As the clock strikes midnight on 31st December, will you be joining millions of people around the world, making a promise to yourself for the upcoming year?
As a busy new mum, experiencing lots of first-time challenges, new year’s resolutions may not be at the top of your to-do list, but thoughtful goals for the year ahead can help you navigate this exciting chapter with confidence, as well as remind you to care for yourself too.
Why Every New Mum Needs New Year Resolutions (And How to Make Them Stick).
Despite good intentions, many resolutions are already long forgotten by the end of February. The main reasons for letting resolutions slip are that you’ve set over-ambitious goals or begin to lose motivation as time goes on. But we’re here to offer support with these top tips to help you in reach your goals!
Here are five ideas to help a new mama stick to her New Year’s resolutions:
1. Familiarity is Key: Tie your new goals to things you already do. For example, read 2 x chapters of your new book before bedtime, have a nap, or squeeze in a 10-minute exercise routine when baby has his/her morning nap.
2. Use Visual Reminders: Whether you prefer sticky notes, a calendar, or setting up a daily reminder alert on your phone, it’s a good idea to use a visual prompt to help keep your goals at the forefront of your mind, so you don’t forget what you want to achieve!
3. Start Small: Think ‘baby steps’ and focus on progress, not perfection. Don’t get hung up on unrealistic expectations. Remember that what we see online in terms of 'perfection' or 'flawlessness' has a lot to do with the angle the image was taken or how the video was shot). Divide your resolutions into small, daily or weekly actions. For instance, if your goal is to read, aim to finish one chapter per day.
4. Share Your Goals: Involve a trusted friend, family member, or parenting group so they can provide encouragement or even join you in your goals. This will help keep you motivated your momentum going!
5. Reward Yourself: Treat yourself to something meaningful when you’ve reached one of your milestones! A favourite snack, a new book, an afternoon nap – or why not all three!
From Sleepless Nights to Self-Care Goals - New Year’s Resolution Inspo for First-Time Mums:
As a new mum, it’s easy to feel like you need to do it all and have it all together, proving you can handle everything. But the truth is, no one is juggling all those plates without dropping a few along the way—and that’s completely okay! With that in mind, and in a spirit of solidarity and understanding (we’ve been there!), we’ve created a list of realistic resolutions designed to help you reclaim a little of yourself while navigating this incredible journey of motherhood.
1. Dedicate 10-Minutes Each Day to Yourself: Make time for yourself, even if it’s just 10–15 minutes a day to read, catch up on your favourite TV show or enjoy a cup of tea. Remember, a happy, rested mama is better equipped to care for her baby.
2. Keep a Track of Milestones: Take a weekly photo of your baby and save it in an online album (to be printed at the end of each year). Or alternatively, set up an email address to send pictures and notes to for when they are older, write letters or keep a scrap book. These small acts over time will become fully stocked memories to look back on and cherish.
3. Set Up a Simple, Flexible Routine: A newborn's sleep pattern changes frequently, especially in the first few months, so it’s ok to be flexible with naps and feeds. Get to know your baby's body language and behaviour to identify signs of sleepiness, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, or becoming fussy. Routine can be introduced by simple actions like singing the same song or saying something like "Now we're going to go to sleep" to signal that nap time is starting.
4. Plan in a Regular Date Night (even if it’s at home!): Plan one intentional moment each week (or month) to focus on your relationship. This can be something simple as a movie night (with snacks), to ‘pushing the boat out’ by setting the table and cooking a special meal, or order in your favourite take away. Date nights provide a dedicated space for you to reconnect and have a quality conversation with your partner.
5. Take One Step Toward a Personal Goal: Whether it’s learning a new skill, getting active, or reading, put small steps in place to maintain your identity beyond motherhood. Doing things you used to enjoy before having a baby, like going for a swim or catching up with a friend can improve your wellbeing.
6. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Not every day will be a good day, but the next day may be a GREAT day! Embrace the learning curve and rollercoaster that is Motherhood! Celebrate small victories like surviving a sleepless night or managing your first outing with your baby.
7. Eat Home Made: It’s not always easy to make healthy food choices, or to spend time cooking family meals after a busy day. But if you plan and batch cook you’ve got less waste, as well as having ready-made freezer-friendly meals on standby to help ease the pressure on busier days.
8. Get Out and About: Dedicate one morning or afternoon each week for outdoor walks with your baby. Taking baby for a walk can be good for both of you, and gentle exercise can help you feel less worn out and sleep better. Baby will also benefit from new sights, sounds, smells, and textures, which will stimulate their brain too.
From all of us at Bumbles & Boo – here’s to a happy, healthy, and joyful 2025! We hope these ideas have sparked some inspiration and given you a sense of encouragement, as you embrace the year ahead.
What resolutions will you set for yourself this year? Whether big or small, we’d love to hear your thoughts and cheer you on as you make them happen! Let’s support each other on this incredible journey of motherhood—together, we’ve got this!
