No matter how a woman or a couple experiences the postpartum period, one thing is certain: those first few months after a baby’s birth are an intense time of discovery, transformation, and adjustment.
No two postpartum experiences are the same. While there are many aspects of postpartum that are beyond our control—such as the mother’s physical state after birth, whether the baby cries often, sleeps a lot or very little, has health issues or not—there are some elements that can be anticipated and prepared for, and these can sometimes make a real difference.
The physical recovery of the mother who carried the baby should be a top priority. But in order for her to rest and recover, she needs help and support—especially if there are older children to care for. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead as much as possible in terms of organization and logistics, to know what resources can be mobilized when needed.
1. Food and Logistics
The goal is to free yourself from as many logistical and household tasks as possible, so you can rest as much as you need while prioritizing healthy, nourishing meals tailored to your needs as a new mother :
- What kind of organization would you like to set up for grocery shopping and meal preparation ?
- What foods or recipes do you want to prioritize during the postpartum period ?
- How do you plan to manage household tasks like tidying up, laundry, and cleaning ?
- What arrangements can you make for caring for older children (childcare, drop-offs, activities) ?
2. Support from Loved Ones and Professional Contacts
The goal is to clearly identify the key people around you whom you can turn to for help, and to have the contact details of essential professionals on hand if needed.
- Do you have the contact information for all the professionals who can support you, along with an idea of any appointments you might need to schedule ?
- Which friends or family members can you rely on for a grocery run, to drop something off, to cook a meal (perhaps during a visit), or to lend a hand ?
3. Parental Well-being and Mental Health
The goal is to give yourself time to adjust and find a new family balance, while also putting things in place that support your well-being.
- Would you like to receive visits at the hospital and/or at home ?
- How can you prepare your home or at least a specific area (like the bedroom or the space where you’ll breastfeed or bottle-feed) to make it a comforting, peaceful cocoon where you feel safe and relaxed?
- Have you had a chance to talk with your partner about the new rhythm of life ahead, and how it might affect your routines and daily habits?
4. Baby’s Feeding and Care
The goal is to take time to get to know your baby, their rhythm and needs, and to learn how to breastfeed, if that is your choice.
- What are your plans for feeding the baby? Breastfeeding or not? Why? What is the plan for feeding especially at night if the mother is not breastfeeding, or if she is pumping ?
- Have you had a chance to discuss with your partner how you’ll organize your baby’s sleep (separate room, co-sleeping, etc.) ?
Amélie Patrux Eddy and Emmanuelle David are the co-founders of Naissance Holistique, an online childbirth support program designed to provide expecting parents with all the key information they need to make their own informed choices and live their own unique birth experiences.
Find your ideal maternity outfit. Discover all our sustainable and eco-friendly maternity clothes to wear before, during, and after pregnancy.