Childbirth is simultaneously one of the most difficult and most fulfilling things that women can go through. And while most mothers are thinking of the wellbeing of their newborn, they shouldn’t forget to look after their own health too. This is especially true because no matter how many parenting books you might read, nothing truly prepares you for the torrent of emotions, hormones, and physical sensations you experience.
This article contains a few gentle reminders that you might want to heed if you’ve just given birth. So, what are some of the things you need to do after delivering a baby?
Eat Enough
It’s easy to skip a few meals in order to give attention to your baby. This, however, saps your body of much-needed nutrients, which, in turn, means that you end up with less energy than you need. Nutrition is especially important when you begin breastfeeding. A good way to resolve this is to eat while your baby eats. You can also fill your fridge with double batches of food so you have something to eat even when you don’t have enough energy to cook food for yourself
Limit Visits (Initially)
It’s only natural for your friends and family to want to visit your newborn, but childbirth is a draining process and it takes a heavy toll on the body. Entertaining visitors is only going to drain what limited resources you have. If you really want to have visitors, you might want to consider staggering these visits every other week.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is one of if not the most essential component of recovery. Yet, ironically, once you become a parent, regular sleep suddenly becomes a luxury. While babies sleep at least 16 hours a day, they do so in three to four-hour intervals, which are sure to keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. A good trick to get your sleep back is to sync up with your baby’s schedule. It’ll also help you a great deal if you teach your baby day from night. You can do this by leaving curtains open during the day and by ensuring that the nursery is dark and quiet at night.
Ask For Help
You won’t be of any help to anyone if you don’t have enough time for yourself. Sometimes, you’re going to need help from someone in your household to watch your baby while you find the time to take a shower, catch sleep, or to simply rest. It doesn’t necessarily have to be just about childcare, either. You can ask your partner to fulfill your other duties, such as laundry, cooking, and other roles you usually take on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to delegate. You may even want to consider hiring a maid.
Childbirth is a delicate process, both for the mother and for the baby. Any error during delivery can adversely affect the baby, sometimes, it may even result in permanent disabilities. It’s situations like this that warrant a call for expert help, like this Chicago Birth Injury Lawyers Firm’s seasoned specialists.
But, the struggle does not end there. As so frequently expressed in this article, the need for rest and recovery cannot be understated. While it’s a mother’s primary duty to ensure the health and safety of her child, she should also keep herself in good health in order to fulfill these duties properly.