Postpartum Recovery in 5 Easy Steps

If you compare our generation with the one before us, you’re going to notice that lots of things have changed when it comes to postpartum recovery. There are no longer expectations that a mother should rest and devote her time to her baby. Obligations and workload get in the way of proper postpartum care, so many new moms are faced with different feelings that they don’t know how to handle properly. From healing your body to making sure you’re mentally fine with this new period and the new role you now have, you need to adapt and embrace all the changes at once. Therefore, here are some tips that could help you keep your sanity and learn how to take care of yourself.

The lying-in period

This is something many new moms don’t do but it’s one of the most important parts of the recovery process. It’s hard to predict how much time you’ll need and it all depends on the way you deliver your baby. Keep in mind that the level of exhaustion you’ll feel is something you can’t experience in any other situation – both mentally and physically. Even though you’ll feel like you can do everything, and you probably could, take some time to rest, enjoy a moment with your family, and learn how to adapt to new situations. Take all the help you can get and create a schedule with your partner when it comes to feeding the baby, going for a walk, and doing your chores. This will give you an opportunity to rest while all the things are taken care of.

Prepare food in advance

Although there’s always take-out and different meals that can be prepared quickly, you need to focus on your baby and getting back on your feet, which is why eating healthy food is the best way to go. This is something your friends and family can help you with – and don’t worry, they’ll all be happy to do that! Give them different recipes and make sure they follow instructions – mainly because mothers and their babies could be sensitive to spices or food that’s difficult to digest.

Postpartum care

From learning all the processes that will happen to your body – all the blood, milk, mood swings, and shrinking uterus – you need to know how to deal with different situations as well. Making sure you know all the basics of proper postpartum care will allow you to recognize a potentially stressful situation before it starts happening. If you’re one of those women who like to be prepared, knowing what to expect could help you stay on top of everything and make sure your mental health is in perfect condition. New moms often struggle with anxiety and stress when they don’t know how to handle different situations, so getting ready is simply a must.

Use help

There’s a lot of pressure on moms to adapt to this new situation quickly and get the hang of everything in a day or two. Sure, nature has made moms strong and given them instinct, but that doesn’t mean they’re all perfect. If you’d like to breastfeed, for instance, don’t pressure yourself into it if it’s not going as planned. Find a nurse or a doula who could help you learn the basics – the grip, the positions, and knowing when and how long to feed the baby. In addition to that, babywearing has a lot of benefits and there are many support groups that offer assistance in order to help everyone stay safe, so check this out as well. 

Learn to relax

You won’t be a bad mom if you have your partner or family member take your baby for a walk. Use that time to sleep, read a book, watch TV, or anything else! In addition to that, you can always schedule a relaxing massage, pedicure, facial, or any other treatment that might help you relax. This is important when it comes to your mental health and you’ll feel relaxed and less anxious after it. Go for a run, do chores, and allow yourself to have some alone time.

Postpartum care is a vital part of giving birth and women should take this period seriously. Let your body heal and get ready for a new period in your life. It’s always better to be prepared and learn what to do in different situations because this will relax you, and you’ll be able to spend more quality time with your newborn.