Four Golden Rules For Stressing Less After Giving Birth

Follow these tried and true 4 golden rules to help you stress less after giving birth to your beautiful bundle of joy.

Having a baby is a big deal, but the work isn’t over after delivery. Next comes that tricky period when moms are recovering and babies are learning to exist in this new world. With these four golden rules from Femme Fitale Fit Club, you’ll stress less while surviving the ups and downs.

Having a new baby is an awesome event for yourself and entire family. It can also be a stressful time. Follow these 4 golden rules to help you stress less after giving birth. #postpartum #givingbirth #lifeafterpregnancy #fourthtrimester #fitmom #newmom

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Prep for Ample Time Off After Giving Birth

Pregnancy sometimes feels like it passes quickly, but the good news is that nine months is plenty of time to prepare for some aspects of postpartum. One preparation step is to decide how you’ll approach work after welcoming your baby, and how much time you can afford to take off.

Not having work obligations and deadlines looming over you will be a relief once your baby arrives. Organize for someone to handle your tasks while you’re out, and advise clients of your leave if it will impact their day-to-day experience. Hiring a virtual assistant can alleviate stress and ensure that work is covered while you’re away.

Stock Up on Supplies

One of the most challenging parts of life with a newborn is dealing with bodily fluids — both the baby’s and yours. Stocking up on essential supplies can preserve your comfort while checking one challenge off your postpartum list.

For nursing moms, a supportive bra and absorbent nursing pads are crucial. Add a pack of washable nursing pads to your shopping list to protect against milk leaks, absorb sweat, and promote comfort. You may also want a soothing, infant-safe nipple cream like lanolin to address cracks and dryness.

A breast pump may be another essential item for your toolkit, but learning to hand-express milk is a simple way to alleviate engorgement (or, conversely, stimulate supply) and help your baby latch.

Diapers and wipes are a basic necessity, so it’s great practice to pick up a pack of each on every shopping trip. Purchasing the next size up in advance can help avoid blowouts, too.

Start Moving ASAP After Delivery

Many physical changes take place during pregnancy and after giving birth, so this is a time when moms are ready to reclaim their bodies. Plus, movement is healthy; even patients after C-section deliveries are encouraged to get up and walk promptly post-op.

While exercising during your pregnancy is a great way to prepare, you will likely need some downtime after delivery before restarting a fitness routine. Many women who deliver vaginally can safely exercise a few days after delivery, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Once you have your care provider’s sign-off, restarting your favorite workout can increase your energy levels, ward off postpartum depression, and relieve stress. Muscle-strengthening activities, like strength training, and aerobic exercise are both beneficial for new mothers.

Learn What’s Normal (and Not)

Every baby (and mom) is different, so there are no strategic guarantees. But there are a few facts about infants that can help new parents feel a little less overwhelmed.

For example, it’s common for babies to wake up often to eat. Standford Medicine notes that newborns sleep a total of about eight hours at night, but those hours are rarely consecutive. Your baby may wake about every three hours, and this is normal — although it also creates sleep deprivation in parents.

Newborn babies may also cry often, and it doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Crying is a hunger cue, but it can also indicate a range of infant communication: discomfort, a wet diaper, too-hot or too-cold temperatures, or even discontent over being too still.

Mayo Clinic also elaborates that some infants may cry for up to two hours or longer in a day, and that can be normal, too.

The range of normal after giving birth can be a bit intimidating, but it’s also comforting for parents to know what to expect. With these go-to guidelines in mind, you’ll have a smoother experience postpartum and beyond.

What golden rules would you share to new moms?