The miracle of childbirth! A unique experience and journey to motherhood, with physical, functional, and emotional changes before, during, and after pregnancy.
Planning your pregnancy-related needs is important, especially, having a trusted doctor, family support, and choosing the right nutrition. Familiarizing yourself with what to expect from the different modes of giving birth will help manage your expectations.
Your trusted doctor will help guide and prepare you for your special experience. Reading tips on the mode of delivery natural or cesarean can help you prepare while taking care of your little one in your tummy. After childbirth, you need to have regular consultations with your pediatrician to seek medical advice about proper childcare and nutrition.
6 Tips in Caring for Your Child Post-Delivery
You’ve just given birth to your little bundle of joy. At this point, your newborn child will be totally dependent on you. If the mode of delivery is by C-section your body will also need to recover from the C-section procedure. These tips can help you take care of yourself and your child both at the same time.
- Rest and recover first
Cesarean delivery is a major surgery that calls for adequate rest to help your body heal. Aside from staying in the hospital for two to three more days after your delivery, your body will need up to six weeks to fully recover. It is recommended to defer major household tasks, like cooking or doing the laundry, and other strenuous activities during your rest period.
Follow these dos and don’ts to make your recovery period as smooth as possible.
• For the first few weeks after surgery, avoid lifting anything heavier or bigger than your newborn. Lifting heavy objects poses the risk of splitting your stitches, which go all the way into your muscle layer.
• When carrying your newly born child, scoop him/her up from a standing position. This is to avoid straining your abdominal muscles, which could happen if you lift your newborn coming from a lying or seated position.
• Balance rest with gentle stretching exercises, which help regain your physical strength and boost flexibility around your stitches. - Keep necessities for you and your child close by
Getting out of bed and walking around within 24 hours following your C-section is advisable, but once you get home, you should limit your movements and keep everything that you and your little one need within reach.
Have a basket or bassinet on the bedside table where you can put children’s items like diapers, wipes, clothes, and milk and water bottles. Keep your pain medication, vitamin supplements, and heating pad in a separate basket next to the bed, as well. - Spend quality time with your little one
Most likely, you won’t be returning to work for a month or so after giving birth. Use the time to help yourself adjust to motherhood and bond with your child. Here are a couple of ways to develop the parent-child bond, according to experts:
Cuddling. Giving your child plenty of cuddles isn’t only about showing your love and affection; it also helps make them feel safe after all those months of being confined in your womb. Because the human touch is so powerful, cuddling helps your child transition to a different environment where they can feel comfortable.
Kangaroo care. This is a method of holding a child in an upright position against your bare chest, allowing skin-to-skin contact between the two of you. Kangaroo care benefits both you and your child—it helps improve your breast milk supply while also regulating your kid’s heart and breathing rates. - Reach out to a lactation consultant about breastfeeding concerns
Breastfeeding is best for your baby! After having a C-section, you can immediately start nursing your newborn since your body is designed to produce milk right after delivery. After a couple of days, your breasts will be filled with milk, and the swelling may give you some pain and discomfort. Breastfeeding can relieve the swelling and discomfort.
Since pain or other medication may affect your milk, always consult with your doctor. If you have concerns about breastfeeding, consult with a lactation consultant. Your consultant will advise you about your breastfeeding concerns and make healthy recommendations for your child. - Eat a balanced diet
Your body needs proper nutrition to promote healing and recovery after surgery. Go for meals that consist of whole grains, protein, fruits, and vegetables, and drink lots of fluid to promote breast milk production. You could also take a fiber supplement if you’re having constipation. - Aim for a healthy gut
A healthy gut microbiome is a foundation for the long-term health of your child. The trillions of good bacteria or probiotics in your child’s microbiome is fundamental to developing a healthy and strong immune system, metabolic health, and intelligence function.
C-Section Recovery: Caring for Your Child and Yourself
Having a C-section requires extra special care to help your body heal. The sooner you can recover from the surgery, the better you’ll feel and be able to look after your child.
When your child turns 3, continuous nourishment with probiotic support with milk formula supplement specially made for those born via C-section. Your child can benefit from the healthy, organic ingredients with combiotic support found in milk supplements from 3 years and up.
In the Philippines, you can find certified organic milk formula from HiPP Organic. HiPP Organic is Europe’s No. 1 Organic Milk Formula Brand. Try HiPP Organic for the special nourishment of your child!
