FOUR T H I N G S Y OU SHOULD
DO NO W T O P R E P A RE FOR A
BETTE R P O S T P A RTUM
1. GATHER YOUR SUPPORT TEAM
It's time to gather your dream team of people who you
want to support you after birth. This may be friends,
family, social/faith groups professionals who you feel
comfortable asking for advise or talking through your
emotions or new parent challenges. You should also
have people in mind who are willing to come help with
the practical side of having a new baby - bringing meals,
throwing in some laundry, doing a load of dishes,
holding your baby for a few minutes so you can shower,
and hanging out with older siblings. And no, your parent
can't do it all alone!
People in your inner circle who already have kids will
often be your biggest support in this category because
they are familiar with how much support new parents
need. Rely on the village it takes to grow a family!
Don't have nearby family or close friends you want to
ask for help? That's where professionals like postpartum
doulas, house cleaners, or baby sitters come in handy.
Now is the time to splurge on these services!
3. BUILD YOUR NEST
Although there's no need to completely renovate your
home to prepare for postpartum, creating a functional
space will serve you in a few ways postpartum. First, you
want the spaces that you'll spend the most time in to be
functional. Consider re-arranging furniture or tweaking
things so you'll have all the supplies you'll need for you
and for baby handy (so think about having plenty of
diapers and snacks close by, for example).
But you also should make sure the space feels good to
you, which will boost your mood and help your healing.
Clear some clutter and some dust. Fill your space with
comfy textures, soothing colors, or maybe your favorite
aroma, and gift yourself a pleasant postpartum place to
heal in. You deserve it!
References
Hibbert, C. (2017). Postpartum depression treatment: Self-help. Retrieved from http://www.drchristinahibbert.com/postpartum-depression-treatment/self-help/
Lim, R. (2001). After the baby's birth: A woman's way to wellness : a complete guide for postpartum women (2nd edition).
Ou, H., Greeven, A., Belger, M. (2016). The first forty days: The essential art of nourishing the new mother. New York, New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang.
wisdomwithinbirth.com
2. PLAN OUT YOUR MENU
When you are recovering from the hard work of birth,
learning how to parent, and making milk to feed your
little one, you need wholesome food to fuel you
through the day. In fact, you need about 500 extra
calories while feeding an infant. Processed foods just
won't cut it to keep you healthy. Instead, try to plan
ahead for how you can get whole, nourishing foods
throughout your postpartum time.
Thinking about starting a meal train (check out
mealtrain.com) to have your support people deliver
meals to your door, make and freeze food in smaller
portions ahead of time (make a party out of this!), or
ask for some baby shower gifts to be gift cards for take
out.
You can also sign up for grocery delivery services so
fresh, healthy food can easily find its way to you with
just a couple of clicks.
4. LEARN TO RELAX
This can mean a few different things. First and foremost,
the importance of rest in the postpartum period cannot
be stressed enough. Getting in this mindset now will
make it easier to accept after birth. You should get as
much sleep as you can in the early days and weeks. Then
rest your body, mind, and spirit when you can no longer
sleep. Stay close to home (and your nest you've created).
Revile in your birth and in your power. Appreciate meals
in bed. Expect a slower pace of life while adjusting to life
with a baby. Dedicate the postpartum time to healing,
learning, and bonding.
Allow yourself to let go of expectations for what you
think you "should" be doing or major plans for after
birth. Practice mindfulness or conscious thoughts during
pregnancy to help prepare you for early parenting.