As an expecting mom, it’s so easy to get caught up with all the things we need to do to prepare for birth, setting up the nursery, picking the baby name, and getting all the cutest gadgets and clothes for your little one. Because we get so caught up in these good things, it gets easy to forget to prepare for the aftermath of birth, postpartum.
Here are three things to think about when preparing for postpartum; your care, breastfeeding support, and how your spouse/partner can support you.
1. Your Care Kit
There are many things to think about on how to take care of yourself after giving birth. Taking care of your vaginal and pelvic floor area will be one of their first things you will be doing. Here are a few items to add to your postpartum care kit:
- A Peri Bottle: this can be used to help spray water to clean down there. This is especially helpful if you are trying to avoid/decrease wiping.
- Ice Perineal Pads/Pads: they are perfect in helping soothe and heal irritated skin and help with pain relief. Regular pads can also work when adding witch hazel and aloe vera on it. (Frida Mom is a great brand to start with).
- Witch Hazel: Witch Hazel helps heal, soothe, and calm your perineal area. You can choose to make a spray bottle of it, or buy witch hazel wipes. Wipes can be a great way to help prevent further pain as you recover when you use the restroom or need to wipe.
- Aloe Vera: also helps calm and soothe irritated skin. You can wipe it on your perineal area or put it on your pad.
- Protective Underwear: You can choose to get disposable or washable underwear, but make sure it is something that you feel comfortable in and will help prevent leakage.
- A Change of Clothes and Other Toiletries: There’s nothing better than feeling human again by taking a nice warm shower and changing into new clothes after your birth. You want to start motherhood feeling clean and refreshed. You deserve it after bring this new angel into the world.
Have these items available in your bag and also by your toilet at home. It will truly help you in your recovery.
2. Breastfeeding Support
Now that you have brought your little into your world, breastfeeding is your next step in helping your sweet baby. Breastfeeding can be a hard and lonely path, so make sure you get the support you need before you give birth. Join a breastfeeding/lactation group or find a Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) that you trust to help you. Attend the meetings/appointments before birth, that way you understand what to expect, helping it not becoming an overwhelming and scary experience. You do not need to to do this alone! Come and get started by attending one of our next lactation/breastfeeding support groups the TLC, click the link below.
Announcing The Free Breastfeeding Support Group – The Lactation Collection
3. How Dad Can Prepare to Help
Something to also consider is to start thinking about and communicating with your spouse/partner on how you can and would like to be supported during your postpartum and breastfeeding journey. He can make sure you always have a filled water bottle, that you have plenty of snacks where you breastfeed, and having a bottle of pumped milk or formula ready to feed the baby with if you need to rest. You want to make sure you rest and lie low the next couple weeks. Meal prepping frozen meals together before the birth can also help decrease stress and time spent on cooking, and it can help your spouse/partner knows how and what to prepare for both of you. You can also turn to your community/church to help bring your family meals if money is tight or just need help with a few extra meals. Your spouse/partner can also help you by helping around the house by cleaning, taking care of the bills, and the laundry so that you don’t have to think about them. This is your self-care time! And he can also watch the baby so that you can get the deserved rest that you need.
Final Thoughts
Here at the Utah Birth Place, we hold many resources from masseuses, breastfeeding support, to physical therapy to help you in your new journey. So come and meet your own personal team of support. No mom should do this journey alone, let us help you in this journey. You are strong and are preparing to do/ you did a miraculous thing, of bringing life into the world!
