Congratulations on welcoming the new member, Mumma! Now that you’re through the most painful phase of pregnancy, labor and delivery, it’s time to get some rest. Motherhood is a beautiful journey. It is filled with joy, love and many challenges. Postnatal are the first six weeks from the day of delivery. This stage comes with a host of physical, emotional, and mental changes for new mothers.
This is also the stage when the mother devotes all her attention to caring for the newborn. They often overlook that this phase is very crucial for their own body. It’s time to take care of yourself because there have been a lot of changes. A woman must therefore pay more attention to her body in this phase.
In this article, we will give you a comprehensive guide to postnatal care and recommendations.
Adjusting to a new life after birth
After you have your baby, life changes. You need to feed, change and soothe your baby. If you do all that, you may have little or no time for yourself. Your sleep schedule can take a hit. It can take some time to adapt and develop new routines.
Give some time to yourself
Motherhood is a journey of sacrifices. Especially in the first few weeks of labor, you tend to sacrifice your time and give everything you have to caring for the baby. The newborn needs extra care and attention, but don’t forget to take care of yourself.
Understand the postnatal changes
Whether you have had a caesarean section or a vaginal birth, it may take some time before you feel like yourself again. So, understanding the postnatal changes will help you take care of yourself properly.
● Physical changes
Your body has and will undergo many hormonal and physical changes during this journey. Your understanding of these changes is the first step to self-care.
For physical recovery, you need to address postpartum pain and discomfort. Consult your doctor or gynecologist for exercise recommendations to restore pelvic floor strength and stability and manage cesarean section recovery.
● Hormonal changes
Childbirth is accompanied by several hormonal shifts that are very new to you. You may start to see its effect on your skin. You can often suffer from hair loss. You need to embrace these body changes and feel good about yourself.
Tips for postnatal self-care
Taking care of yourself is crucial for your recovery and postnatal care. Here are a few ways to start practicing self-care:
● Focus on mental well-being
The postnatal phase is accompanied by a roller coaster of emotions. You need to prioritize your mental well-being. It will help you have a balanced and healthy transition to motherhood.
It is very common to get postpartum blues. In such a condition, there is no need to panic. If you find a sign, you should seek support. Consult your doctor. You can practice mindfulness and relaxation exercises when you give your baby a nap.
● Nurture a relationship
Often a mother becomes so involved in caring for her newborn that she forgets to spend time on other relationships. It can cause bitterness in relationships and affect well-being. You don’t make a mistake like that.
Try to find a balance between maintaining a healthy relationship and dealing with the demands of motherhood. You need to communicate with your partner and share responsibility. It will help you get more free time for yourself and your partner.
You can also share experiences with other mothers. If anyone in your family or friend has gone through this phase or is starting to, get help. It will bring you closer to them and have a positive impact on your mental health.
● Get some rest and eat well
You have come out of a difficult phase for your body. It needs rest now. You can try to get some sleep if a family member helps you with your baby.
Make sure you eat well. You should make sure that each meal includes protein, fruits, vegetables and grains. Increase the amount of fiber in your diet if you are constipated.
Additionally, don’t forget to stay hydrated, especially if you are breastfeeding. You can also consume some external sources of protein and vitamins. Here are a few postnatal vitamin recommendations for you.
● Celebrate this new phase of motherhood
This journey of motherhood brings many exciting and joyful moments. You may be experiencing this for the first time.
Create a skin-to-skin bond with your baby. It will help you recover from your postpartum blues.
You and your partner can create small happy moments with the newborn so that you can recover better and cheer him up for life.
Conclusion
You have to remember to take it easy. Your body has undergone extreme changes and pain. It is important to take your time and enjoy every cuddle moment with your child. You also need to be gentle with yourself and give yourself some space to heal and recoup.
Finally, don’t be afraid to discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor regarding postpartum depression, your recovery, or your child’s development.
If you would like to know more about caring for yourself and your baby during pregnancy or after delivery, visit the Art of Healthy Living website. You will receive some important insights and tips about caring for your baby and taking care of your health. We hope this article will help you in this new phase of your life.
