Being a good mother does not begin when the baby is born. Rather, this role begins the moment the baby is conceived. From conception, the care of the mother, and the care of the baby are one and the same. If you care for your baby, then you must care for yourself. If you want to be a good mother for your baby, it all starts with proper self-care.

Quit bad habits

Taking care of yourself does not always mean spas and shopping sprees, although none of that is bad if you can afford it. This practice focuses heavily on good mental and physical health. Begin by kicking bad habits that harm your body such as smoking, drinking, or illegal drugs. These practices harm your body and therefore can harm the baby growing inside. If you are breastfeeding, then all of the substances you put into your body, good or bad, will be going into the baby’s body too!

Get proper nutrition

Nutrition and exercise are very important factors. By engaging in healthy nutritional habits and getting in significant exercise as often as you can, you can rest assured that you are giving your baby the best chance to succeed. 

Stimulate your baby's brain

Once the baby is born, the real work begins. Babies have a few basic needs, food, water, a clean diaper, a warm bed, and plenty of love.  However, babies also need stimulation to help their brains grow. This stimulation can come from simple contact between mother and baby, interactive toys, and hearing mother talk. This all can seem like a huge amount of work (especially during sleep-deprived days!), but remember, it is a labor of love that is deeply rewarding.