Postpartum, what happens next?

Congratulations, your baby is here! Chances are you've really prepared up to this point, but now what? The days that come after baby are both sacred and exhausting. We're here to give you the real talk on what you can expect after your baby is born and how to make your postpartum period an easier transition. Here are several tips that will be helpful in the days that come.

1. Your only job after having your baby is to snuggle, nurse, and bond with your baby. It is not a time for you to be on your feet doing normal everyday activities. You just gave birth and your placenta has left a wound in your uterus causing you to bleed. The more you do, the heavier you will bleed and we do not want that. Your body needs the appropriate time to heal. So use this time to rest, snuggle your baby, and give the chores to someone else. Also, your baby regulates your milk supply. The more your baby is skin to skin with you and able to nurse when he/she wants to, the better the nursing relationship will be. Plus, your baby is used to you, you bring the greatest comfort to them. So, for the first few weeks, sit back, relax, and be with your baby. All day. And don't feel guilty one bit.

2. The size of a babies tummy is very small. So that small amount of colostrum you are seeing IS enough. Allow any negative thoughts about the inability to nurse exit your brain, and promptly, because we know you can do this. During the first few days, your baby will help signal your hormones to make milk. The colostrum that you have will be a very small amount, but it is full of goodness. This thick, nutrient-dense colostrum fills baby and gives them everything they need while they wait for your milk to come in. Most moms can expect to have their milk come in within five days after baby arrives. It is normal to feel your breast engorged, and it is normal to leak or not to leak. Every mother, and every nursing journey is different. Remember to nurse on demand. If your baby feeds for a while, unlatches, and minutes later wants another suckle, that is totally okay and normal. In the coming weeks, you will feel that your baby only wants you for milk, but I promise you they love you for a million more reasons AND because no one is better than their own mommy. Just remember it gets easier, and while the days are long, the time is short.

3. Just because breastfeeding is natural does not mean it is always easy. A lot of moms feel so much pressure when it comes to their baby's latching. And while there are instances where baby takes right to the breast and has a great latch, a lot of moms struggle. I am here to say that is okay! With your constant efforts, support from your family, and with lactation support, you CAN conquer anything. So, if your babies latch is great and you are nursing well, wonderful and Congratulations! But for the mamas in the back who are struggling, Im holding your hand, and you have this.

So, reasons why baby might be struggling..

- Lip/tongue ties- don't fret, just make sure to have your pediatrician, care provider, or lactation counselor take a look. Most ties can be worked with.

-Inverted/flat nipples- sometimes, it takes a little longer for inverted/flat nipples to erect. The more you nurse, the more they will erect, this takes time.

-A crying baby- Babies cue they are hungry by moving their heads, sticking out their tongues, sucking on their hands before they cry. Crying is the last signal they use for hunger, so make sure to watch for your baby's cues he/she is hungry.

-Position of baby- position is important. Make sure you and your baby are well supported with pillows, and bring baby to you.

Tricks that help with latch include massaging your breast and hand expressing a bit of milk just prior to latching your baby. You can use the expressed milk to rub around your nipple and areola; this will help give your baby a greater desire to stay at the breast. Use your hand under the baby's head to navigate the baby's mouth to your breast and with your free hand, you'll hold your breast and tickle from nose to chin to get your baby to open its mouth wide. When your baby opens their mouth, bring baby to breast with a gentle push onto the breast.

4. Eat! You may feel like you are starving, and that is normal! You need 300 more calories postpartum than you needed in pregnancy. You are feeding that precious angel, but you are also healing from birth. You will need lots of healthy and nutritious food, continue on your vitamins, water, and enjoy a sweet treat here and there. Because your breastmilk is made up of what you eat, smart to avoid foods like broccoli, cauliflower, and dairy, as these foods can cause gas and discomfort for baby.

5. Postpartum is super intense. You can feel many different ways, from excitement to tears, but this is all due to establishing and finding a new normal. As your baby grows, you will get to know your baby; their cries, their sleep patterns, and get into the swing of breastfeeding. In the first several weeks, it is normal to feel overwhelmed; it is a whole new experience. Hormones dive within the first three weeks and can make you feel happy and sad all at once. The height of sleep deprivation also occurs at this same time, and the baby has a growth spurt, making this time frame feel like it has big ups and downs. Generally, as you make it towards the 4th-6th week, the new normal has become established, routine begins, and life feels more stable.

   

Enjoy your postpartum, snuggle your baby, take every picture, and embrace every moment. Postpartum can be that place where you feel every emotion, but it is short and surreal. Just remember, these are the very first days of life for your baby and the first few days of motherhood. It is a beautiful but hard dance as you get to know each other. Treasure it, it's the only time like it in your baby's life.