# Caring for Your Mental Health After Your Baby’s Birth ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/82c40793-a6d9-4d89-ba67-fec214b3f043/BMC_01-29_3-4-Hero-Newborn?io=transform:fill,width:1000px&format=webp) ## Self-Help for a Healthy Mind and Body After you give birth, it’s important to take steps to keep your mind and body healthy. Try different things to figure out what works best for you, but here are some ideas to start with. ### Eat Healthy - [Eat foods](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/physical-health/feeding-yourself-along-baby "Bump & Beyond: Feeding Yourself While Feeding Your Baby | Boston Medical Center") that will help you stay healthy. - Learn about [BMC’s Preventive Food Pantry](/nourishing-our-community/preventive-food-pantry "BMC Stories: Preventive Food Pantry: A Part of Your Medical Care | Boston Medical Center"). - Find more [meal resources and support](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/getting-support/resources-families "Bump & Beyond: Resources for Families | Boston Medical Center"). ### Exercise - Incorporate [regular exercise](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/physical-health/pelvic-floor-recovery-and-exercise-after-birth "Bump & Beyond: When and How to Start Exercising After Birth | Boston Medical Center"). - Try [pelvic floor exercises](/bump-beyond/during-pregnancy/nutrition-exercise/pelvic-floor-exercises "Bump & Beyond: Pelvic Floor Exercises During Pregnancy | Boston Medical Center"), which can help with recovery. ### Reduce Time on Social Media It’s okay if your postpartum experience looks different from anyone else’s. If you use social media, be cautious with ads and health tips—they may not be accurate or safe for you. Before trying any product or weight-loss plan after birth, talk with your healthcare provider. ### Practice Relaxation - Use [diaphragmatic breathing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/learning-diaphragmatic-breathing "Learning diaphragmatic breathing | Harvard Health Publishing (health.harvard.edu)") (breathing deeply from your belly). - Try [meditation](https://www.mindfulbirthing.org/resources#comp-kzwn5zf9 "Resources: Guided Audio Meditations | Mindful Birthing (mindfulbirthing.org)") or [mindful breathing](https://www.mindful.org/a-five-minute-breathing-meditation/ "A 6-Minute Breathing Meditation To Cultivate Mindfulness | Mindful (mindful.org)"). - Spend time in nature or just outside. - Try to make time for small, enjoyable activities, like painting your nails, brushing your hair, doing art, or taking a bubble bath. - Incorporate [aromatherapy](/bump-beyond/labor-and-birth/preparing-birth/aromatherapy "Bump & Beyond: Aromatherapy in Pregnancy, Labor, and After Birth | Boston Medical Center") into your daily life. - Schedule a massage. ### Join a Postpartum or Parenting Support Group In the greater Boston area, we recommend the following as starting points for connecting with other parents of babies and young children: - [The Family Nurturing Center in Dorchester](https://familynurturing.org/dorchester/ "Dorchester | Family Nurturing Center (familynurturing.org)"): At FNC Dorchester, families can connect and learn through playgroups, classes, programs, and community events designed to empower caregivers as their children’s first teachers and advocates. Resources, referral services, and advocacy for families with young children are also available. - [City of Boston Parent and Family Support](https://www.boston.gov/departments/early-childhood/parent-and-family-support "Parent and Family Support | City of Boston (boston.gov)"): The City of Boston provides free resources to help families and children develop and grow, including parenting classes, family-friendly events, playgroups, and trustworthy information about child development. - [BMC Free Parent-Child Events](/departments/pediatric-primary-care/adolescent-medicine/teen-and-tot-program/resources-patients): Boston Medical Center's pediatric department has a calendar with lots of free events and other parenting resources. ### Be Open About Your Feelings with Your Support People Share your thoughts and concerns about [intimacy](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/physical-health/sex-and-intimacy-after-having-baby "Bump & Beyond: Sex and Intimacy After Having a Baby | Boston Medical Center"), and any concerns you have about your body, with your [support people](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/getting-support/support-person-can-help "Bump & Beyond: Ways Your Support Person Can Help | Boston Medical Center") or your postpartum healthcare providers. [Learn How to Appreciate Your Postpartum Body](https://utswmed.org/medblog/perinatal-body-dissatisfaction/ "MedBlog: 6 ways to embrace a more positive body image during and after pregnancy (October 11, 2022) | UT Southwestern Medical Center (utswmed.org)") ### Share with People Who Can Help [Small Moments Big Impact (SMBI)](https://smallmomentsbigimpact.com/for-parents "For Parents | Small Moments, Big Impact (smallmomentsbigimpact.com)") is a website made by pediatricians and parents with videos of new parents talking about their experiences. The goal is to encourage you to talk to your baby’s provider about **what’s really going on with you**. If they know, they can help you and your baby get what you need to be healthy and happy. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem auto; } .embed-container iframe { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } ### Worried About Postpartum Depression? If you are feeling [overwhelmed or hopeless](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/mental-health/mental-health-after-birth "Bump & Beyond: Emotions and Mental Health Concerns After Birth | Boston Medical Center"), or like your issues are greater than you and your support people can handle, [get help now](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/mental-health/get-help-now-your-mental-health "Bump & Beyond: Postpartum Experience: Get Help Now for Your Mental Health | Boston Medical Center")! [Postpartum Support International](https://postpartum.net/) also operates a non-emergency helpline in English and Spanish for live conversations about basic information, support, and resources: - Call [800.944.4773](tel:800.944.4773) (marque #1 para Español) - Text “Help” to [800.944.4773](tel:800.944.4773) (English) or [971.203.7773](tel:971.203.7773) (Español) **If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, you can call** [**800.981.HELP**](tel:800.981.4357) **(24 hours a day, 7 days a week), or visit** [**BMC Community Behavioral Health Services**](/cbhc "BMC’s Community Behavioral Health Center (BMC CBHC) | Boston Medical Center") **for a walk-in appointment.** [Learn More about Serious Mental Health Conditions That Can Happen After Birth](/bump-beyond/postpartum-experience/mental-health/mental-health-after-birth "Bump & Beyond: Emotions and Mental Health Concerns After Birth | Boston Medical Center") mental-health-after-your-babys-birth