Postpartum Care for New Moms - Everything you should know

So, here are some of the best ways in which you can make this transition easier

1. Ask for help

Don’t hesitate to ask for help during this period if you want good postpartum care. Your body needs time to heal and taking care of a baby means a lot of work. So, you should actively ask for help so that you don’t end up stressing your body.

2. Exercise

Get in touch with your doctor so that she can suggest easy and body-friendly exercises for you. The activity should not be stressful. Usually, walking and yoga are recommended. Moving around and doing light chores can help as well, but you should consult your doctor first.

3. Take ample rest

Try to get as much sleep as possible. Follow the golden rule of “sleep when the baby sleeps”. You need to cope with the tiredness and fatigue during this phase. Your baby will get up every two hours for feeding. Make sure you get enough sleep and rest when your baby is sleeping. Motherhood can be harsh,so you need to find your way through it.

4. Eat healthy meals

The most important part of postpartum care is to follow a healthy diet. During this period, you need to eat food that is easy to digest, helps you produce enough milk, and is soft on the stomach. You will also need to increase your intake of fluid in case you are breastfeeding.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression can be real. It is normal to have baby blues during the postpartum period. After giving birth,a mother undergoes so many emotions at the same time. Mostly, 70% to 80% of new mothers experience mood swings, anxiety, and other negative feelings. The symptoms of baby blues can be-

• • Unexplained crying

• • Insomnia

• • Sadness

• • Restlessness

• • Irritability

• • Mood changes

Vaginal Healing and Perineal Care

For the first six weeks after giving birth, the lining of the vagina (Lochia) goes off. Your body experiences a very heavy period, which gradually decreases to a light discharge. Also, since giving birth involves some kind of tearing of tissues, you will have stitches that can be uncomfortable. Even if you don’t have stitches, the area around your vagina might feel bruised and swollen for some time.

Given below are some ways in which you can make this healing process easier-

1. Clean the area with soap and water.

2. You can apply an ice pack as a part of postpartum care.

3. Don’t wear a pad for sometime so that air can circulate around the area. You can even use old clean towels to protect your bedding in case of leakage.

4. Try out some vaginal exercises to speed healing, as per your doctor’s recommendations.

Changes in breasts

Post giving birth, your breast will be filled with milk. They might feel sore and engorged for some time as well. But this will improve with time and you will also get used to this bodily change. To ease the problem and get comfortable, you can apply a warm and cold compress alternately on your breasts.

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