What To Expect Once You Are Home With Baby

New mothers need to take special care of their bodies after giving birth and while breastfeeding when getting home from the hospital.

Rest and recuperation is all that should be on your agenda the first few days at home after having a baby. During this time focus on yourself and on getting to know your new baby. Try to put off requests for lots of visits from family and friends until you get the rest you need. Don’t worry about keeping the house perfect. It is okay to just eat, sleep and care for your baby. Lie down or nap while the baby naps. Allow others to help you around the house and do not hesitate to ask for help with cleaning, laundry, meals and even caring for the baby.

Physical changes after the birth of your baby might include:

• Spotting or bleeding similar to a menstrual period off and on for up to six weeksn • Swelling in your legs and feet (reduce swelling by elevating your feet)
• Constipation (try to drink plenty of water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables)
• Cramping that feels much like menstrual cramps and especially if you are breastfeedingn • Breast milk should come in within three to six days after deliveryn • If you are not breastfeeding you can still have milk leaking from your nipples, breasts might feel full, tender and uncomfortablen • Ask for doctor instructions about activities such as climbing stairs and walking for the first few weeks after deliveryn • Doctors usually advise abstaining from sexual intercourse for four to six weeks after giving birthn • Discuss birth control with your doctor since you can become pregnant againn • Breastfeeding does not protect you from getting pregnant

Returning to a healthy weight and shape involves:

• Consulting your doctor before you start any type of diet or exercise plann • If you are breastfeeding it is best to wait until your baby is at least two months old before starting a dietn • When you do start to lose weight, lose it slowly. Fast weight loss can be harmful to the baby because of environmental toxins that are stored in your body fat that can be released into your breast milk.
• Lose about one pound per week, and no more than four pounds per month (this amount has been found to be a safe amount and will not affect your milk supply or the baby’s growthn • You can lose weight safely by consuming at least 1800 calories per day with a well-balanced, nutritious dietn • Your diet should include foods rich in calcium, zinc, magnesium, vitami
B6 and folaten • Consuming less than 1500 calories per day is not recommended at any point during breastfeeding as this can lower your energy level and lower your resistance to illness

Feeling blue following childbirth is normal. Fifty to 75 percent of new mothers report feelings of sadness or depression after giving birth. Reasons could include:

• Hormone changesn • Anxiety about caring for the babyn • Lack of sleep

What should you do if you feel sad and down after delivering a baby?

• Be patientn • The feelings are normal and should get better over timen • Be aware of your feelings and talk with family, friends and your docto
• If you experience extreme sadness or depression to the point that you are unable to care for yourself or your baby, call your doctor immediately. You might have postpartum depression.

Signs and symptoms of postpartum depression are:

• Feelings of restlessness or irritabilityn • Feeling sad, depressed or crying a lotn • No energyn • Headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations, numbness or hyperventilationn • Disturbances in sleep patternsn • Loss of appetiten • Weight lossn • Overeating and weight gainn • Trouble focusingn • Trouble remembering thingsn • Trouble with making decisionsn • Worrying excessively about the babyn • No interest in the babyn • Feelings of worthlessness or guiltn • Fear of hurting the baby or yourselfn • No interest or pleasure in activities you once found interesting or pleasurable

Can postpartum depression be treated and cured?

• Postpartum depression is common and can be successfully treated with medicine and/or therapy.

Source: National Institutes of Health Online

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.nn© 2007 Connie Limon All rights reservedn