5 Postpartum Health Tips for New Moms

You have finally become a mommy after waiting impatiently for nine months! Now you know that it is the best thing that can ever happen to anyone, and no experience, feeling or sensation could ever compare to that joy and happiness of giving birth to a beautiful, healthy baby. And for the sake of your little one, you need to be healthy as well! That is why here are 5 postnatal care tips that you should know about and, well, live by.

1.

Rely on superfoods for a rich and well-balanced diet

Being a new mom means that your body is in the phase of adapting to the role of a nurturer, and taking good care of yourself is now more important than ever. Perhaps you are too exhausted to think about what to eat, but in order to be a healthy mom, there is a certain nutritional plan after giving birth that is advisable to begin.

First and foremost, you need wholesome, nutrient-dense snacks that will provide you with plenty of energy. In order to stay resilient, foods abundant in a wide spectrum of amino acids, iron, zinc, magnesium and B vitamins are essential. You also need to focus on hydration and no matter how much you want to go on a diet and lose weight, don’t think about it right away, because it’s very important for you to eat well so that you can breastfeed without a problem.

2.

Connect with other parents and always be informed

This is not just useful, but healthy for you as well, at least mentally. It’s always a good idea to connect with those who are going through the same as we are. Today there are awesome new mom apps that can help you keep in touch with other new moms or those who are already veterans and have older kids. You can exchange tips and advice with these women and this way, you’ll always be up-to-date regarding everything that’s important for you to know.

3.

Taking care of your pelvic floor is very important

It’s common that women experience certain nuisances after giving birth. One of them can be bladder leaks when coughing, laughing or straining. In this case, you should do exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. These exercises are great because they can reduce swelling, but they can also increase blood flow and even improve healing after birth.

If you want to do them regularly, consult your doctor. They often advise new moms to begin these exercises straight after delivery. Of course, you should start gently and do only what’s within your comfort range at first, then as you progress, you can try more demanding exercises. This should be something you do every day, and you can tighten the muscles before lifting your little one.

4.

Be active but get as much rest as possible as well

Naturally, after giving birth, you will feel like getting your fit and slender figure back. But be familiar with the fact that the trip back down is different for each mommy. What you can do is be active as much as you can. Of course, your baby will keep you active, but you can also do exercises that will make you feel good. Don’t do anything too strenuous right away, it should rather be something light and easy. You’ll also need to get enough rest in order to handle all your tasks and mommy duties.

5.

Tell your doctor if you are feeling anxious or depressed

This is probably not your first time to read tips concerning this topic, and it is a great thing that today, there are so many invaluable tips for new moms in magazines, on the Internet and of course, you can hear a lot of useful things from family members, friends, relatives and acquaintances too. So, you know that one thing is always recommended – consulting your doctor in case you are feeling anxious or depressed.  It’s not rare for women to feel postpartum depression, and it’s crucial that you talk to someone about it as soon as it happens. It should be an expert, of course.

You should know that there is a difference between baby blues, which equals moms being sad, anxious, and not sleeping well. These moms can get better within 2 weeks after their baby’s birth. However, postpartum depression is more severe. Some of the symptoms are the feeling of necessity to avoid family and friends, not feeling like you are able to take care of yourself or the baby, feeling like it’s too difficult to bond with your child or even fearing that you’re not a good mom. There are specific treatments that can help you feel like yourself again, but that’s why you need to see your doctor and talk to them about it.

No matter how difficult having a newborn is, many will claim that it’s the most rewarding experience ever. But for you to feel like it’s the best thing in the entire world, you need to be healthy, physically and mentally. Eat healthily, be active, do pelvic floor exercises, keep in touch with other moms and you will enjoy your mommy duties like nothing else. Lastly, in case you don’t enjoy them as much, consult with your doctor and let them help you find the right solution.

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Peter is parenting and lifestyle writer for Joyful Source magazine. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

Thanks to this fab dad for sharing these tips for moms, and we're so excited for him as he and his DH prepare to adopt the latest addition to their family!