Secondly, now that she's a busy mom, she'll want to wear clothing that is easy to clean, comfortable and hassle-free. The latter is especially important if she's breastfeeding, in which case, she'll seek out clothing that allows for quick and easy nursing.

Certainly, new moms exert a great deal of energy to caring for their babies. New moms often get little sleep, especially during those first months, and there is usually little time or energy left to devote to primping themselves. It's no wonder that new moms often seem to give little thought to their appearance.

While it may construed as thoughtlessness, or laziness, it's most likely due more to priorities. Once that new baby comes into the world, nothing is more important than caring for and comforting that child. Rather than focusing on themselves, most new moms are absorbed with the wonder and care of their new babies. The need to create a flawless appearance often becomes trivial in comparision to her new responsibilities.

Without a doubt, new moms must be sure they eat right and try to get as much rest as possible. Even during those sleepless weeks, a 15-20 minute bubble bath can do wonders. A good diet is very important for new mothers. Eating right helps revitalize the body and strengthen the immune system. Good nutrition will also help bring the hair and skin back to normal more quickly.

Mommy time is also important to a new mom's health and well-being. After a couple of months of dedicating every waking hour to the new baby, stress, fatigue and being cooped up in the house can take its toll. Going out with dad, spending some time with some friends, or shopping alone for a few hours can help ease some of the stress of new parenthood.

Some fashion tips:

Just prior to the birth of baby, moms might want to consider getting low-maintenance hair cut/style. For moms who prefer to keep long hair, some attractive hair ties or barrettes will definately come in handy.

When it comes to concealing the extra love-handles that may have developed, new moms might consider wearing longer, tapered blouses. These generally have a "thinning" affect, are comfortable, and if they button, will accommodate nursing well.

Needless to say, being a new mom inevitably encountering messes, and mom will find herself bending over and squatting down a great deal. She'll want clothes that are easy to clean, easy to change in and out of, are not too
restrictive and won't be too revealing when engaging in those mommy calesthenics. ;-)

Comfortable shoes are also important. New moms soon discover that carrying a baby and all that baby gear on an outting can be quite a load. Low, or no, heals, plenty of cushion and a comfortable fit will help soften the blow of
all that extra weight.

For breastfeeding moms, a good-fitting bra is also important. A poorly fitted nursing bra can cause problems such as mastitis, and insufficient support can cause undue stress on neck and back muscles.

Above all, new moms shouldn't fret too much about their appearance. It took nine months for those body changes to come about and it will take some months before it can be toned back into shape. The good news is, most of the changes will reverse in time with proper diet and exercise. Some of those bodily changes may even become improvements; larger breasts, more shapely figure. ;-)

Lynn ??? Guide to Babyparenting