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Mother Care Post Child Birth |
Becoming a mother is an all encompassing life change. Often, in our efforts to keep this bundle of joy fed, changed and happy, we can easily lose sight of taking care of the 'mother-ship.'
Here's a list of personal save-all self care essentials for life after baby:
| 1. |
Shower yourself with care every day. It's easy in the chaos of transition to forget the simple joys of a daily shower. Buy a nice smelling soap to give yourself a little decadence as you care for this body that has brought you so much joy via the little person beside you. |
| 2. |
Clothes that fit. Buying clothes that fit in your size right now will give you the boost you need to look good while you're whittling the pounds away. |
| 3. |
Your routine. A good movie, book or radio/ TV show or some simple exercise... Can help you break free from the baby's routine. |
| 4. |
Chat-time! Everything's changed, but it's your old friends who remember the old you. Indulge in a little chat time next time you nurse, and reconnect to the friends who know exactly how to make you laugh. By connecting to your past, you'll have the grounding you need to take on your new role as a loving parent. |
| 5. |
New friends. No one understands what kind of major adjustments you are making to become a parent like the people who are going through this same transition. Try meeting with other young mothers who could easily form a part of a support group and you could meet with the babies at a neighborhood park- where you could take your baby for a change of scene! Find the people who really understand what it means to be you, at this moment in your parenting history. |
| 6. |
Sleep patrol. Go ahead, be a little obsessive about sleep. If you're not getting enough, everyone suffers, so you might as well take notice and start making the necessary adjustments. Knowing how much sleep you need to feel like yourself is an important part of your strategy for feeling sane. |
| 7. |
Alone time. No pressure here, and no one need be invited--babies and partners can wait. But you need time to make peace with your new body. Take some time to stretch, breath deeply. How about an hour's peace? An hour might as well be ten in the world of mothers of small children, but set it as a goal to steal 10 minutes here or there--especially when you are feeling disconnected. |
| 8. |
Walk it off. Do whatever it takes to see the sunshine or feel the fresh air. A little bit of nature will restore your soul and refresh your body. Take baby along and feel the energy return to you as you get your body moving. Even a tiny bit of exercise will help you feel more like yourself. There are many ways to lose weight after childbirth. Some are simple yet effective, while some require heavy workouts and commitment. Regular diet, trying some yoga asanas along with simple exercises and drinking plenty of water should do the trick. Breastfeeding as a practice also helps to regulate body weight. |
| 9. |
Spacing. The gap between your new baby and the next child as a minimum of 2-3 years is also a very important self-care measure that new mothers can take. |
 Earliest Time That a Woman Can Start a Family Planning Method After Childbirth
| Family Planning Method |
Fully or nearly fully breastfeeding |
Partially Breastfeeding or Not Breastfeeding |
| Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) |
Immediately |
(Not applicable) |
| Vasectomy |
Immediately or during partner’s pregnancy |
| Male or female condoms |
Immediately |
| Spermicides |
Immediately |
| Copper-bearing IUD |
Within 48 hours, otherwise wait for 4 weeks |
| Female sterilization |
Within 7 days, otherwise wait for 6 weeks |
| Levonorgestrel IUD |
4 weeks after childbirth |
| Diaphragm |
6 weeks after childbirth |
| Fertility awareness methods |
Start when normal secretions have returned (for symptoms-based methods) or after having 3 regular menstrual cycles (for calendar-based methods). This will be later for breastfeeding women than for women who are not breastfeeding. |
| Progestin-only pills |
6 weeks after childbirth |
Immediately if not breastfeeding. |
| Progestin-only injectible implants |
6 weeks after childbirth |
6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding |
| Combined oral contraceptives |
6 months after childbirth |
21 days after childbirth if not breastfeeding |
| Monthly injectables, Combined patch, Combines vaginal ring |
|
6 weeks after childbirth if partially breastfeeding |
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