The first week after birth is tiring and exciting.You will be bonding with your baby.You will be recovering emotionally and physically from the birth.There are a lot of things you can do to heal and adjust to this new phase of life.If you need help, ask for it from family, friends, and resources in your community.
Step 1: You have to get as much sleep as you can.
Your baby will wake up to eat.It's best to sleep when your baby sleeps.It is possible to make up for your deficit by napping during the day.Your body can produce milk if you get enough rest.You will most likely feel exhausted from the birth and excitement.As your body heals, you will feel better.If you have older children that need supervision, ask family members or friends to babysit.You can sleep for a few hours during the day.
Step 2: Your partner should help you.
If you don't have a family room where your partner can stay with you and the baby in the hospital, you may feel left out.Give your partner plenty of time to hold the baby.Discuss how you both feel after the birth with your partner.You don't have to get up to nurse if your partner brings the baby to you.Your partner can change the baby's diaper, bathe him, and dress him.If you have older children, ask your partner to watch them.If your older child is big enough, your partner can explain how to hold the baby and supervise the initial bonding period between the siblings.
Step 3: Be aware of the baby blues.
Around three to five days after the birth, many women feel exhausted and sad.The hormonal changes in your body can cause this.You are vulnerable to the baby blues if you are very tired, the birth was difficult, or your recovery is preventing you from taking care of your baby the way you want to.After one to two weeks, the baby blues are normal.It's difficult to make choices when you're extremely emotional and Crying without an apparent cause.
Step 4: Postpartum depression can be identified.
Postpartum depression is more severe than the baby blues and doesn't go away after a week or two.It usually starts two weeks to two months after the baby is born, but it can start sooner or later.Post-partum depression can affect one in 10 women and 4% of teenage mothers.If a friend or family member thinks you may have postpartum depression, you should talk to your doctor.Loss of interest in the baby is one of the symptoms of traumatic stress disorder.
Step 5: Give yourself time to bond with your baby.
Some women don't experience love at first sight.It will come when you give yourself time to bond.This doesn't make you a bad mother.As you bond, the love will come.As you bond with your baby, you can still give them everything they need.Older children are included in your bonding.An older child can sit with you as you hold the baby.Explain to the older child that they will be a big brother or big sister and that the younger sibling will look up to them.When the baby is bigger, they can play together.
Step 6: There is a new mothers' group.
You will be able to get support from women who are going through the same thing that you are.You will be able to trade breastfeeding tips and solve daily puzzles as part of your new phase of life.New friends.Support will buffer you against depression.
Step 7: Ask for help when you need it.
You will feel overwhelmed in the first week after birth.A small amount of help from friends and family can make things feel more manageable and give you time to take care of yourself.Friends bringing you meals so that you don't have to cook.Alternatively, your relatives can come and stay with you for a few days and cook for you.You won't have to cook for a few days after they go home if you freeze food.A family member is holding a baby.Family members can dress the baby and burp it.While you nurse and take care of yourself, they can help supervise older children.
Step 8: Take notice of the changes in your body.
Your body is healing and adjusting to not having a baby.Your abdomen will feel loose and baggy because the muscles and skin have stretched out.It will return to normal slowly.Your uterus contracts when you are breastfeeding.It could be that you feel similar to when you have your period.Tell your doctor if it's very uncomfortable.
Step 9: Vaginal bleeding can be absorbed by wearing pads.
It will be heavy in the first few days.It will be lighter over time.The discharge may be either yellow or white.This could last for six weeks.If you pass large clumps of blood, call your doctor.If you bleed through more than one large pad in an hour, you should call the doctor.Try it with witch hazel.You can put a sanitary pad between the wound and the witch hazel pads that the hospital may give you.Promoting healing will be helped by this.You can buy bath teas after the baby is born.You can put healing herbs in your bath.The tissues are healing so don't use them.There is a risk of an infection withpons.
Step 10: After an Episiotomy, bathe your stitches in warm water.
If you were cut to help the baby out, the doctors may have sewn you up.Most hospitals will give you a "peri-bottle" which you can fill with warm water and use to rinse your perineum after you urinate.It will help keep the area clean.If it is not comfortable, lie on your side.You can purchase a padded ring to sit on.The pressure around your vagina is relieved.Talk to your doctor before taking any painkillers, even over-the-counter ones.Your doctor will be able to tell you if your medication is safe for your baby while you nurse.You can hold a clean pad over the stitches if they hurt.When you have bowel movements, try not to push too hard.You can increase your fiber intake by eating fresh produce, salads, and whole-grain breads.This will help keep your stool soft.It's a good idea to drink extra water as well.Your doctor may recommend stool softeners if this isn't enough.The stitches don't have to be removed.If the cut or tear gets worse, contact your doctor.
Step 11: If you leak a small amount of urine, don't worry.
Women may leak urine if they laugh or cough.It is tempting to drink less water in order to not have to pee as often.It will reduce your milk production if you dehydrate yourself.You should drink at least eight cups of water a day.You can get the muscles back into shape by doing the Kegel exercises.You can start once you have healed.If you want to stop the flow of urine, you need to tighten the muscles that you use.This is done several times.As you get stronger, you will be able to do more.You can do reps where you squeeze and hold for 10 seconds.If you have a burning sensation when you pee, or if you pass only a small amount of urine, contact your doctor immediately.
Step 12: If you have hemorrhoids don't strain.
There are veins around your anus.They are usually healed after a few days.Your doctor may be able to give you something that you can put on to make the pain go away.Eating whole-grains, fresh vegetables, fruits, and salads will increase your fiber intake.Drink more water.When you have bowel movements, this will help to keep your stool soft.
Step 13: It's a good idea to give yourself time to recover after a birth.
You may need to stay in the hospital for up to three days.You can go home after 24 hours if you have help at home.Rest as much as you can during the first week.This can be either sleeping or bed rest.You can lower your risk of getting a blood clot by walking a little bit each day.Just enough is all it takes to make sure your blood is circulating properly.This will help you relax.Ask your doctor or midwife how much walking you should do.If you want to avoid straining your stomach muscles, try not to go up and down stairs more than necessary.Wait until your doctor tells you that you're ready to drive, lift heavy objects, or have sex.You should follow your doctor's instructions for cleaning and changing dressings.
Step 14: Look for signs of hunger in your baby.
Once per hour is when your baby will want to drink frequently.Colostrum is the first milk your body makes.It is very concentrated and sometimes yellow.Your baby will drink a small amount at each meal.When your baby is hungry, move their head around and make sucking motions.Babies suck their fingers.Either cry or fuss.
Step 15: Attach your baby to your breast.
The correct feeding position will help your baby drink easily.You can hold your baby close to your nipple.Softly rubbing their upper lip to encourage them to open their mouth.As they tip their heads back, bring them to your breast.Your nipple should go into their mouth and they should have a large mouthful of it.
Step 16: You can try different breastfeeding positions.
You will be able to figure out what works best for you and your baby.There are different positions to try.The baby should be held with the arm that is opposite from the breast.Use your hand to support their head.You can use your hand to support your breast.Instead of leaning towards the baby, bring it to you.There is a cradle hold.The baby should be cradled in the arm that is on the same side as the breast.Football is held.This position is good for women who just had a C-section because the baby doesn't rest on your belly.The baby should be held on the same side as the breast that you are offering.The baby will be moving towards you.The hold is side-lying.Lie on the bed with your baby.You need to be with your baby.You should return the baby to their own bed when you go back to sleep if you want to use this position for night feedings.
Step 17: As your milk arrives, develop a routine.
After a few days, your breasts will get bigger and you will be able to drink milk.Your body will make more when your baby drinks milk.As long as the baby wants you to feed him, you should.It's called baby-led feeding.You should give birth during the day and at night.Some women don't want to feed their baby with breast milk.It is possible for you to give your baby formula.You will know that your baby is getting enough milk when they gain weight, pee at least six times a day and pass yellow stool.
Step 18: If you need help, ask.
It can take a while for you and your baby to figure out what works best for them.There are many resources that you can reach out to if you are having difficulties.Asking for help from a lactation consultant at the hospital is one example.Even after you leave the hospital, many offer free advice on breastfeeding.Someone may come to your house to help you or a hospital-supported breast feeding group.A private consultant is going to La Leche League meetings.The La Leche League is dedicated to helping mothers breastfeed.They offer support in many languages.If there are meetings in your area, you can check online.You may be able to get help over the phone or online.