Self Care with the 4T Postnatal Box for the New Mom

Disclosure: Sass & Smalls was provided with “The Favorite” 4T Postnatal  Box for review. All opinions are our own. 

Self care for mama? What the heck is that? (Me, Circa 2011 –  2020).

Being a “new” mom of a newborn/baby/toddler, after a long stretch, is just as much new mom territory as it was with my firstborn 9 years ago. I had soon forgotten about the proverbial 4th trimester that moms inevitably go through somewhere around three months following their short-lived stay at the hospital. It’s that constant state of exhaustion – where the cycle of waking, changing, feeding, and repeat – takes over all hours of the day and night. I had a close call (to not have either of my children, or be here for them as their mom) – so in theory… this uber, gung ho, mama was ready to take on all of the struggles with an iron fist and a brave smile.

But the truth was, I was too much of a zombie to do any of that. It was literally a fog having to survive the nights and welcome the morning, as happy and relieved as I was that my little rainbow was finally here. Keeping it real… I was exhausted.

That first month was a complete blur. And the months to follow was progressively better as we learned to navigate the world of baby-dom, while balancing it with a school aged big sis – an eager big sis, whose volume is generally set to loud. A busy big sis. And a big sis who has been accustomed to being the only child for most of her early childhood. Life was beautiful – but easy? Not on your life. 

Cut to… one year later. Life is no longer a blur. Set routines have become the norm. Kids are becoming more compliant, and life is more predictable. 

But guess what? Mama is still exhausted. The dynamic has shifted, but the exhaustion has remained. Now, it’s all about juggling schedules. Making bigger meals. Getting through the sleep regression (for both kids). Ensuring I get enough work done to put food on the table to accommodate to said bigger meals. Maintaining a healthy work life balance. Being a good friend. Spending quality and highly animated time with each of my kids separately and together. And being a present partner and wife to my very patient, and often neglected husband.

Busy. Busy. Busy. 

So what’s an exhausted older mama to do while chasing an exceptionally curious, toddler? 

No. Not sleep. At least, not this mama. 

So the next thing in line, is that very trendy phrase that seems to be taking the world wide web by storm.

SELF CARE.

Self care is something we should all be thinking about – whether it’s part of our reality or not. Self care should be top of our list – but the truth is, it is rarely the case. At least, I allowed it to be. That is, until I received this gorgeous box, entitled, “The Favorite” from 4T Postnatal. 

Here’s a closer look at all the goodness this box has to offer:

The 4T postnatal box is just what the doctor ordered. With its focus on body healing, it provides the very simple tools in one box to help any mom work through the challenges of the fourth trimester while immersing herself in the moment with her brand new baby. And even if it’s well beyond the 4th trimester, mamas like myself that just need a little physical and mental TLC – a relaxing moment in a warm oat bath (shared with baby or otherwise), a yummy cup of tea while soaking in all the happy oils – can only do good. Lots and lots of good. 

Vapo Good Night, Sweet Dreams – A hydrosols vaporizer, 100ml

I found that the only way for me to truly relax was to ensure the kiddos are resting properly themselves.

Happy rested kiddos = Happy rested mama. 

We spray the vaporizer right on my little guy‘s pillow, as well as his big sister‘s – especially on their more… resistant nights… It contains ingredients, neroli and lavender – both of which calms the mind, and chamomile, which soothes. A perfect combo designed to welcome and encourage sleep. The best part, and the only reason I feel comfortable actually spraying directly on to my children’s pillows, is that these hydrosols are perfectly safe for the whole family! Safe enough for a 3 week old newborn, I am confident it’s safe enough for my 1 year old. And I give a little aero-love to my own pillow as well.

These hydrosols are safe for the whole family. It is possible to spray it in baby’s bed as soon as he is 3 weeks old, and in mom’s bedroom and on her pillow. Neroli calms mental agitations and lavender, accompanied with sweet chamomile, soothe.

And now the fun stuff… bath time… for Mama! Self care, here I come! (ahem… what is that again??)

Oat bath – 1 sachet of herbs and oat flakes, 100g, and 2 reusable organic cotton bags

Drawing myself a bath is something I just do not do these days. Even before my newborn arrived, it never crossed my mind to give myself a nice, warm, cozy bath, let alone an Oat bath. How beautiful does that sound? Even more beautiful – it’s safe to share this bath with baby. 

It is possible to take this bath with baby as soon as birth, without any danger. Here are some ideas: mom and baby in the bath while dad prepares the meal. Dad and baby in the bath while mom is sleeping. Mom alone in the bath while dad takes care of baby. 

Postpartum tea – 1 sachet of tea herbs, 50g, and 1 tea ball

Ever since I’ve discovered the immediate effects of coffee as a mom, I have become rather hooked on it. I don’t think I’ve ever considered myself a coffee addict – but when I literally dream of coffee as I surrender myself to the night wakings and broken sleep, I’ve come to realize that my body has gotten quite dependent on that extra boost. The postpartum tea by 4T Postnatal came just in time for me to replace my coffee, with its natural ingredients and natural ability to lift mood and and boost energy.

This tea is to consume without moderation and will easily replace your morning coffee! With lemon balm and holy basil, your mood will be brighter and more optimistic.

Softness – Baby Butt Cheeks – A moisturizing cream jar with whipped cream texture, 30ml

Living up to its name, “The Favorite” includes a plethora of go-to items not limited to mamas recuperating and healing from birth. What about their little buddy who made them mamas in the first place? I can see why this next little treat is an added feature to The Favorite. The Softness – Baby Butt Cheeks has quickly become one of mine. 

This soft formula with a divine smell contains vegetable oil with exceptional properties! Castor oil has antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. Calendula oil is perfect for treating skin problems such as irritation, dry and irritated skin. It is antiseptic, healing, restorative and anti-inflammatory. Jojoba oil is anti-inflammatory and protective, this oil (rather a liquid wax) regenerates the skin.

HAPPY – essential oils – A bottle of essential oils, 5ml

All of these things, together or on its own makes this mama happy. But even more bliss-making is the Happy essential oils – one of the tiniest but mightiest of the contents of The Favorite Box. 4T Postnatal knows that the key to self care is finding ways to bring relaxation, and thus happy back to mama. From a lovely scent, to its uncanny ability to calm, yet invigorate, the Happy essential oils soothe and bring mama back to a place of peace and utter contentment. Happy, is exactly how I continue to feel when I apply and/or diffuse this essential. As far as I’m concerned, Happy is definitely a favorite. 

In this formula, bergamot is used in its version without bergaptene, because in the original version, it is photosensitizing. No problem here, she will be an ally of relaxation! The gentle scent of lavender calms, rebalances and helps to relax the body and mind. Fragonia, with its delicate and sweet smell, harmonises and balances the nervous and hormonal system; everything is soothing and invigorating for the body. The pink grapefruit essential oil calms and invigorates, while the mandarin essential oil has a great anti-irritability, soothing and relaxing power.

To make this box even more fabulous for new moms wanting a dose of self care in their 4th Trimester (and later), are the cute mini cards each box comes with. They are little reminders and tips to help create and maintain the mother-baby bond, suggesting the best way to utilize each item to get the most optimum experience. It provides little nuggets of information on adorable little memo cards – something like a “recipe to self care”.

Speaking of recipes to self care, it’s all about the fine details. Don’t forget your favorite treat (sweet, or otherwise), a notebook to jot your notes in (brain dump, anyone?), and a nice tub of warm goodness, and you are on your way to finding that piece of yourself again, mama. Whether you’re in the middle of your 4th trimester, or years past it – there’s a reason why this is called The Favorite. Definitely worth finding out, if it can just as easily becomes yours. 

What are some of the ways you indulge in a little self care?

Mama…don’t forget to give yourself the gift of TLC,