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By Amanda of Kicky Boots
Here’s what they don’t tell you: the post-partum recovery period is really hard. Sure, it’s amazing to finally cradle your baby in your arms and experience the joy of motherhood. But mixed in with that joy is exhaustion, uncertainty, sleep deprivation and a really sore hoo-ha. Here are some tips to make your post-partum experience a tad more enjoyable:
1. Toss Your Expectations.
We all have dreams of what life with a baby will be like, what kind of parents we will be, what blissful children we will have. If things don’t go according to our plans, it can be devastating, especially for a new mom battling sleep deprivation and intense hormonal surges. We all hit glitches along the way: maybe breastfeeding is a gong-show and you have to switch to formula, perhaps your baby is screaming ‘round the clock, maybe your partner isn’t as hands-on as you had hoped. It’s OK. You will find your way amidst the challenges, and don’t let yourself feel like a failure if things don’t go as you had planned.
2. Eat.
Labour is exhausting. Caring for a newborn can suck the life out of you. Breastfeeding is, quite literally, draining. Make sure you’re eating enough so that your body can function at its best during this difficult time. Listen to your body (mine often tells me it needs cookies) and don’t even think about stepping on a scale for at least two weeks.
3. Accept Help.
You know those people who say, “If there’s anything I can do, just let me know”? Take them up on it! You can respond to their offer with, “Actually, we could really use a casserole” or “Great! Want to scrub my toilet? It’s been a while”.
4. Step Away From the Sweat Pants.
As tempting as it may be to spend a few months in stretchy and forgiving sweat pants, I guarantee you will feel much better if you actually take the time to have a shower, dab on some lip gloss and button up your jeans. If your pre-pregnancy clothes are still a tad snug, go shopping at a discount store and buy some cheap tops and jeans that fit your body now. You’ll be pleased to watch them get looser and looser as the months go by.
5. Get Out!
Even if it’s just to buy a stamp or a jug of milk, make the effort to get out of the house at least once a day. The fresh air will restore you, the outing will help break up the vast expanse of the day, and you will feel as though you’ve accomplished something.
What did you do to make it through your post-partum recovery? Any pearls of wisdom for the expecting moms out there?
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kickyboots.com » Blog Archive » Problem Solved | November 4th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
One thing I did (moreso with my first) was make a point to take a shower every morning, and even if I couldn’t, I’d still try to get ready and look like “normal.” It really did wonders for my mental state.
Congrats on the column!
LVGurl | November 4th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Read! But don’t let yourself think that yourtbaby is going to be a by-the-book baby. Just try to get the gist of it so that you KIND OF know what to expect!
Mrs. Wilson | November 4th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
This is a great post. I’m two years past my latest postpartum period but I remember them both vividly and firmly believe they are the hardest times of life imaginable! Joy-filled, sure, but also unfathomably hard. I second the advice to EAT. It is truly amazing how many calories the postpartum body needs to heal and nurse. I’ve never eaten more in my life than the first few weeks after giving birth, and the baby weight still fell off like magic. Your body needs fuel!
Shannon | November 4th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Rest when the baby sleeps! I was terrible at doing this, but in retrospect, it would have helped a LOT. When my baby was asleep, I would frantically catch up on housework, worried that visitors would think I was a useless mother who couldn’t even keep her laundry pile under control. The fact that I had a baby with reflux meant that I had TONS of laundry, but I wish I had just left the dry stuff strewn all over the sofa and had a sleep instead (or at least a lie-down with a trashy mag with Oprah on in the background). I would have asked my visitors to find a seat amongst the laundry, or even better, fold some first!!!
Hannah | November 4th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Thank you, Amanda! This is the sort of advice I’ll be turning to very, very soon.
Leah K | November 4th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I totally agree and would just add some helpful advice I received and that was to trust yourself. Everyone always has TONS of usually unsolicited, usually conflicting advice, but you are the one with your baby 24/7 and you know them the best. If something seems off, you would know best. If you think they are fine, they probably are. Do what works for you and your baby. Sometimes people have good ideas and suggestions and obviously we all need some help, but don’t go down a road your gut is telling you not to just because someone or a book told you to. That’s my two cents….worked for us anyways. Oh…and stocking up on good DVD’s for the endless hours of nursing!
AmyQ | November 5th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Great words of wisdom from Amanda!!
Frieda | November 7th, 2008 at 11:12 pm