Creating a Healthy Social Media Diet for New Moms

In today's digital age, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for connection, information, and inspiration. However, for new moms, scrolling through polished photos of influencers portraying the 'picture-perfect' mom life can often feel overwhelming, if not downright discouraging. How do we bridge the gap between the real challenges of motherhood and the idealized images we see on platforms like Instagram? The secret lies in curating your feed and understanding the algorithm. Here's how you can tailor your social media experience to be more empowering and relevant for you. 

1. Unfollow the Unrealistic

First and foremost, if an account makes you feel inadequate, stressed, or anxious, it might be time to hit that 'unfollow' button. Social media should be a source of positivity and motivation, not a platform that exacerbates self-doubt or fuels unrealistic expectations. Real moms don't always have flawless skin, were a full face of make-up, always have the cutest new outfits on, and definitely don't go on vacation every 2 months. At least not any of the moms I know. We all know which kind of accounts I'm talking about here...

2. Seek Authenticity

Real motherhood is messy, unpredictable, and filled with both triumphs and trials. While aesthetic photos can be pleasing to the eye, they might not always resonate with your current reality. Look for accounts that show both the highs and lows of parenting. Moms who share real moments - be it a toddler's tantrum, a spilled bowl of cereal, or candid discussions about postpartum recovery - can offer a much-needed dose of relatability. 

3. Follow Your Interests

Motherhood is just one facet of your identity. Remember to nourish other aspects of yourself. For me I also follow accounts on: (fantasy) books, organization motivation, cleaning hacks, DIY crafts, delicious recipes, or Montessori-inspired activities. So basically follow accounts that align with your personal interests. This not only breaks the monotony of your feed but also provides actionable tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your daily life. Pro-tip: I also follow some non-human content creators on Instagram to keep my feed light and furry (I'm talking cute cat and/or dog accounts).

4. Engage with Content You Love

Instagram's algorithm operates primarily based on engagement. The more you interact with posts (be it through likes, comments, shares, or saves), the more such content will appear on your feed. So, if you come across a post that resonates with you or provides valuable information, engage with it! This not only supports content creators but also ensures that your feed remains tailored to your preferences. Check the bottom of this blog for a list of accounts I like to follow on Instagram. Please comment below if you want to add cool accounts to this list! 

5. Utilize the 'Saved' Collections on Instagram

A fantastic feature on Instagram is the 'Collections' function within the 'Saved' section. Instead of merely saving posts you resonate with, take it a step further by organizing these saved posts into specific collections. For instance, create collections titled 'Real Mom Content', 'DIY and Recipes', 'Montessori Inspiration', 'Books I Want to Read' and so on. By actively engaging with and revisiting posts from these collections, it not only keeps your saved content organized but also signals to Instagram the type of content you appreciate, helping refine your feed over time. 

6. Set Boundaries

While curating your feed is crucial, setting boundaries is equally essential. Allocate specific times for social media and resist the urge to mindlessly scroll during downtime. This ensures that your virtual interactions remain intentional and don't detract from precious moments in the real world. Nowadays you can also set certain boundaries/time limits on your instagram usage. I've made a little how-to video for that (check the top of this blog). One thing I'd like to recommend that has been working well for me; always have an easy back-up nearby. What do I mean by this? Sometimes you just wanna zone out right? Often then is the time we pull up our phone and instagram. To break the doomscrolling I always have a book (or my Kindle) nearby, and I also always try to have 2 alternative on my phone that I also like to interact with. For me that is currently an online course from Kelly LeVeque (the Fab4 Fundamentals) or my medidation app (Headspace). 

In conclusion, remember that social media is a tool, and like any tool, its efficacy depends on how you use it. As new moms, we have enough on our plates without the added pressure of unrealistic social media standards. By curating your feed and understanding the intricacies of the algorithm, you can transform your social media platforms into a supportive, inspiring, and realistic space that complements your unique journey through motherhood.

Here are some of the accounts I like to follow. P.S. None of these are sponsored, they just create content that I like to view and follow.

• Solid Starts (My go-to account when I started baby-led feeding my little one, invaluable advice)

• TakingCaraBabies (My absolute G.O.A.T. when it comes to baby sleep, I will always recommend Cara to anybody who is expecting or has kiddos)

• Dr Becky at Good Inside (Wonderful person and therapist that has amazing insights, I also loved her book)

• Big Little Feelings (Toddler experts, and moms themselves, they keep it real!)

• Renee Renovates (Absolutely wonderful woman, with a love of cats, and DIY'in her whole house herself)

• Katie Beach (Fun, realistic toddler mom and one on the way, her content is funny, helpful, and she doesn't take herself too seriously)

• Life with Bess (My love for embroidery started after my daugther was born, and Bess' designs are too cute!)

• Penny the Ginger Cat (Gods, this cat is just too cute, and the way she sleeps with her head down!)

• Brunch with Babs (Wonderful lady, full of household wisdoms!)

• Emily Vondy (Wonderful mom to many many kids, hilarious videos and songs, doesn't take herself too seriously, and very welcoming)

• Robin Elise Draws (She makes the most wonderful and wholesome paintings)

• Yummy Toddler Food (Super useful account to follow for healthy recipes for you baby, toddler, etc)

Let me know in the comments if you have any good accounts for me to add!