Whether it’s your first or fourth baby, this beautiful and tender time can be quite challenging without proper planning. You don’t have to just survive, you can thrive! Here are 3 key areas to consider as you plan to bring baby home: Rest, Nourishment, and Support.
Rest
Pregnancy brings lots of physical, emotional, and relationship changes. I encourage my clients to rest as much as possible. It may no longer look like uninterrupted 6-8 hours of sleep because of the baby’s small stomach, but rest is critical to healing and bonding. The hormones released when nursing a baby are meant to relax both of you.
Practical considerations: Set up stations around your home with water, one-handed snacks like nuts or dried fruit. Practice skin-to-skin as much as possible in the first few weeks. What will help you power nap between infant feeding sessions - black-out curtains, eye mask, soothing music, or a sound machine?
Nourishment
Both the baby and the birthing parent need to be well nourished during this time. Most comfort or convenience foods are not ideal for postpartum healing and increasing energy. Many cultures encourage warm, easy-to-digest food. If you’re offering human milk to your newborn, you will be hungry and thirsty more often.
Practical considerations: Prepare (delegate!) food you can freeze and thaw easily for the first few weeks. Have your helpers make sure water is refilled often and in various locations.
Support
While you’re still expecting it is a is a great time to assemble your support circle! Be prepared when people ask how they can help. It’s okay to ask for help. Keep a list of tasks you would love help with and direct visitors accordingly. Send your friend who loves to cook some nutrient-dense recipes. Can you connect with a night owl friend for a few minutes at 3 a.m.? Taking steps to prepare for postpartum is even more important if it feels like your circle is very small or nonexistent.
Practical considerations: Seek out peer support groups — new parent, lactation, NICU parents, etc. that are often free. If your budget and insurance allow, seek professional help* — postpartum and/or lactation support professional, pelvic floor therapist, mental health therapist, house cleaner, dog walker, etc. *some services may be covered by insurance or flexible spending accounts. Learn the physical and mental health signs of when you or a loved one need to call 911 such as fever or intense irritability.