The New Mother: Taking Care of Yourself After Birth
Birthing a child is no simple task! Imagine having to carry a real, living being inside of you and being charged with their safety completely. You can’t do the things you loved, morning sickness and loose stools become a part of your routine, and those impossible to satisfy weird food cravings. It’s draining, to say the least.
After birth, the child becomes a priority. Somewhere in all of this chaos you are lost. You don’t realize that your body needs extra care and love after being stretched to its limit.
The first six weeks after pregnancy are extremely important. This is the time when you are adjusting mentally and physically to the new role of being a parent. Pregnancy changes your body in more ways than you can count. This is your guide to post pregnancy care:
A Little Shut-Eye Time
You don’t really get to sleep properly after birthing a little one. So, we would recommend you get as much shut-eye time as possible between nappy changes, feeding, soothing and keeping your child entertained. Children especially love to keep their parents up at night. Most often, your little one might be craving a midnight snack or they are crying their eyes out because of a wet diaper. Get your baby some Teddyy Baby Diapers for newborn for a good night’s sleep.
What to Eat
You need all the energy you can get to look after a little one. New moms need between 1,800 and 2,200. If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you need about 500 more calories. To figure out dietary requirements as per your physical health, consult your doctor.
Even though you’re not “eating for two” anymore, you need a lot of nutrients. When you sit down to have food make sure your meals have enough of calcium, iron, protein and other nutrients for postpartum recovery. Steer clear of processed, greasy, carbonated, sugary foods and drinks.
Help for new parents
Looking after a child is difficult, especially for first time parents who are absolutely clueless about the practical applications of all the tips and tricks found in those “new parents’ guides.”
It’s alright if you are making mistakes and don’t have it all magically figured out. It is fine if you are sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities. It’s okay if you feel tired. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your family and friends for help. Take breaks from parenting every once in a while. Have a person you trust look after the child while you go out on a dinner date or movie night with your partner.
Along with this, don’t skip your regular appointments with the doctor.
