5 Tips to Help You Have An Easier Postpartum Recovery

Congratulations! You’re now a new mom.

Welcome to a whole new world. The 40 or so weeks of pregnancy and several hours of labor and delivery are all behind you now. You’re onto the next phase of your life—motherhood.

Whether or not this is your first time as a mom, this new transition comes new challenges.

It’s OK to be nervous and to feel a bit worried about certain things. But everything is going to be all right. Post-pregnancy doesn’t have to be intimidating.

In this article, we’re going to give you five practical tips to help you have an easier postpartum recovery. Because that’s the way it should be.

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1. Prepare ahead of time.

Ideally, you should have all the basic preparations done before the baby arrives.

Start with your meals.

This one is a priority. You need to eat and fuel your body.

Once the baby arrives, preparing your meals can get really challenging. Unless you have another person to do it for you, it’s a difficult task to fit into a hectic schedule.

Your solution: prepare your meals ahead. Have a pre-made casserole ready in the fridge; when you’re hungry, you can simply heat it and roll out a ready dinner.

Develop this exercise into a routine. When the baby arrives, you’ve gotten accustomed to the task.

Clean up your home.

The baby and his or her stuff will need space inside your home. Your challenge is to clean up and declutter, getting rid of the unnecessary stuff.

Stock up on the essentials and other household items.

Diapers and baby wipes top the list of things to stock up on before baby arrives. You should also have hand sanitizers ready around the house; it’s a quick way to have everyone’s hands clean.

Menstrual bleeding is heavy after giving birth; the heaviest will be during the first ten days post-delivery. This can run for up to six weeks. So better stock up on larger-sized maxi pads for postpartum bleeding.

You should also get larger-sized underwear. Granny panties may not look sexy, but they serve the purpose of holding your post-surgery dressings and large pads.

Make sure you also have the breastfeeding essentials. Get reuseable breast pads and cream for a comfortable experience for you and your baby.

For your home, stock up on easy-to-prepare meals and disposable plates and utensils. They can be a life-saver when you don’t have the energy or time to do the kitchen work.

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2. Give yourself grace.

Motherhood can get overwhelming.

As a new mom, you definitely need a break. After all, you just went through nine months of pregnancy and hours of labor. You must be spent at some point.

Take a nap, meditate, exercise, or go out with friends. Give yourself a few minutes each day to quiet the noise in your brain.

Consider retail therapy as a feel-good mechanism.

Retail therapy in moderation is a great way to cope with a bad day.

When life gets crazy, chaotic, shop. Treat yourself and get that outfit you’ve always wanted. Might we suggest flattering postpartum clothes that will have you feeling sexy?

The mood boost that shopping gives will have you ready for the next challenges of motherhood.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Do you feel stressed out and irritable at times that you just want to snap at everyone?

That’s a sign you need to take a break. Slow down for a breather.

A mom’s life can get overwhelming. Especially if you’re running at less than five hours of sleep every night. This can take a toll on you.

Exhaustion can set in, which can lead to irritability and getting easily upset. So allow yourself the patience to understand and adjust to certain things that are going on in your life right now.

Call your support system and just talk about what’s bothering you. Even short conversations can give you the mental break you need to recharge your batteries.

But if you feel massively upset or you just bawl your eyes out over something so trivial, you may want to seek professional help. It could be a sign of postpartum depression.

3. Don’t hesitate to seek help from family and friends.

There’s no shame in seeking help especially from people who are willing to lend a hand. Whether it’s a home-cooked meal or watching your baby, take advantage of the help that comes your way.

With a few tasks off your plate, indulge in some “me” time for yourself. It’s an excellent way to find your center again.

4. Use technology.

Looking for the best apps for moms?

As a mom today there are loads of resources available at your fingertips!

There are apps that cater to busy moms, helping them organize and get things done. You’ll also find fitness apps that let you do quick workouts without going to the gym.

Mom life can get lonely.

Finding mom friends that you can bond with can be challenging.

But with social apps, you can meet other moms and form a tribe. The technology lets you bond and talk with them.

5. Relax and enjoy motherhood.

Expect postpartum discomfort. Your body has gone through tremendous changes during your pregnancy. It has been stressed and stretched. Now that you have given birth, it’s now your body’s chance to regroup.

So relax and enjoy this precious phase in your life with your baby.

Get adequate rest, proper nutrition, and ample care. Best of all, avoid stress or straining yourself. That’ll speed up and optimize your recovery.

McKinzie Bean is a mom to an adorable little boy with a baby girl on the way, married to her college sweetheart, a bona fide chocolate lover, and country music junkie! She blogs over at TodayMommy.com!