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How to Plan Sleep in Postpartum
Adding a bundle to the brood brings unsurmountable joy and complete and utter overwhelm. Those first few weeks are emotionally charged and once the bliss wears off (give it a few days) the reality really starts to hit home. Everyone is in a state of limbo as they attempt to adjust and meltdowns are the norm.
Your older children will be more demanding of your attention (understandably!) and you may find it challenging to navigate these demands. Perhaps it’s the almighty power of motherly instinct, to place all your energy into nurturing and protecting the newborn. Or perhaps it’s just a simple case of physical discomfort, hormones and exhaustion; dealing with tantrums and answering too many questions can really test your patience and your brain-power in the post-birth haze.
But there are a few things you can do to prepare your child (and yourself) for a new baby; simple steps you can take to make the transition as smooth as possible:
Get your kids involved: encouraging your kids to touch your belly, talk to the baby and ask questions about pregnancy and birth is a positive step forward as it allows them to explore the concept of a new baby in a way that feels comfortable and right for them.
Read picture books: picture books are such a simple yet profound way to prepare your little one for the changes ahead. Your local librarian will no doubt have some brilliant suggestions but you can’t go wrong with these titles and they’ll no doubt prepare you for what’s to come, too:
Hello Baby by Jenni Overend: this is a beautiful, heartfelt story of home birth on a windy, wintry night. The pictures are honest and authentic and yes, there are vivid depictions of the baby being born and the midwife checking the placenta – refreshing and important.
There’s a House Inside My Mummy by Giles Andreae: a tender story about a little boy who is excitedly awaiting the arrival of his baby brother or sister. Sweet illustrations and rhyming text make this the perfect book for a toddler.
There’s Going to be a Baby by John Burningham: a conversation between a mum and her little boy takes place over four seasons – time goes by, mum’s belly grows bigger and the little boy’s questions evolve. I love this story for its quirky imaginings and illustrations.
Consider the first few weeks and prioritise your older children: all the attention will be on the new baby so encouraging visitors to greet your older child first is a powerful way to recognise their new role as big sister/brother. You may even encourage your kids to introduce their new sibling when out and about so you give them responsibility and one they can wear with pride. If you’ve got a toddler or pre-schooler at home it’s a good idea to prepare a basket of new books, toys and activities that will keep them occupied when you’re feeding and settling the baby. And while it may be a little idealistic, having lots of food and snacks on hand is a good way to make sure you’re not forever in the kitchen; pack a lunchbox in the morning, keep a container of vegie sticks in the fridge and have a water bottle at arms reach. And if your friends and family ask how they can help, encourage them to watch the baby when they’re asleep while you have some special time with your older child. It will be one of the best gifts you’ll receive.
Anticipate tantrums: welcoming a new baby into the family is one of the most emotionally-charged experiences a child will ever have and we all know that big emotions usually play out as tantrums and meltdowns. Anticipating them and knowing that they’ll pass is the best way to deal with them and prevent yourself from getting worked up, too.
Minimise visitors: lots of visitors can really wreak havoc on a family with a new baby; they generally just add to the chaos! Prioritise your family’s well-being and embrace a gentle routine that allows your older children to feel comfortable and safe in amongst the big changes (and newborn cries!).
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If you’re recovering from a caesarean birth (c-section) it’s helpful to remember that your body needs to heal after major abdominal surgery. Caesarean births are common (roughly one in three in Australia) but significant surgery requires adequate recovery time. Here's what you can expect in your caesarean recovery.
There is so much talk about baby sleep - ‘is he a good sleeper?’ ‘How many naps does he have during the day?’ ‘Is she sleeping through the night?’ but we’re missing the conversations about maternal sleep.
If you had a caesarean birth and you’ve noticed an overhang or a bulge over your scar, we want you to know that it’s completely normal and a natural part of birth recovery. It’s not dependent on whether you had a planned or emergency caesarean nor is it a result of a bad incision or hindered healing process; it’s simply a common side-effect of wound healing.
If you’re in the third trimester you’re no doubt thinking about all that’s to come; labour, birth, and a precious newborn baby. There is so much to look forward to and prepare for. But often, we spend so much time thinking of what our baby needs that we rarely think about ourselves. So, we’re here to gently encourage you (read: implore you!) to start thinking about your post-birth recovery. It’s generally quite a slow process and for many women, especially first-time mothers, it can be quite confronting. We don’t want to scare you but research shows that realistic expectations pave the way for a positive postpartum experience
Typically occurring between day 3-5 after birth, breast engorgement is a common symptom in early postpartum when your milk comes. It can also occur later in your breastfeeding journey if your baby sleeps for longer and misses a feed, or drops a feed during the day or night. It can cause your breasts to be full and hard and this can cause pain and make it tricky for your baby to latch. Essentially, your breasts can feel like they’re about to explode which is quite disconcerting.
You may have heard some nightmarish stories about mastitis and frankly, it’s not something you want to contend with at any stage of your breastfeeding journey. It’s most common in the first three months postpartum but it can strike at any time, particularly if your baby has reduced their feeds, is starting to sleep for longer periods at night or you’re weaning.
In early postpartum, breastfeeding and sleep challenges are common and can contribute to anxiety and overwhelm. Unless you have a private midwife, there’s a distinct void of health services in postpartum which makes it challenging to access professional support. It’s definitely beneficial to be aware of this in pregnancy so you can adequately prepare for postpartum.
Firstly, if you’ve recently birthed your baby and your bleeding has increased, don’t delay in seeking medical attention. It’s recommended to present to the emergency department at your local hospital and explain that you’ve recently given birth and you’re concerned about your blood loss. You may be experiencing a postpartum haemorrhage.