Loving Yourself: How to Take Care of Your Postpartum Body

The postpartum period is clinically referred to as the six weeks following childbirth. Although this special season of life is normally marked with great joy and new connections, it can also be a difficult period for new mothers trying to navigate this journey.

During this transition, it is critical that you take care of your body and your emotional health. Here are five things that you can do to give your postpartum body the love that it needs and deserves.

Table of Contents

Rest, Rest, Rest

The single most important thing that you can do during these six weeks to get back up on your feet and start feeling like yourself again is to rest. While it may sound cliche, it truly is important that you rest when the baby does.

Do not hesitate to reach out to others to help you with the baby so that you can get the sleep that you need.

Handing off at least one nighttime feeding to your partner will ensure that you get a good stretch of rest each night. It is amazing how much better you will feel if you indulge in at least one nap each day.

Ease Into Exercise

While it may be tempting to jump right back into your normal exercise routine, it is prudent to take it slowly as you get back out there.

Easing into an exercise routine will prevent injury while also giving your body the movement that it needs to help to speed up the recovery and weight loss process.

Most recommendations guide new mothers to hold off on strenuous exercise until they pass the six-week postpartum mark.

However, many women will feel up to moderate walking and other light exercises as early as a few days after delivery.

As always, your doctor will be able to provide you with the best guidance about what is appropriate for your individual fitness level and health needs.

Nourish Your Body

The road to postpartum recovery starts with good nutrition. You cannot expect your body to do what you want it to if you are not nourishing it with a myriad of healthy foods.

As with any healthy diet, you need to focus on eating adequate amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein sources, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

It is particularly important that you do not restrict your caloric intake if you are nursing.

Most new mothers burn up to 500 extra calories each day when nursing, necessitating that you continue to replenish these stores. It is also vital that you stay properly hydrated.

Carve Out Time for Self-care

Those first six weeks will undoubtedly go by in a blur. One of the best things that you can do for yourself during the postpartum period is to carve out self-care time each day.

Maybe this is something as simple as giving yourself a manicure to boost your self-esteem? Or perhaps you just need to get out of the house for an hour to meet a friend for coffee?

However self-care looks for you, it is important that you grab this time and enjoy it.

When You Need to Turn to the Professionals

There is certainly no shame in turning to the professionals when you need help dealing with some of the aftereffects of pregnancy and delivery.

If you notice that you are feeling unusually sad or anxious, it is imperative that you seek help from your medical care provider right away.

While a moderate amount of the baby blues is normal and not something to worry about, excessive depression can be a sign of a bigger issue that you need to address.

Childbirth can also do a number on your body that a regular diet and exercise cannot fix.

For example, if you are need of a diastasis recti repair as a result of difficult birthing experience, you may find that a clinical program may help to treat this condition.

The proper physical therapy protocol will help you to reduce the bulge so that you are not self-conscious.

Throughout the postpartum process, it is important to remember that this is a temporary season in life. By focusing on what truly matters, you will inherently start to feel better both mentally and physically.

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Emma

A mother and lover of all things practical. My blog covers about motherhood by exploring all areas of life. Our tips and tricks help the large community to do more in less time so they can spend time enjoying happy, healthy families.