Self-care while breastfeeding
After giving birth, your body becomes weak and you need to recover quickly, so beware of your food, your habits, and your mental health.
I want to share some tips I already have tried and I hope they will help you with your first steps.
Remember, your health is important as your baby’s health too, so do not forget/ be lazy to take care of yourself as much as possible, if you feel tired ask for help from your family.
Health care recommendations while breastfeeding
- Drink water to increase milk supply and make your urine clear
- Eat 3 healthy meals and 3 snacks, you can add 450-500 calories to calories in your diet ( includes plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and proteins )
- take your parental vitamins regularly to prevent fatigue and stress
- Before taking any medicine includes vitamins or herbal supplements, talk to your health care provider
- Do not use products that contain nicotine and don’t set beside anyone smoking it will be harmful too
- Avoid alcohol
- Talk to your doctor about birth control which is safe while breastfeeding if you want
- Take a nap when the baby sleeps
- Work out regularly as told by your doctor if you can’t, you can walk or meditate
- Make a list of things that you will enjoy.
When do you contact your health care provider?
•For mom
- You feel depressed and you want to stop breastfeeding
- If you have a problem with breastfeeding
- Your nipples are bleeding, cracked, or painful.
- Your breasts are red, tender, and warm.
- If you have a fever, nausea, and vomiting
- your breast become swollen
• For the baby
- Not gain weight after 5 days of age
- Too sleepy or have trouble while sleep
- Your baby’s skin or his eyes become yellow
- After 1 week, the baby wets fewer than 6 diapers /24 hours and 3 stools / 24hours
Get help immediately if :
• your baby doesn’t want to wake up and feed
• your baby has an unexplained fever
Ref :
The Brooklyn hospital center instructions summary
