Tips to help you recover after a childbirth
Childbirth is a very important stage of your life. When you are still trying to enjoy your time with the little one, you may find it difficult to set things in place as before. Your body is tired and needs attention. Understand the needs of your body and take proper care post-delivery. A nutritious confinement food combined with adequate rest can go a long way in helping you recover.
- Eat well:
To maintain your health you should eat well. Eating well implies eating balanced food with all the nutrients. Your confinement tradition will tell you what food to eat and what not to. However, it is good to consult your doctor about the food you can have during this period. You should take care of yourself and the baby. Include whole grains, brown rice, 2 servings each of fruits and vegetables, 2-3 servings of meat and dairy. Your confinement food should contain fiber so that you don’t suffer from constipation. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lentils, nuts, and beans are also very important in your diet. All these help you recuperate faster and also supply essential nutrition to the baby through your feed.
- Stay hydrated:
Drinking a lot of fluids is considered essential during this time. Water is very important in this. Herbal tea, red dates tea, and lots of soups help to stay hydrated. Avoid spicy stuff and dairy if you are lactose intolerant. Staying hydrated helps you have a sufficient supply of milk. You would feel exhausted after childbirth and may feel thirsty. Respond to your needs and have enough fluids.
- Take rest:
Taking rest for about 3 months is the most important part of confinement. Though the traditional confinement period is for 30-40 days in Asian customs, it is necessary to take adequate rest for at least a few months. Recruit a confinement nanny who can help in handling your baby. Once she is there to support you, taking a rest would be easier. Insomnia affects new moms because of disturbed sleep cycles. You can only sleep when the baby is sleeping. If you are not having sufficient rest you would feel overwhelmed after a few days and as days pass by, you may slip into depression. Postpartum depression is very bad and needs to be corrected soon.
- Get a massage done:
It is good to get a massage done by an experienced therapist. Postnatal massages are very common and help the new mom in many ways. But if you have gone through a C-section it is better to wait till your wound heals before starting the massage session. It helps calm yourself and relieves tension. It can remove pain and soreness from your body. Make sure you get the help of experts only.