In fact (and it took a bit of time for me to realize), focusing on myself occasionally made me a much happier and more patient mom to Ellie.
But this advice is crucial, especially in the first few weeks when even the most basic tasks feel overwhelming. When you have a baby and help is offered, take it! Maybe it's a friend offering to drop off dinner so you don't have to cook or your mother-in-law offering to hold the baby so you can shower and blow dry your hair. Whatever it is, accept help. You don't have to be a superhero, and it's OK not to do it all. It doesn't make you any less of a fantastic mom to accept the help offered to you. In fact (and it took a bit of time for me to realize), focusing on myself occasionally made me a much happier and more patient mom to Ellie.