unrealistic or poorly focused and as a result many of us fail to see them through. So to help new moms out, we’ve come up 50 positive and realistic new years resolutions ideas specifically tailored for new moms in 2009.

Relaxation

1. You should take 15 to 20 minutes to relax everyday. This can help relieve the added stress of a new baby.
2. Just take a nap Usually when your baby sleeps you try to get all the things done that you haven’t had time for. Just relax and take a nap for yourself.
3. Take a long, hot bath or shower It’s a good way to have some alone time and a chance to think. Plus the hot water can relieve tension in your muscles.
4. Write in a journal Sometimes we tend to keep it all inside. This is a good way to help you get out any frustrations you have been feeling.
5. Read a magazine or book Get that magazine or book that has been sitting on the kitchen table. Read the articles you have wanted to or get into the story.
6. Let it go and laugh about it Please do not expect to be a perfect mom. If you’ve not fastened a diaper tightly or misplaced the pacifier it does not make you a bad mom. Have yourself a good laugh and keep going.
7. Go for a drive Taking a drive for a little while can help clear your mind. You can go alone or even take baby with you. Most babies will go to sleep when you take them for a ride

Time Management

These ideas will help you make more time for you and your family and take away some of the chaos.

8. Delegate and zip it! As women we all want things done a certain way. And yes, we will have to get over it not being done the way we want. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. At least it is getting done!
9. Put your new baby on a schedule This can make things run more calmly and you can schedule things for yourself or other members of the family when you know baby is napping.
10. Plan in advance If you know you have a check up at the pediatrician tomorrow; get the diaper bag ready the night before. Doing things in advance can help when a last minute spit up or diaper change is required.
11. Create a schedule Jott down a list of the days tasks each morning. Then decide what you can eliminate, delegate, or simplify.
12. Make the swing your friend. Don’t feel guilty about leaving your baby in the swing
13. Although we don’t advise this to be done too frequently it is good for that quiet and much needed hands free time.
14. Consider cutting back Serious commitments if very involved might need to be put on the back burner. Arrange for someone else to help or maybe take on a role that might not be so time consuming.

Budgeting

There is a statistic that parents can spend up to $10,000 on baby in the first year. Get a step ahead and cut that amount down.

15. Prioritize your household bills Make a list of all your bills and rank them from most important to least. Start at the bottom and determine if it’s something you really need or something you can maybe reduce or even eliminate all together. I even found a worksheet that can help.

16. Sign up for a flexible spending account See if your employer might have a flexible spending account for childcare. This is an account that the IRS created that allows you to set aside child care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
17. Breastfeed your baby Actually, this is the most inexpensive and healthiest form of feeding your new baby. However, if breastfeeding is not possible for you, you can still save. It is a law that generic formula has to meet FDA standards as brand name formula and it costs anywhere from 20% to 30% less.
18. Shop at second hand and consignment stores Save a lot of money by shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops and even yards sales. Just make sure to inspect the items carefully before purchasing.
19. Enroll on websites for coupons You can obtain manufacturer’s coupons for the things you use the most such as diapers, formula, and wipes. There is a site called Baby Cheapskate.com that gives you and up to date list on many of these items.
20. Make baby’s first food at home This might sound a bit prehistoric, but making baby food at home can save you money and is healthier for baby. Prepared baby food can be quite costly. By making it, you can shop for ingredients at one time, puree them, and then put them in your freezer.

Food, Diet & Exercise

After the baby is born, we all know one of our most major concerns. How can we get back to how we looked before pregnancy or at least lose some of the weight that we have gained. Here are some ideas to start you on your journey.

21. Eat healthy After childbirth you body is still recovering physically from labor and delivery, you are having postpartum hormonal swings, and you are adjusting to a new and very demanding addition to your family. Eating health foods rich in protein and omega 3 oils will boost your energy level.
22. Make a date with another new mom to exercise You are less likely to make an excuse if you have someone else to go with. You can take your babies for walks in the stroller or sign up for a mommy and me exercise class.
23. Snack Often Going extended periods of time is not healthy especially if breastfeeding. If you don’t eat every 3 to 4 hours you will be unable to make smart food decisions.
24. Be Patient Don’t expect to regain your figure overnight. Let nature take its course. Experts say it takes at least 9 months for you to lose your baby weight.
25. Try out some Abdominal & Breathing Exercises During your pregnancy I’m sure you have noticed that your belly had expanded to a huge capacity. The bad news is that your body does not just return back to its original state. Abdominal & Breathing exercises can help you to get back the four sets of abdominal muscles that are currently in hiding right now.
26. Make a grocery list This can help you avoid the impulse to purchase unhealthy foods such as junk food and desserts. When you make your list try to plan healthy meals to include fruits and vegetables.

Parenting

Being a good mom is what we all strive for. It’s all about how you connect with baby and more importantly how you treat yourself. These ideas can make your relationship with your new one closer and stronger for the rest of your lifetime.

27. Join a Support Group Joining a support group is full of rewards. It will benefit your child and you as well. It allows you to build friendships, access professional advice, and attain new skills or enhance current ones.
28. Choose a guardian No one wants to think of unplanned tragedies occurring. But by taking some time and choosing a guardian it can make a monumental difference in your child’s life.
29. Spend bonding time with your baby Contrary to popular belief, bonding with your baby does not happen in a course of a couple of minutes. You can help build the bond with your baby by making eye contact, talking and touching your baby.
30. Trust your instincts Try not to concern yourself with what kind of mom your mom was or what kind of mom your friends are. You have your own parenting style. Trust yourself.
31. Keep your memories First smiles, rolling over, and crawling. These are all memorable moments that you want to treasure. Invest in a digital camera. There are sites such as Shutterfly.com, Ofoto.com, and Snapfish.com that can store your photos and let friends and family view them. For the old school, you can create scrapbooks and collages also.
32. Take it day by day Instead of beating yourself up for not conquering the perfect home, mom and work balance- just concentrate on doing the best you can day by day.

Fashion

Usually fashion is the last thing on your mind after pregnancy. However feeling good and looking good can do a world of good for the post partum blues.

33. Dump the old house shoes and slippers replace them with ballet flats or jeweled flip flops. You don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort.
34. Get rid of the old sweats and t-shirts Pick out some velour tracksuits or athletic pants. You can still look cute in sweats! Make sure they fit your body and have a feminine cut.
35. Pick out a diaper bag without blue frogs and pink teddy bears A stylish diaper bag can help keep all your supplies organized as well as looking modern.
36. Buy some new bras and panties Pregnancy does some interesting things to your body. If you are nursing you might want to think about purchasing some nursing bras. Not only is feeding easier but the padding prevents embarrassing leakage. Wearing bras and underwear that are too small will take away from what you put on top of them.
37. Accessorize Some funky jewelry, a scarf or a pin are a quick and inexpensive way to spruce up your wardrobe. With just a few staples you can still look on point while taking care of the new mom practicalities.

Beauty

If after weeks and weeks of sleep deprivation you are still worried about how you look then hats off to you! Having a baby does not mean you have to let yourself go. You can still look put together and well groomed in just a few minutes a day.

38. Get a haircut It may sound silly for a new mom struggling through the day but it gets you out of feeling boring and not in control. It’s done quickly enough that you can feed the baby before you get it done and have a full hour of someone caring for you instead of the other way around.
39. Create a simple make up routine A simple make up routine can give you a polished look. You can use concealer under your eyes, a quick swipe of blush on your cheeks, and some lip gloss. It can do wonders.
40. Don’t forget to wash your face This sounds like a simple thing but very often does not get done. A new mom can fall finally get to fall asleep at night and not feel like getting up to do so. Your skin has been depleted of nutrients and this can actually make a big difference.
41. Book a pedicure Check if this is allowed, but if your baby does not move around yet you can even bring him or her. Either they will sleep or you can hold baby in your arms. Better yet of course, let someone else take care of your infant while you get your treatment
42. Moisturize Whether it be for you belly or for cracked nipples from nursing. Moisturizing your skin can do wonders. There are several natural products out there that are made to be used by you and baby.

Career

The day to day routine of taking care of baby can have you dreaming of your old job or thinking about the future of a new one. Now a days, there are plenty of career options to choose from for new moms.

43. Find a career where you can work from home Being able to generate an income and still being able to care for baby might be perfect for you. With the technology today there are thousands of companies that are outsourcing. Working at home gives you the flexibility to create your own schedule which can let you still perform all your motherly duties
44. Go back to school Many schools allow you to take online classes so that you can tend to baby also. Returning to college provides an exciting opportunity for personal growth and finding fulfilling work.
45. Don’t feel guilty about returning to the workforce Study after study shows that children do not suffer when mom goes to work. Being a mother doesn’t mean being with your baby 24 hours a day.
46. Give yourself plenty of time to choose a daycare provider Leaving your baby in the care of someone else for a few hours or an entire day can be very hard. Allow yourself time for visiting, references, and plenty of research of several providers.
47. Go part-time Working part time can also be a way to stay connected to work and family. Of course you will have a decrease in pay and benefits might be limited. But you also won’t have to pay such a high child care cost. You have to weigh out you pros and cons.

Relationship

Putting all your energy into taking care of a new baby can be stressful on your relationship. Just remember that your partner is important to you as well as your child. There are things that can re-kindle that passion you had before baby came along.

48. Talk & Listen Lately, does it seem like all you do is talk about the baby? Ask your partner about his day. Share you thoughts and feelings and listen to his as well.
49. Make sex a priority There used to be a time when you couldn’t wait to get under the covers and sleep was not the priority. Give some time and energy to lovemaking and bring intensity and excitement back into your relationship.
50. Have alone time with your mate Whether you have a babysitter or not, it is important to spend time with just the two of you. Take advantage of baby sleeping and have an adult conversation or just cuddle. If you do get out, arrange for date night once a week.
51. Bonus: Keep romance burning Send your partner a text message during the day to let him know you love him. Give him a big hug and kiss when you see him that evening or hold his hand while you take baby for a walk. These are all ways to let him know you are happy and still care.
52. Bonus: Treat yourself to a sexy new nightie Don’t let motherhood strip you from being feminine. Wearing something sexy to bed can jump start your attitude as well as your sex life. This will be a welcome addition to for your mate too.

    These are just several suggestions for new moms. I’m sure there are many more possibilities but these should be able to get you started. Enjoy your new baby and have a Happy New Year!