Ask the Expert: How Can New Moms Care for Their Maternal Health?

As a new mom, it’s natural to put your baby first, but that doesn’t mean your own needs should come last. Your maternal health matters, too. Your well-being is just as important as your child’s, and caring for yourself is key to showing up fully for them.

Motherhood changes everything: your body, your emotions, your identity. And in the whirlwind of feedings, naps, and recovery, it’s easy to lose sight of your own needs. But ignoring them can take a toll. Protecting your maternal health gives you the energy and strength to care for your child – and yourself – with more presence, intention, and ease.

Dr. Carrissa Losantas, lifestyle medicine expert, wellness coach, and mom of two, who champions maternal health through her work at the Philippine General Hospital and her own clinic, St. Raphael Lifestyle Medicine Center, shares tips to guide you through this stage.

“Maternal health is typically defined as the mother’s health before, during, and after giving birth,” explains Dr. Carrissa. She emphasizes that a new mom’s health matters not just during pregnancy but also in the weeks, months, and even years after giving birth.

“Maternal health is essential, yet it’s often a challenging area for new mothers,” she says. “As a new mom, your baby’s health and overall well-being naturally become the most important thing in the entire universe for you, and your own health tends to take the backseat,” Dr. Carrissa points out.

“However, since you, as the mother, are the primary caregiver of your child, you must maintain your health for that child to thrive under your care,” she explains. “A mother who can feed, nourish, and nurture herself is most capable of delivering a higher level of care to her baby,” adds Dr. Carrissa.

New mothers often have to navigate a wave of advice and unspoken expectations, from feeding routines to career changes. “You can have difficulty meeting these demands because you are in a vulnerable situation, taking on a new role as a mother,” says Dr. Carrissa. “As you step into this new identity, a flood of information is within reach – from tips on being a good mom, to feeding rules, to self-care, to returning to work. At times, it can feel like an overwhelming juggle, a challenge many new moms silently face,” she notes.

Amid all the noise, try not to obsess over whether you’re doing everything right or wrong. Focus on what feels right for you and your baby. You know your needs – and your child’s – better than anyone else. Trust that and give yourself permission to tune out what doesn’t serve you.

Instead of trying to do it all perfectly, focus on what helps you feel whole. Dr. Carrissa shares some tips for postpartum care.

“Take care of your health first, because your baby will benefit a hundredfold! Take time to rest. Me-time addresses stress. You get that time off to recalibrate or to just be. Whether it’s taking a two-hour nap, going out with friends, enjoying a cup of tea, or doing yoga – make it happen.”

Doing so won’t just benefit you. “If you’re breastfeeding, you will notice a sudden increase in your milk supply. You will also notice that you are more capable of being present with your child and not functioning on autopilot.”

Even a short, calming shower can help reset your energy. For sensitive, post-pregnancy skin, reach for Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash, a gentle, hypoallergenic cleansing essential that nourishes and softens dry skin with every wash. Or try the Dove Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Bar, a sulfate-free beauty bar that helps remove dead skin without stripping it dry, leaving you feeling refreshed and pampered.

“Your body will recover faster and better if you give it the proper nourishment,” adds Dr. Carrissa. Remember that what you consume affects your mood. “Eating more fruits and vegetables is never a bad idea,” she says.

“Sleep is your body’s way of repair. After the profound experience of childbirth, the least you can do is help it recover well,” she points out. “Sleep is not just for physical healing but also for emotional and mental health.” Nap when your baby naps, or if possible, share nighttime responsibilities with your partner, family member, or a trusted helper. You can try taking shifts or scheduling alternate nights, so you can both get much-needed rest.

“We mothers must really focus on self-compassion. Know that motherhood is a new journey – no one ever did it perfectly. If you are doing and deciding on things with the purest intention of unconditional love, then you will do well,” says Dr. Carrissa.

Give yourself grace in the moments you feel overwhelmed or unsure. Caring for your maternal health means being gentle with yourself, trusting your instincts, and recognizing that showing up – imperfectly, but with love – is more than enough.