Why You Need to Support Your Body in Postpartum & Beyond
When we are a new mother, stress, toxins, lack of sleep and all the to-do’s we have in daily life takes its toll on a recovering body.
The thing is, when someone has had a surgery (say on their leg), we make them rest and do things to help them, right?
Yet being a new mother, you might receive a bit of help here and there if you’re lucky, but for the most part people stay away “to let you have some space”, or, more so, because they don’t know what to do to help.
It takes time for your body, that has recently grown a little human for 9 months, then opened it up in every way to bring this baby into the world, to recover. I mean, this transformation is massive. I reeaaaally want you to get this, mama.
It will take time for your beautiful body to come back to full recovery. Just because the GP at your 6 week check up gives you the green light for resuming sex and exercise doesn’t mean your done!
When a mother doesn’t have the help, is stressed and gets back to ‘daily life with a baby in arms’ – shopping, going to cafes, mums groups and having loads of visitors, getting on with the household chores….this is what can, and often does happen:
- Bleeding can last longer,
- Exhaustion kicks in sooner and quite significantly,
- Auto-immune issues including thyroid imbalance can show up,
- Digestive health suffers, with symptoms like gas, reflux and gallbladder issues
- Eating nourishing foods goes out the window
- Sleep deprivation causing unclear thinking
- Depression and/or anxiety
In fact, depression and anxiety is becoming more and more common. Hormones are not being supported to come back into balance. (Hormones are naturally fluctuating in the early months but with the lack of sleep and nutrition, add stress on top, down the track issues can arise.)
This is NOT normal. It is not how motherhood is meant to be.
The initial 4, 6, 8 weeks after having a baby is meant to be a nurturing, bonding, supported experience. This is why many traditional cultures care for their mothers.
It really takes up to the first 6 weeks just to settle in with everything.
Here’s 3 tips to help you at least start to prioritise your needs:
- Have meals organised with family and friends for at least the first 4 weeks. Know what foods are best to eat, and which ones to avoid for a short time is important.
- Hire a house cleaner who uses non toxic cleaning products or is happy to use your non-toxic products. When family or friends ask what gifts you want – mention a house cleaner!
- If you have other children, organise someone to be with them at home, take them to a park or do school drop off/pick up for you.
Of course, there’s going to be crazy times. Babies can be unsettled (that can be from your diet), there’ll be feeding clusters, sleepless nights, and times of not having something nutritious prepared when you’re hungry.
It’s not about having it perfect. It is about being as prepared as possible, and if you have the opportunity to hire a postpartum doula, I highly recommend it.
Being prepared for your postpartum is more important, in my opinion, than the nursery and all the things. Babies needs are pretty simple really.
It’s far more necessary to get yourself looked after and your needs met for those few weeks when you’re needing to rest and recover. Even if you’re now months into your journey, it’s not too late, mama.
My message to you is, look after yourself as much as you can.
Imagine yourself in 12 months, 3 years, 5 years time. How do you want to be with your child/ren? Do you want to have the energy to engage with them, or will you be heading towards burn out and slumping after lunch?
You don’t need to wear the super mum cape, and you are not incapable if you’re asking for help.
You’re meant to get support, because as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child.
When you look after yourself first, you’re actually taking care of your family in the best possible way.
It’s a simple decision mama.
If you’re looking for clear guidance around your nutritional needs, how to speak up and get the help you need, then contact me today.
Blessings Mama
Tara
