A bundle of happiness just enters into your lives, and it is a blissful experience to welcome new family members. After the long mystical journey of pregnancy, feeling your baby in your hands is the beautiful moment of life. With all the changes that your body has gone through mentally and physically, getting back to normal is a time-consuming process. Both your baby and you require immense attention post-delivery. 

Meanwhile, adjusting to everyday life after baby birth has its own challenges. Knowing a few details about the postnatal period care will help you better in coping up with the new changes. Here are a few things to expect from postnatal care for your newborn and you for a healthy and happy recovery and growth! 

1. Adjusting to motherhood

   With all the changes and emotions you witness, the major one to entitle is motherhood. Especially for the first time moms, handling those little bundles of happiness is the whole new magic. As your baby needs to be fed and changed often, you may experience sleepless nights and tiring long days. It can be frustrating and irksome. But do not worry, it will eventually fall into a routine.

2. Understanding the baby needs 

   Although the baby’s sleep for most of the time in initial days, they still communicate their needs. However, we never really know when they will go hungry or when they will wake up. It might be very alarming and laborious to understand the cycle. Set a routine and do not hesitate to seek support from your family to attend the baby needs. 

3. Immediate signs to recognise for newborn 

   There are certainly some signs which are hazardous to your baby’s health and requires immediate care. Notice your newborn every few minutes and hours. A small change might lead to a larger complication.
   
   Do not wait to consult a doctor if the baby exhibits any of the following signs, day or night:

   • Moderate or high fever or feels cold than usual. 
   • Difficulty in breathing 
   • Bleeding at any part of the body
   • Yellow palms and soles of feet’
   • Not feeding or diarrhoea. 

4. Coping with body changes

   Apart from the regular round-the-clock routine, it is important to understand and listen to your body needs as well. Mother’s body undergoes a lot of changes and requires enough coping time to adjust to the changes. From the stretch marks to skin glow, your body tends to exhibit a lot of changes.

5. Mothers’ mental health 
   Soon after giving birth, nearly 80 per cent of all the mothers experience a depressing emotional phase. Dropping of high levels of hormones can be one of the major reasons for the sudden change.  Alongside, sleep deprivation and life transition of becoming a parent can overwhelm in the early days. Usually, these symptoms subside within a few weeks. If not, seeking medical health is highly necessary. 

Tips to make postpartum recovery easy

1. Choose your hospital carefully who would regard your prenatal and postnatal care with all professional and immediate response. 
2. Know your body and stay hydrated. Do not overtire yourself without the factor of rest at all. 
3. Right nutrition plays a key role. Not just to your baby, take some healthy snack every time you feed your newborn. 

Remember to help yourself and reflect on what you are doing and how you are feeling. Take time for yourself to recharge your tired batteries; you require it the most. Record your thoughts and changes and share them with your family and friends. Any additional emotional and physical changes after birth will slowly improve. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor regarding any concerns!!

*Information shared here is for general purpose. Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.