The six weeks after childbirth is known as postpartum period and is considered critical for both the mother and the newborn. It is the time when your body recovers after vaginal delivery or C-section. Everybody is different, so you must give ample time for your body to heal completely. Managing your newborn may be overwhelming in the first few weeks after delivery. Taking immediate care of the mother after delivery can help them regain strength and avoid the risk of postpartum complications. The postpartum period is challenging for most of the new moms. But you can cope with it by understanding the 5 importance of postnatal care for both mother and newborn.
New moms require to eat a balanced diet after childbirth to restore good health. Nursing mothers require about 500 extra calories in their diet. Eat plenty of proteins, foods rich in calcium and all the essential nutrients to produce nutritious breast milk. Include a lot of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet after childbirth. You should aim to have a balanced diet with plenty of lean meats, low fat dairy products, high-fiber food, and plenty of fluids. This greatly helps in improving your health after pregnancy by speeding your recovery, producing enough milk and support overall wellbeing.
2. Practice Hygiene for Mothers and Newborns
Proper personal hygiene after delivery can help avoid postpartum complications in the mother and newborn. Proper physical hygiene avoids the risk of infections in new mothers.
Wash your hands whenever you visit the restroom if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Clean your baby's diaper area with a wet wipe after they poop.
Never keep your baby wet for long. Change the diaper often or as and when it is required.
Check for infections in your stitches, either C-section or vaginal delivery.
Clean your nipples before and after feeding your baby
Keep the perineum area clean to avoid infections
3. Take Care of Physical Health
Your body goes through a lot of changes after childbirth. While giving birth vaginally or by C-section, it results in stress in pelvic muscles, nerves, and ligaments. It takes six to eight weeks for your body to recover completely after childbirth. You may experience intense body pain, cramping, bleeding, and vaginal discharge immediately after delivery.
Avoid lifting weights: During the initial days after childbirth, especially in the case of a C-section, avoid lifting heavy weights. This is because your body has yet to recover from childbirth. Lifting heavy weights can result in severe postpartum complications.
Manage Pain: You may experience pain in your back, breasts and perineum area after childbirth. Consult your doctor if the pain is too intense or unbearable. Your doctor may recommend painkillers to ease pain. Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, postnatal massage and deep breathing to alleviate pain. Go for hot and cold compresses to ease perineum pain.
Manage Weight Right: You would have gained weight during pregnancy. But you must continue eating a balanced and nutritious diet to breastfeed your baby. But keep an eye on your weight gain. Too much weight gain post-delivery can result in other complications.
Get Sufficient Sleep: Sleep is a natural way of healing your body after childbirth. Proper sleep is essential. You may feel exhausted from handling your newborn after delivery, as your body is yet to recover. So, rest as and when you get time, preferably when your baby sleeps.
Stay Hydrated: New moms must drink 5-6 glasses of water daily to keep themselves hydrated. You can also increase your fluid intake by drinking juice and milk.
Do you know one in eight moms suffer from postpartum depression? This is because your body goes through several changes physically and emotionally. You may feel anxious about taking care of your baby. Each baby is different and at times your baby may be fussy and managing the baby may be difficult. Lack of sleep due to feeding and managing daily chores can lead to exhaustion. All of these things can be overwhelming during the first few weeks
The knowledge of postnatal care helps you take the right steps to manage your mental health. Here are the things to do to manage your mental health after your pregnancy:
Get involved in any physical activity like walking. This can improve your mood.
Communicate your feelings and emotions to your loved ones.
Prioritize sleep to manage your mental health.
Set realistic and practical goals for parenting.
Never strive for perfection in parenting. Stick to a parenting style that works for you.
Taking warm baths can help in relieving stress.
Practice meditation to calm and relax your mind.
Never hesitate to ask for help from your partner, friends, and relatives.
Connect with support groups.
5. Prioritize Self Care
Self-care during the postpartum period plays a key role in the overall well-being of new moms.
Take out Time for Yourself: Do things that make you happy, like cooking, baking, gardening, painting, etc. These keep your mind relaxed.
Spend Quality Time with Your Partner: Pregnancy and childbirth can affect the bond between you and your partner.
Start to Exercise: Staying active by practicing simple exercise can help you regain your health after childbirth.
Eat Healthy: Never compromise on eating a healthy diet during the postpartum period.
Get Support: Ask your family or partner to care for your baby when you feel exhausted.
Postpartum care aims to provide proper care for your health and baby. This helps to enjoy your parenting journey to the fullest. It takes some time to adapt to changes in your lifestyle after childbirth. Never hesitate to discuss your concerns and issues post-delivery with your healthcare provider.
FAQs:
1. What is postpartum care for a mother?
Postpartum care for a mother is taking proper care of their health after childbirth. Postpartum care for mother includes taking care of their physical and mental health, eating nutritious food and practicing self-care.
2. What is the postpartum care plan?
The postpartum care plan includes maintaining nursing, pain management and eating a nutritious diet.
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