Organic Mama Wisdom: Postpartum Care Tips

My dear friend is having a baby in a few months. As we celebrated her and her entrance to motherhood this weekend, I thought of a few practical tips I wish I’d known or accepted the first two times I had babies. This last time, as I’ve gotten back into the swing of baby-mothering, I feel so much more equipped and at peace with my role as my baby’s primary caretaker.

This postpartum healing experience is so different from my previous births, largely due a shift in my own attitude, approach to what really “needs” to get done and my willingness to let Rob pick up the slack. This time, I only took care of the bare minimums around the house and focused my energy on healing, nourishing my baby & loving his daddy and siblings.

As far as practical tips go, here are my suggestions.

 

Rest

You just ran a marathon

Climbed Mount Everest

and swam the English Channel

All that energy you feel

Is adrenaline

It wears off

 

Bask in the moment of your triumph

Let your body recover

It will take several months

To feel even close

To your old self

Yes

You are normal

 

In the meantime

Allow your friends and family

To celebrate you

And your new small one

 

Nurse right after labor

And every chance you get

See a lactation consultant

Birthing centers and hospitals have them

If you have trouble with your baby gaining weight after birth

See one again

It’s much easier to fix nursing problems at the beginning while supply is not yet established than it will be later

 

Rub coconut oil on your nipples after every nursing session

It is better than lanolin & won’t stain your clothes

Use it on your baby (it prevents cradle cap)

and all over you

 

Pretend you’re relaxing on a beach

Where there are no dirty dishes

 

 

Go to bed early, you’ll be up a lot in the night

Take naps, especially if your partner is home

Rest every chance you get

 

Eat watermelon

And you won’t fear your first post partum bowel movement

It’s better than stool softeners

Use your peri bottle

It will help you heal and cool things off down there

 

Don’t try to do housework your first week back

Let your love help you

In fact, let him be your servant

It’s part of his daddy job

Thank him often and kiss him lots

 

Eat nourishing food

Cooked veggies

Or Salads

Fruits

Protein

Carbs

Plenty of healthy fats

This is not the time to try to lose weight

You have a baby to feed

And a body to restore

 

Ask friends for help

Let loved ones bring you food

And pamper you

 

Start every day in the sunshine

Sing

Drink herbal tea

With friends

And relax

It will help you avoid

Postpartum depression

 

There’s plenty of time

To show off

Your new

Super-mom powers

 

Later

 

Congratulations, Mama.

 

Love this post? Take 30 seconds and do two things. Stay part of the conversation by joining the email list. No spam. Promise.

And Share this post with someone who needs encouragement today!

 

Read more: Motherhood. Am I Going to Survive This?

Read more: Making the Hard Parenting Choices. I Promise I’m Not Judging You.

One Comment

  • Thanks for your lovely post for the mama’s out there. It is simple and sweet. I especially love how you mention rest, nourishing food and sunshine… It’s the simple things in life that help immensely.

Leave a Reply