PostPartum and your Care Plan: Part 3
PostPartum and Your Care Plan: Part 3
In this last Postpartum blogpost, we are focusing on what to expect after day 10 or so from your babies birth.
You are home. Settling in with your newborn. Working on breastfeeding and trying to figure out your babies noises: “Can she be THAT hungry. I just fed her an hour ago?” “ANOTHER dirty diaper?! Is he a pooping machine???” The answer: Yes. And Yes. Haha!
Transitioning from the belly to the outside world takes time. Your baby has had more time in the womb, than outside the womb- so this transition time, or “the 4th Trimester” is truly just an extension of the time inside. Your baby will be adjusting to the new sounds, sensations, and sights; all the while trying to figure out what a hunger cue is, what digestion is, and so much more.
Cues, or signs, is an action or movement that your baby may be showing to give non-verbal communication. Watching your baby for facial movements or hand-to-face movements can show that baby is starting to feel hungry. For example, smacking their lips, while it looks so cute, is often an early sign that they are feeling hungry. Sucking on their hands, trying to nurse or suck on a toy, adults shirt or arm are all signs that baby is getting ready to eat.
Yawning is a great “Sleepy Cue”…..an early sign of baby being tired. For my postpartum clients, I look for the 2nd yawn from baby to begin our sleep routines that we’ve discussed prior. (Each of my postpartum clients gets an individual care plan or routine set to find what works best for their family.)
Another thing we can expect around this day 10-14 is a “growth spurt” or leap. Typically around this time, your baby will experience one of their first growing spurts that can consist of extra hunger, more or less sleep, sometimes fussiness or just being unsettled. A growth spurt can last from 1-3 days but typically begins to subside around that 3rd day. During your babies growing spurts/leaps, its important to remember “back to the basics” such as swaddling, if appropriate, staying on your babies schedule of feeding routines and sleep schedule, and having appropriate and stimulating wake windows- as these are all things that will help transition your baby back to their regular routine. And remember- ‘this too will pass’. Growth leaps can be hard on parents because of the extra neediness from baby. Its important to remember that as quick as the Leap came in, it will also leave. Leaps typically happen every 2 weeks until about month 4- so you will have a lot of time to practice what works best for your baby.
For the newly-postpartum mom, around the 10th day or so, you will notice that your breast milk has changed from a yellow hue to a more white, milk-like color and consistency. With this change, you may also notice a full-ness in your breasts like you’ve not experienced before. Lots of changes there- and this is a process that tends to feel at its toughest around days 8-14, and then slowly get better. During this time your breasts are adjusting to the new role of making milk, being suckled and manipulated, and you are feeling that adjustment. My biggest advice: have a trusted IBCLC on standby for all your questions or concerns. An IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who is trained, licensed and experienced in lactation, feeding, and all the normal concerns. They can assess tongue and lip ties, your babies latch, positioning techniques and have referrals for other professionals if needed. We at Maryland Birth Services keep a list of amazing IBCLC’s in our area to have our clients reach out to.
Also around 2 weeks postpartum, you may be feeling stronger physically. You may notice that your lochia or vaginal bleeding has slowed down considerably and only need a small pad or liner. You may notice that you don’t require as much ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain control. Regardless of where you are, it’s important to remember to take things slow and treat your body kindly. Shower daily, get fresh air, eat nutritious foods and stay well-hydrated. We like to encourage our clients to continue to reach out to their loved ones for help at home. Tasks such as doing the dishes, laundry, meal service, meal prep, and snack prep for you as you are nursing and needing extra nutrition. They can also help with older siblings with things like reading, crafting, outside-sports, etc. While many people offer to help “hold the new baby”, often times the other usual house-hold duties are more important to have help with.
Its not uncommon, around the 2 week mark that emotions run high, and other feelings can creep in such as “baby blues” or even signs of postpartum depression or anxiety. Your provider (midwife or OB) is a resource that you should be able to reach out to if you are experiencing symptoms such as extreme fatigue, feeling overwhelmed at the new changes, big feelings that lead to sleeplessness, or sleeping often, not able to eat, having anxious thoughts or other concerns that you might be having or feeling. While it can feel daunting to make that phone call or email to your provider, you are NOT alone. Getting the emotional or mental support you need will help you grow stronger and feel better.
Recovery from the birth process and adjusting to your new environment can take time. Every person is different, and how you are feeling and how you are doing matters. You matter….. so take good care of yourself in this time.
We like to remind our wonderful families, that the first 4 months are often dubbed “The Fourth Trimester”. It is called this because of the way your baby will be transitioning and growing accustomed to their new surroundings. It can be the same for you: your body is changing from being pregnant to no longer being pregnant. If you are breastfeeding or pumping, your body is learning this new task as well. Your hormones are transitioning and your body is changing and adapting to a new normal. There will be a leveling-out or a “new normal” but until that time comes, be gentle to your own needs, take this time to breathe and treat yourself well, and find trusted people to encourage you and support you emotionally and physically.
Please reach out to us if in the Maryland area and looking for support- we’d be glad to talk with you. Be well!
