As a newborn photographer, many of my clients are newly postpartum mothers bringing in their fresh little babies to be photographed. And let me just say, there is nothing quite like being a postpartum mom. You are processing and recovering from one of the most incredible and intense moments of your life. You are holding and getting to know your very own son or daughter – your new baby that you have waited for for so long. You have probably never been so sleep deprived. Your body hurts. You and your baby have a lot to figure out together. Life is anything but normal. Postpartum is a special time all on its own, and it is called the 4th trimester for a reason! My role is usually to be behind the camera and capture the perfection of your new little bundle, but I hope to use this post to provide some postpartum tips that will hopefully make your transition a little smoother.
Process Your Birth
Whether your baby’s birth was smooth, traumatic, or somewhere in between, don’t be surprised to find yourself processing a lot. You may want to ask your partner to sit down with you sometime and talk through everything you both remember about the birth to help you process. Writing out your birth story or recording a voice memo with the details is also a great way to not only process the events leading up to and following your baby’s birth but also to have the details recorded so you don’t forget as time goes on.
Manage Your Mindset
Even if you start to physically feel more like an able-bodied person, you are still going through extreme hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, healing, and adjusting to a whole new life. Major life transitions like this need to be allowed time for adjustment. Now is not the time to start overthinking the whole trajectory of your life, marriage, etc. This is survival mode. Give extra grace to your husband or partner who is also going through a major life transition, and the way they adjust may look different than you expect or think it should. The more you can both be on each other’s team rather than pitted against each other if expectations aren’t met, the smoother and more peaceful things will be for everybody, including your baby!
If you’re feeling persistently sad, struggling to bond with your baby, experiencing changes in appetite or sleep, losing interest in activities, or having thoughts of harm, it’s time to reach out to a healthcare provider for support with postpartum depression. You’re not alone, and seeking help is a courageous step toward healing and well-being for both you and your baby.
Take Care of Yourself
Giving birth is no small deal, and it is important to take care of yourself as well as your sweet baby. Here are a few big ways to prioritize your own care and healing:
- Pain Medication
If you had a C-section or any tearing from birth, you will want to make sure to stay on top of your pain medication for the first few days as you are healing.
- Stay Fueled
If you are breastfeeding, you will most likely be ravenous and so very thirsty in those early days, so it’s a good idea to keep snacks and plenty of water always handy!
- Accept Help
If people are offering to help, let them! This could look like providing meals, helping with laundry, or taking a bottle feeding shift. The key is to not feel like you have to do everything yourself if someone is offering to help. Take them up on it, and give them the opportunity to support you!
Prepare with Postpartum Supplies
If you’re giving birth in a hospital, you will probably come home with a bunch of supplies, but here are my top recommendations for items to get on your own:
Disposable Underwear
That’s right, your baby is not the only one you’re going to want to buy diapers for! Just kidding, this is definitely subjective. But many women find it more comfortable to use disposable underwear like these for a few days while the bleeding is heaviest and you’re in bed a lot. It’s a big relief to be able to just throw them away.
Menstrual Pads
It’s a good idea to buy enough pads to last several weeks. The hospital may give you some, but they are usually huge. You may want to buy different sizes for maximum comfort at the different stages of recovery. Just remember, no tampons until your doctor or midwife clears you!
Nursing Pads
Your milk will come in at around 3-5 days postpartum, so make sure you have nursing pads handy because you will leak a lot. Some women leak milk only while their milk is regulating, and others leak the whole duration of their breastfeeding journey. Even if you plan to bottle feed, you may still need nursing pads until your milk dries up. Some women prefer disposable pads and others prefer reusable ones. You may want to purchase both and decide which is more comfortable for you.
Nursing Bras
Unless you plan to formula feed, make sure you have nursing bras for breastfeeding and/or pumping! There are clip-down bras and pull-aside bras, soft cups, underwires, and sports bras – nursing style. I recommend buying a couple different styles to see which you prefer.
As you prepare for or experience postpartum, don’t forget to enjoy the sweet moments and to take things one day at a time! Things will get easier, you will feel yourself again soon, and you will get in a groove with your baby and with the new dynamics of your family.
Capture the Best Parts of Postpartum with Professional Photos of Your Newborn
In the whirlwind of postpartum adjustments, it’s easy to overlook the fleeting moments of newborn sweetness. As you navigate the joys and challenges of this fourth trimester, remember to capture the precious memories of these early days. If you are in the New Market, Maryland, area, I would be privileged to help you do so through a newborn photography session. Whether you come to my studio, or prefer for me to come to the comfort of your home, I aim to give you the peace of mind that comes with working with someone who is comfortable with postpartum/newborn life. As a family photographer who understands the delicate nature of postpartum life, my goal is to create a relaxed and enjoyable experience for both you and your baby while capturing photos you can treasure always. Contact me here to chat about any questions you might have, and if you’d like to move forward with booking a session, we’ll get you on the schedule!
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