Postpartum and the Holidays
Whether you are 1 week post-birth or 10 weeks post-birth, the postpartum time (the timeframe after a person gives birth to their baby) leaves many of us with a lot of feelings, challenges, highs and lows, and choices and changes. Add in the year that I have called #crazy2020, darkness falling earlier, and the holiday season now upon us, and it can leave many of us feeling mountains MORE on top of what we were already feeling. I am continuing to work with postpartum families, in their homes and virtually, during the pandemic.
I’ve compiled a small list of things to keep in mind to help families while recovering from birth.
Your body is still healing physically. It takes weeks to months for a body to heal after birth. “Slow and steady wins the race” is true here! It might be that physical tasks are ok such walking stairs or even light exercise, but you find yourself tiring easily. It’s still a good idea to have changing areas for baby on each floor of your home. Have an area for your personal supplies in each bathroom for ease of post-birth care.
“Sleep when the baby sleeps”. I’ll often get a funny look when I recommend this to families. It sounds simple, but is often very difficult to do and can be a source of frustration! Rest is paramount for healing, breast milk production, and healthy mental health. Some guidance I usually offer clients is to take shifts with your partner. The first sleep of the night can often be baby’s best time, so try to capitalize on sleep at that time and have your partner or a trusted resource be ready to assist baby if something is needed. You may even want to have your partner offer a bottle of pumped milk or formula during that time to give you a few bonus minutes of solid rest. If your circumstances make this difficult, consider hiring a postpartum doula to help you in this transition. Many doulas can work flexible schedules to help you achieve this.
Schedule virtual gatherings instead of in-person for the holidays. Often times it can be overwhelming for new parents to figure out how much to take to Aunt Sally’s house, feeling clumsy with breastfeeding, managing the babies sleep schedule, etc. Popping in for a virtual visit may provide the best of both worlds as you are adjusting to life with your new little one.
Say YES to offers of support! Take home leftovers from the holiday meal, allow a trusted person to come by and throw a load of laundry in, or your bestie to make your favorite pot of soup. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for support if your circumstances allow. This is a vulnerable time for many families, but there is often 1 or 2 family o friends just waiting to see how they can help you without overstepping boundaries.
Don’t forget the small things. Don’t forget the “small” things that really are big things: hydration (lots of water is helpful for healing and milk production), frequent healthy snacks, using the bathroom regularly, and fresh air/sunshine as you can.
Have healthy snacks prepared in advance for easy access. Speaking of snacks- my favorite “go to” is having fresh cut up fruits and veggies in the fridge ready to grab when you are feeding baby, pumping, etc. Cut up carrots, celery, peppers, and strawberries; buy the pre-packaged apple slices, cheese sticks, yogurts, or humus; and keep them on-hand as they are very easy to grab and full of vitamins and nutrients. Ask a loved one or your postpartum doula to help you prepare them so that these items can be ready for you.
Go easy on yourself. Postpartum can be challenging. Holidays can be challenging. A Pandemic IS challenging. Adding all of these things together can cause some extra concern for some.
I hope this list provides you with some encouragement. Please know you are not alone. We are here for you- please reach out for any questions or concerns.
Be well!