It can be so easy to get lost in new motherhood. Your body is changing, you probably aren’t sleeping, and some days it feels like just brushing your teeth is an accomplishment (which it is!). Life will never be exactly as it was before, but we’ve put together some helpful tips to get you on the road to feeling a little more like you again.

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In the early days of motherhood as much as you would like to take time to rest, there’s a new baby that needs your love and attention and self-care can easily slip out of your schedule. An herbal sitz bath is a great way to help you relax, speed up healing, soothe the perineum, and help with hemorrhoids – and not to mention take a few much needed minutes for yourself. Read on for this at home how-to.

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I’m now beyond the half way mark, and while it sounds cliche to say, this pregnancy has really flown by! I hope my first trimester lifesavers helped relieve the anxieties and aches that come with those first 13 weeks, and now I’m excited to share my soothing favorites for this (thankfully!) much more manageable second trimester:

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This guest post comes to us from Rebecca Egbert. A Midwife and tireless champion of moms, Rebecca has specialized in Women’s Health for 20 years. She created Little Mother’s Helper, a guide for the mind, body, heart and soul in the time following childbirth. Below she shares her top advice to new mothers.

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Even though Andrea, the founder of Tubby Todd, and I have been friends for years, I’m genuinely a huge fan of their products and have been since the day they launched their first lavender body wash. I use their BASICS line daily with my little ones and am always bugging Andrea about when a new scent or product will come out, not to be sociable but because I love everything they make. I’ve known about the development of their new MAMA line for quite a while now so I’ve been (im)patiently waiting for it’s release. I recently gave it a spin and I think we can all agree that it’s a game changer.

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Meeting Jeannette (@shutthekaleup) feels like freshening up! She’s a mama with an outstanding balance as fitness instructor, mom to Elliott Grey, and “real food” enthusiast, and we’re leaning on her for some shaping tips…to be our healthiest selves. Her mantra is simple: “listen to your body,” and we’re all ears for her nutrition tips, workout gear “steals” and advice for feeling our best after baby. Thanks for guiding us through, Jeannette.

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As a mom, you and I both can understand the most universal challenge of finding balance. While this comes differently to each of us, Solly Baby’s style is when “mama’s dancin’ with baby on her shoulders,” or when babywearing happily helps us juggle it all while keeping what matters most the very closest.

If “physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness” (-Joseph Pilates), then instructor Jenny Redford of Hello BODY Pilates is helping build a really happy you. With your baby wrapped tight, follow her simple instructions to work as much of the body as possible, “keeping in mind that we don’t want to jostle baby too much and we want to give ample attention to your posture.”

Before you begin — 

When returning to exercise, pay special attention to reconnecting to the pelvic floor and deep abdominals. Even though the movement is mostly focused in the lower body, keep your focus on drawing in and up in the belly to initiate each movement. This will help you to support baby and to find your balance. I also recommend wrapping baby a bit higher than usual to keep their little legs out of the way.

I show both an option to do this with 2-3lb hand weights/weighted balls and without. You can opt out of the arms completely to hold baby’s head or you can place your hands on the back of a chair for balance. If you perform it as shown, 3x’s each exercise, alternate sides and repeat the series several times. You can also perform each exercise individually 8-12 times. Finally, if something doesn’t feel right, stop. See you doctor when necessary. Move mindfully always.

Releve / Centering, Balance, Calves
Stand tall, weight in the balls of the feet. Lift and lower heels with resistance.

Passé Lunge + Arm Reach / Balance, Thighs, Glutes, + Shoulders
Bring the right knee forward, sliding the right toe up the leg to passé (as low or as high as you’re able to maintain your balance). Then reach the right leg 2-3 feet back to a lunge. Left leg bends 45-90 degrees, knee over foot. Arms reach forward, palms up. Body hinges to a slight diagonal. From the lunge, lift and press the hips forward over the standing leg as you bring the right leg directly back to your passé. Body returns to upright.

Plié, heel lifted + Arm T / Inner-thighs + Quads
From the lunge, pivot 90 degrees toward your back leg to a wide second position. Legs Rotate outward. Lift the right heel as both knees bend deep to 90 degrees and lift to standing. Arms hold in a T, palms up. The back and chest are broad, shoulder blades reach down. Knees point in the direction of the toes.

Pulse Plié, heel lifted + Arm T / Inner-thighs + Quads
Lower to a deep plié, lift and lower several inches with as much control as possible. Arms hold in a T, palms up.

Hold Plié, heel lifted + Arm Circle / Biceps, Shoulders, Inner-thighs + Quads
Holding a deep plié, arms draw small circles; back and then forward. Upper body remains still, support the arm motion with your back.

Side Leg Lunge + Arm T / Balance, Glutes + Shoulders
Legs and feet rotate to parallel. Lunge into the right leg then push off from the lunge and extend right leg; balance on the left leg. Control as you resist back into the lunge. Arms hold in a T. Hips remain level.

Side Leg Lifts + Arm T / Balance, Glutes, Core + Shoulders
From your last side leg lunge, hold your balance. Lower the right leg to tap the ground then lift the leg 6-12 inches. Arms hold in a T. Hips remain level, centered over the supporting leg.