Mindful Motherhood

Rethinking Mindfulness for New Parents

As a new mum to a “bonny” 6-month-old boy, being frazzled sometimes feels like just part of the job. For the first three months of my baby’s life, my wife and I rarely got more than two or three hours of sleep at a time and felt like we were on a treadmill of feeding, changing, soothing, and, let’s be honest, panicking.

The Challenge of New Parenthood

Research has shown that nearly 60% of new mums have poor sleep, with one in five mothers and one in ten fathers or partners reporting depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after the baby arrives. Being woken up every few hours for months on end is something people are not expected to do even when employed under the most extreme work schedules.

Mindful Moments

Glow, a new online art project, invites mums like me and other carers of new babies to slow down, connect, and breathe. This project, created by a group of Australian artists, includes a series of audio and video “Moments.” There are “We Moments” designed for carers to listen to with their baby, and “Me Moments” designed for solo listening or watching.

The Power of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is generally referred to as being present and aware of what is going on around us in the moment. Practising mindfulness typically involves a meditative component, where you can focus on your breathing or the sensations and sounds you are experiencing. There is a wealth of evidence suggesting that mindfulness can be effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress.

Benefits for New Parents

For new parents, there is evidence that mindfulness can improve parent/infant bonding and increase feelings of self-efficacy and self-compassion. Practising mindfulness can also help new parents to feel more calm and composed, even in the midst of chaos.

A New Approach to Mindfulness

Glow’s online Moments present the idea that perhaps the best strategy for relieving these feelings of exhaustion and burnout is to give space for new parents to practice a little mindfulness as part of their day. The platform offers soothing background audio for shared activities with your baby, such as having a bath or playing with a fabric wrap.

Soothing Audio for Busy Tasks

One of the most effective features of Glow is the ability to add mindfulness to tasks you’re already doing. For example, listening to a “Put the Kettle On” moment while waiting for the kettle to boil or a “Have a Bath” moment while bathing your baby. This is a game-changer for new parents who may not have five minutes to spare for a dedicated mindfulness session.

Conclusion

Glow, a new online art project, is rethinking mindfulness for new parents. By providing soothing audio and video moments, Glow offers a new approach to mindfulness that is practical and accessible. With its focus on self-care and stress reduction, Glow has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of new parents.

FAQs

Q: What is Glow?
A: Glow is a new online art project that offers soothing audio and video moments for new parents.

Q: What are the benefits of Glow?
A: Glow can help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, improve parent/infant bonding, and increase feelings of self-efficacy and self-compassion.

Q: How do I access Glow?
A: Glow is available online now.

Q: Is Glow only for new mums?
A: No, Glow is designed for all carers of new babies, including dads, partners, and other family members.

Q: How much time does Glow require?
A: Glow moments can be as short as a few minutes, making it easy to fit into even the busiest of schedules.