The postpartum period A.K.A the"fourth trimester", is the time following the birth of your baby when your body begins to recover and adjust after pregnancy and childbirth. It typically lasts about six weeks, but the duration can vary for each person.
But the postpartum period isn’t just about physical recovery. It’s also a time of emotional adjustment as you navigate the joys and challenges of caring for your newborn while dealing with sleep deprivation.
The postpartum period is a tough because your body has just gone through massive changes but you don't have the time to sit around feeling sorry for yourself, you are expected to snap back and entertain an array of visitors.
Having people round can be exhasting but when you're running on little to no sleep its beyond draining- i find myself day dreaming into their faces feeling a little robotic as I plaster a smile across my face.
It’s crucial to give yourself grace, prioritise self-care, and seek support when needed to navigate this period successfully.
I know it can feel as if you have no time for self care but it is more important now than ever to make time for yourself. Once you get baby to bed try to resist the urge to be a sofa potato and scroll social media and make the time to go for a shower, do your skin care, get some clean comfies on.
I'm going to drop my top recomendations for new mums to help them through this rough period.
Spritz for Bits Perineal Spray
This product provides instant relief for perineal soreness, bruising and swelling after childbirth. It contains natural ingredients (witch hazel, aloe vera, and lavender which can reduce inflammation, soothe discomfort, and promote healing). I can vouch that it does give some instant relief when you're feeling sore!
Peri Bottle
Look I swear this will be your new best friend and you couldn't imagine peeing post birth without it once you give it a try. There's loads of different brands for this, if you just type peri bottle in to google and you can see if theres any on sale- the cheaper the better really as it's not something you will use for long.
FridaMom Boyshort Disposable Postpartum Underwear
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Disposable underwear? Really? But trust me on this one. After giving birth, you’ll want something that’s comfortable, practical, and most importantly- ready to be tossed in the bin without a second thought. These are like a soft, stretchy hug for your sore, post-baby body.
FridaMom Instant Ice Maxi Pads
Let’s talk about a little something I like to call postpartum paradise. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but when you’re fresh out of labor, and everything down there feels like it’s been through a war zone, the FridaMom Instant Ice Maxi Pads come pretty darn close.
Here’s how they work: you give them a little snap, and voilà, instant icy bliss. These pads combine the soothing powers of an ice pack with the practicality of a maxi pad, making them an absolute must-have for those first few days (or weeks) after birth.
There are other brands out there but this is just the one i used.
Maternity Pads
Trust me here- a regular menstrual pad is simply not going to do the job. You are going to bleed... a lot.
Maternity towels are extra long and thick to cushion and protect. They are specially designed for use post birth. Again like the other items on this list there are loads of different brands- I just used a boots own brand. I would definetley recommend using the ice maxi pads for atleast the first couple days- they really do provide great relief.
It is recommended to avoid using tampons or menstrual cups during this time as they can increase the chances of infections or other complications.
Nursing Pillow
Nursing pillows are perfect whether you're breast or bottle feeding - they make things way more comfortable.
Babies are tiny yes but dont comfuse tiny for lightweight because trust me they get super heavy when you're feeding. When you're feeling exhasted and running on no sleep you want to make yourself as comfortable as possible and this will help you through the sleepless nights.
It is not recommended to let babies sleep on nursing pillows, so don't leave them unattended with one- it is dangerous because their face can become buried in the soft cushioning, preventing them from taking in enough oxygen.
And of course comfortable clothing is a MUST.
Make sure you have some comfortable clothing, most of your maternity clothes is going to feel super baggy, you might get away with some of the tops etc but the trousers are just going to fall down at your waist. But you aren't going to want to wear your pre-pregnancy clothes- that's a sure way to make yourself feel crappy.
It's time to embrace the Adam Sandler look ladies
I'm going to have a blog post dedectated to my breast feeding journey where I will include all my recomendations to help you and your nipples survive the journey!! So stay tuned for that.
another great blog