6 things to do before giving birth to prepare for postpartum

We think a lot about what to do during labor, childbirth, returning home with the newborn but few imagine how important it is to do things before delivery that then helps the return home and makes it less demanding than it will be!

Obviously every experience is subjective but it is always better to prepare for any eventuality, right? For many mothers the return home is not all roses, we find ourselves with your child who is a small unknown being, full of needs, at the mercy of hormones, with a house full of people or even worse with no one who comes to cook or help.

1. Find out about breastfeeding

You will definitely want to breastfeed your little one. In addition to our specific area on breastfeeding (breastfeeding and artificial breastfeeding) you can buy some books, attend courses and talk to a professional IBCLC breastfeeding consultant.

Get the number of a midwife, if she does not already follow you during pregnancy, and have a chat with her too.

Two books we recommend:

• Breastfeeding – A gesture of love by Catanzani T , Blacks P – Bonomi
• A gift for life – Carlos González’s Guide to Breastfeeding

2. Buy an ergonomic headband or pouch

Seriously consider bringing your baby with a sling or baby carrier. You can move freely both at home and outside the home.

Bringing the newborn in this way is useful for your well-being and his: for him it will be like going back to the belly and you, having him close and in contact, you will feel more serene.

When the child is tired, crying, complaining or simply when you have to cook just put him in the band. Do not postpone its purchase until later because it is a support that can be useful even in the very first days in the hospital.

Contact mothers who already bring their babies, call a porter consultant and choose the support that suits your needs. In many cities there are fascioteche, places where you can try different types of supports, touch them with your hand and borrow them.

Useful links:

• Facebook group
• Site with the consultants of the port
• Book: Bringing the little ones. An ancient, modern and… Comfortable for getting together Flexible cover by Esther Weber
• How to make a sash yourself
• Where to buy bands and baby carriers

 3. Prepare all documents

Collect in a folder putting in chronological order blood tests and ultrasounds. Make a copy of your partner’s identity card, tax code and identity card. It will be useful to have everything in order so that you do not have to do these things during labor, which is not really the case.

4. Cook and ask for culinary gifts

If you love being in the kitchen you can cook small portions for two to put in the freezer, ready-made. Buy cookies, jam, and the things you love for breakfast.

Ask family and friends to cook food for you to bring (and then store) instead of onesies or flowers. It is very important that you eat to regain your strength.

A gift that can be useful to you, that people in your family can make you, is a voucher for a catering that delivers food at home so you will go out for walks and not to queue at the supermarket.

They are small things, but which, you will see, will come in very useful!

5. Think of a maid for the first few months after giving birth

It is better to dedicate an extra hour to your child and rest than to clean the house.

Often the people who come to visit you and offer you help do it in the wrong way: they keep the child in your place so as to leave you time to do the cleaning or follow other tasks.

What is needed is the exact opposite! But you must be willing to delegate certain activities without feeling obligated or demanding that they do them exactly as you want.

You must rest, rest, rest. Take a walk, sleep, attend groups of mothers, sign up in the pool with your child. Leave the cleaning to other people and if you really do not have the opportunity then do the bare minimum and do it together with your partner. In two everything is more beautiful and light.

6. Hang out with other moms

Find out about her postpartum classes, go to the local counseling center, sign up for swimming pool or post-natal yoga classes or simply go to the park and make friends.

All new mothers are looking for a sharing, you will find out if you are open to others.

It is very important to go out and meet other mothers, worries become lighter and if you are more serene your child will be too.

Good preparations!