Planning for your Postpartum Adjustment
Photo by Natalie Broders
Andaluz has a new class offering starting in July! Newborn Care Essentials is a three hour class focused on what life will be like after you bring your baby home. It will help you learn how to interpret common newborn behaviors, understand infant sleep and wake cycles, give you tips and tricks for soothing your baby, and help you discuss ways of building effective support systems during this sensitive time of adjustment for your family.
The class is facilitated by certified postpartum doula Krystle Gard, who has over 12 years of experience in the birth world. Krystle has written a guest post for our blog outlining important questions to discuss with your partner and wider support system to help you manifest a smooth postpartum period.
Thriving During the 4th Trimester
by Krystal Gard
We put months of thought into our birthing plans but we tend to not look into the details for when we bring the new baby home. Planning ahead can decrease some of the stress and help you thrive during the postpartum period.
Here are some topics to discuss with your support person. Talking these over will really help create a positive postpartum experience.
Photo by Natalie Broders
What do you want your postpartum period to feel like, look like, smell like? I know it sounds weird but taking the time to think about what that can look like really helps to create a lovely environment for bonding
Who is helping you to create that feeling? Sometimes close family members may not be the one to create that space you are envisioning. Or you may not have any family support, so what does that look like?
If you are planning to nurse or pump, have you seen a lactation consultant prenatally to establish care and make a plan?
Who will take care of the day to day tasks- like laundry, dishes, taking the dog for a walk. Discussing this in advance will make sure there are not unfulfilled expectations between partners.
What does feeding and nourishing yourself and family look like? Is that a meal train, collecting take out menus, prepping freezer meals, having someone else prep them for you?
What does relaxation means to me - how important is it to my well-being? How often do I need to relax? What happens when I don't get enough relaxation? How do I like to relax now? How might relaxing look different after baby?
What are my concerns/worries/fears about the postpartum period?
Talking openly with your partner about your hopes, worries, and expectations during your family’s postpartum adjustment is a great first step to making sure everyone’s needs are met and emotions are respected.
For more open-ended discussions about the realities of life with a newborn, sign up for our Newborn Care Essentials class!
