6 Questions about Finding Time for Yourself: with Dana WoodBy Amanda GengeWhen you’re pregnant, it’s all about you: how you’re feeling, what crazy foods you’re craving, how your belly is growing. But once the baby arrives, it’s easy to forget about yourself as you focus on caring for this tiny yet demanding little person. Many new moms end up putting themselves on the back burner indefinitely, while they devote all their time and energy to making sure their little ones are fed, dressed in cute outfits, stimulated and entertained. But as magazine editor and new mother Dana Wood discovered, moms deserve to be fed, dressed in cute outfits, stimulated and entertained, too! In her book Momover: The New Mom’s Guide to Getting It Back Together, Wood explains why you, Mom, owe it to yourself and your family to be a little selfish sometimes: When you are well rested, well fed, and mentally well balanced, your whole family benefits. That means working exercise into your schedule, making healthier food choices, revisiting your own sleep habits (not just the baby’s!), keeping a journal, and indulging in special mom-only “time outs” on a regular basis. This may sound like a lot to ask of someone who’s just started learning the ropes of new motherhood and tending to the needs of a baby. Fortunately, Wood has created a road map to help moms figure out the juggling act. 1. How can a frazzled new mom focus on her own needs, and how soon after delivery should she start? I think that women should start as early as in the hospital—or at least the day they get home from the hospital! It’s so important to keep tabs on your own health, not just the baby’s. Are you drinking enough water? Did you even remember to eat today? I created a self-care chart when I got home to keep track of things like when I took medicine, ate a meal or took a nap. The important thing is to set the precedent that taking care of you isn’t negotiable. From that first day, make it your business to take care of yourself first, because you can’t take care of your baby if you’re neglecting yourself. It’s a gift to your kids.Next: Feeling overwhelmed? Here's how to handle it