Resources for New Moms

Weeks One and Two: The moment a baby is born, so is a mother

Birth takes a large toll on the body, no matter vaginal or c-section and recovery can be long and painful.

In general:

• Take Tylenol and Advil in recurrent, controlled intervals to subside pain.
• Take your temperature 2-4 times a day for the first 3 days. If above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, you may be experiencing a fever due to infection. Call your physician immediately.
• Small movements can help to relieve postpartum pain
• Nutritious foods are necessary; especially ones high in protein! Whatever you eat, the baby eats too!
• Nipples will be sore after breastfeeding so using lanolin or a cool compress right after may help to combat tenderness

---

How to Breastfeed

Breastfeeding is one of the core ways you and your baby bridge the gap between the womb and the outside world. Your milk holds nutrients for your baby that are essential for healthy growth. It also helps to decrease the risk of ovarian and breast cancer, postpartum depression, hypertension, etc. Sore/Painful nipples are common in most women and are often due to incorrect baby-to-mother latching. If there is bleeding or cracking, make sure to contact your midwife or a healthcare supporter as soon as possible. Some ways to subside pain include:

• Use breast pads without plastic backing and change after each feed
• Wear a cotton bra for better circulation
• Avoid nipple shields or breast shells
• Feed your baby as long as they want. feeding in shorter periods will not make them more or less sore and may affect milk production
• Use lanolin around nipples or dabble on some breastmilk after feeding

---

How to Avoid the Nocturnal Baby Stage

Baby life is blissful…for the baby. Eat and sleep on repeat, but this can get hard for parents who need to be there to feed him/her at odd hours of the night. Tips that might help:

• Set your baby on a schedule
  Newborn babies sleep close to 12 hours a day and premature babies sleep even more. Over time, babies will start to be awake longer but also sleep for longer periods of time.
• Create a calming environment
  Dim the lights and keep the room quiet to associate bedtime with a quiet time. Avoid stimulation and/or playing with your baby before nap time.
• Put them to sleep drowsy but awake
  Look for signs of tiredness (rubbing eyes and yawning) and place them on their back in the crib. This associates drowsiness with sleep.
• Try to keep them up during the day and asleep at night
  Melatonin is associated with sunlight and the more sunlight there is, the less melatonin is created. It’s important to try to keep them awake during the day so that they are more tired at night.
• Change feeding schedule
  For example, if your baby tends to wake up at 2 am after being fed at 7 pm. Try waking up your baby at 11 pm to feed and allow them to sleep until 5-6 am for an early morning feed.

---

Sources