Postpartum

How Skin-to-Skin Contact Benefits Newborn Babies

When you’re creating your birth plan, you should consider adding a clause that states you want skin-to-skin contact with your newborn baby. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth are numerous, and more hospitals are accommodating this wish.

Skin-to-skin contact (which is also called “kangaroo care” or “kangaroo mother care”) doesn’t just benefit premature babies. It’s beneficial for full-term infants too. A multitude of research studies have looked the benefits of placing a newborn on his or her mother’s skin immediately after birth. [Read more…] about How Skin-to-Skin Contact Benefits Newborn Babies

Six Ways to Make The Most Out of Your Maternity Leave

by Guest Writer 4 Comments

Special Thanks to Guest Blogger, Liz Sacks of DIYparenting.

Maternity leave is one of the most precious periods of our lives. It’s the beginning of another life, a foundation for our future parenting, and as such, we want to make the most of every moment. Here are just a few ways that you can get the most out of your leave before the inevitable return to work:

1.Think ahead. If you want a maternity leave that extends past 6 weeks, you may need to cover your expenses, as most employers pay for only a limited amount of time of maternity leave, if they offer pay at all. At the beginning of your pregnancy, begin cutting your budget down as much as possible, and saving money immediately. Law requires that your job must be held for a minimum of 12 weeks while you are on maternity leave. There are provisions for this law that you may need to know before starting maternity leave. Each employer is different, and may have more or less friendly policies regarding maternity leave. Know your rights. (Read about your maternity rights: Understanding Basic Maternity Leave Laws) [Read more…] about Six Ways to Make The Most Out of Your Maternity Leave

Five Health Symptoms Moms Should Pay Attention to – Postpartum Health

by DP Nguyen 5 Comments

As a new mom, you don’t have the time to get sick. Babies need to be fed, burped, and put to bed; diapers need to be changed; and clothes need to be washed. Aches and pains are overlooked and ignored – after all, there is some discomfort in the postpartum period following childbirth.

You might even ignore symptoms that would normally send you to the pediatrician’s office if your children complained of them. Stomach pains? Oh, it’s just menstrual cramps or bad gas. Feeling under the weather? Must be PMS. Heart palpitations? It’s just stress.

Be careful about the postpartum health symptoms that you ignore. Sometimes, your body is crying for help. Pay attention to the symptoms you experience, and don’t automatically ignore them.

After you give birth, you will undergo physical and emotional changes, which are absolutely normal, but they can also trigger and hide certain health problems. You may want to talk to a doctor if you experience any of the following postpartum health symptoms. [Read more…] about Five Health Symptoms Moms Should Pay Attention to – Postpartum Health

Postpartum Anxiety – A Mother’s Journey

by Guest Writer 2 Comments

Guest Post by: Christa Connerat of One Cheap Mama

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was surrounded by information regarding postpartum depression or PPD. There were posters at my OB/GYN’s office and articles in magazines alerting me to the signs and symptoms of PPD. After I had my son, I watched myself carefully for any of the typical symptoms. But because I didnʼt notice any, I considered myself to be one of the lucky ones who would not experience postpartum depression.

What no one ever told me, though, was to be on the lookout for Postpartum Anxiety – one of the lesser known postpartum mood disorders.

Had I known that what I was going through in the ﬁrst few weeks home from the hospital was not the typical nerves and stress associated with new motherhood, I would have saved myself so much frustration and tears.

I would have understood that what I was going through wasnʼt normal. I would have sought the help that I so desperately needed. Four years later, I am able to see my experience for what it was, Postpartum Anxiety, and I hope to shed more light on this condition so that other women donʼt have to suffer unaware as I did. [Read more…] about Postpartum Anxiety – A Mother’s Journey

Eight Things Every New Mom Should Know about the Postpartum Period

by Guest Writer 8 Comments

Guest Post By: Jenny Schick of DIYparenting.

1. Know who you want to help you for the first week or two that you are home with baby.

It’s unrealistic to assume you can do it all on your own or that you have to! And if you don’t plan ahead, you could have every neighbor, cousin and coworker stopping by to gawk at your new little one. While it’s nice that people care, set limits because you and baby need rest and one-on-one time.

Be honest by letting others know how they can be most helpful (visiting at a certain time so you can nap or bringing a meal for your family). People genuinely do want to help you so relish in it!

2. Know that a new baby uses a lot of diapers, and not always “newborn” size.

You can never have too many diapers on hand! Most babies outgrow the newborn size very quickly so make sure you have size one available too. If getting out of the house proves difficult, don’t forget miraculous two-day shipping via the Internet! [Read more…] about Eight Things Every New Mom Should Know about the Postpartum Period