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Care For You, The New Mom
REST
You will be busy with the baby so adequate rest is important.
Set aside a rest period for yourself, both morning and afternoon,
preferably when the baby is asleep. Requesting help with household
work is a good idea. Strenuous activities should be avoided
for at least two weeks. It is best not to lift anything heavier
than the baby during this time.
EMOTIONS AND FEELINGS
Sometimes women experience emotional irregularity during the
first several weeks after delivery. These episodes might include
crying easily, becoming discouraged, feeling overwhelmed,
and sometimes feeling inadequate. Changes in hormones, fatigue,
adjustments to the new baby, and changes in the family structure
all contribute toward your feelings. Try not to worry about
it. Share your feelings with your loved ones and get more
rest and support from family members and friends.
VITAMINS AND DIET
It is very important that you continue eating a well-balanced
diet, one that includes fruits, vegetables, milk products,
bread, cereals and meat. If you are breast-feeding, you will
need to eat a diet that provides 500-600 more calories a day
than the diet you followed before you were pregnant. You should
also drink at least 8 glasses or 48 ounces of fluid daily.
Finish your supply of prenatal vitamins and iron pills. If
you are breast-feeding, continue prenatal vitamins throughout
the breast-feeding period. Be sure to take any other medications
your doctor prescribes. If you are anemic, a diet high in
iron is suggested. This would include liver, other meats,
eggs, fish, dried fruits (such as raisins, prunes, and apricots)
dark leafy greens, peas and beans, whole grain breads and
cereals.
BREAST
CARE
You should wear a bra that gives you good support. Your milk
will generally come in within 3 to 5 days after you have had
your baby, regardless of whether you are breast feeding or
not. Mothers who have elected not to breast-feed should wear
a bra night and day for a week, or until the milk has dried
up. Some leakage of milk is normal. Try not to express milk
manually. For relief of engorged breasts, use small ice packs
(ice wrapped in a washcloth) for 30 minutes, 4 times a day.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
may be used for discomfort. Avoid hot showers or any other
from of breast stimulation for 20 days or until your breasts
are soft and the milk supply disappears.
Introduction
Home
Care for You, the New Mom
Feeding
Getting
to Know Your Baby
Caring
For Your Baby
Signs
of Possible Illness
A
Safety Checklist
Parent
Education
