One of the things I see so often is that we put so much effort and time into the pregnancy and not so much planning into the postpartum time. It bears mentioning that planning for this portion of the journey can be helpful and necessary. Honestly, it’s not necessarily about the fancy gadgets and nursery decor. Taking time to plan meals, meal delivery services, household tasks, and who, if anyone, can come to help once you get home is a critical element. Delivery can also impact the type of support you may need, so a plan is necessary.

I read an article the other day that said that we are doing a disservice by telling parents that “it takes a village.” While I don’t disagree with the statement, the village has changed, and frankly, it is typically a village you need to pay for. Gone are the days when family was directly down the street, and everyone took a shift. One of the best things you can do is plan for support, and it may be support you pay for. A postpartum doula is a great investment and can really help with the transition to coming home. It can be helpful whether you are a first-time parents or if you are bringing him a 2nd or 3rd baby. Let’s have a look at the type of support that they provide.

Practical assistance: Doulas can assist with household chores, meal preparation, and running errands, allowing the new mother to focus on her recovery and bonding with her baby. This practical help can significantly reduce stress and exhaustion.

Breastfeeding support: Postpartum doulas can provide guidance and support for breastfeeding, including latching, positioning, and answering questions about infant feeding. They can also offer resources for addressing common breastfeeding challenges.
Newborn care education: Doulas can help parents learn about newborn care, including diapering, swaddling, soothing techniques, and safe sleep practices. They can provide guidance on infant sleep schedules and assist with creating a structured routine.
Postpartum recovery support: Doulas can offer information and guidance on postpartum recovery, including physical and emotional healing after childbirth. They can help the mother understand the changes her body is going through and offer strategies for self-care.
Sibling and family support: Postpartum doulas can assist with sibling adjustment and help the whole family adapt to the new addition. They provide care and support to older siblings and help the family maintain a sense of normalcy.
Infant care assistance: Doulas can help with newborn care, including diaper changes, soothing techniques, and basic baby care. This can be especially helpful for first-time parents or those with limited support networks.
Sleep support: Doulas can offer guidance on establishing healthy sleep habits for both the mother and the baby. They can help parents navigate infant sleep patterns and offer strategies for improving sleep quality.
Non-judgmental support: Postpartum doulas provide non-judgmental support, respecting the parenting choices and philosophies of the family. They offer information and guidance but don't impose their own opinions.
Reduced stress and increased confidence: The presence of a postpartum doula can reduce stress for new parents, increase their confidence in caring for their baby, and improve overall well-being. This support can lead to a smoother transition into parenthood.
*It's important to note that postpartum doulas do not provide medical or clinical care; they complement the care provided by healthcare professionals. The specific services and scope of support can vary based on individual doula qualifications and agreements. The level and type of support needed can also vary depending on the family's circumstances and preferences.
Don’t underestimate meal preparation or a meal service. One of the best healing practices you can add to your routine when arriving home with your new baby is nourishing meals. Here are just a few of the benefits:
1. Convenience: Postpartum recovery can be physically demanding and time-consuming. Preparing meals can be challenging, and meal delivery services provide convenience by saving you the time and effort required to shop for groceries, cook, and clean up.
2. Nutritional Support: Proper nutrition is vital for postpartum recovery and for maintaining energy levels, especially if you're breastfeeding. Meal delivery services often offer well-balanced, nutritious options that ensure you get the essential nutrients.
3. Varied Menu Options: Many meal delivery services offer various menu options to cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions, making finding meals that suit your specific needs easier.
4. Customization: Some meal delivery services allow you to customize your meals so you can select ingredients or dishes that align with your dietary preferences or restrictions.
5. Portion Control: Meals from delivery services are typically portion-controlled, which can help new mothers avoid overeating or undereating, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
6. Reduced Stress: Postpartum is a time of high stress and sleep deprivation. Meal delivery services can reduce the stress associated with meal planning, cooking, and cleaning, allowing new parents to focus on self-care and bonding with their baby.
7. Community Support: Friends and family who want to help can contribute by ordering meal deliveries, either as one-time gifts or through meal delivery gift cards. This support can provide a network of care during the postpartum period.
8. Time for Rest: New mothers can maximize their rest and recovery using meal delivery services while enjoying nutritious, satisfying meals. This can help with overall postpartum healing.
9. Specialized Postpartum Menus: Some meal delivery services offer specialized postpartum menus designed to support recovery, such as meals containing ingredients that promote healing and lactation.
10. Dietary Requirements: Meal delivery services can cater to specific dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free options, which can be essential for mothers with specific dietary needs or restrictions.

When considering meal delivery options for the postpartum period, it's essential to plan ahead and choose a service that aligns with your dietary preferences and any specific nutritional needs you may have. Additionally, it can be beneficial to arrange for meal delivery services before the baby arrives to ensure that you have a convenient and reliable source of nourishment during the early weeks of postpartum recovery.

Trust me when I say planning the postpartum time will be the best thing you can do for your family.

XOXO-Holly

We need to prepare for post-partum as much as we prepare for birth. We need our support system to show up. We need to be having hard conversations with each other, and friends and family. We need to be planning for what we are going to need, and I am here to tell you, it is a lot more than just picking out the crib and stroller. I always tell my clients…..I will always tell you the truth, and here is the truth. Where do I see a great opportunity? Not just in bringing home your first baby, but baby number two. There is more to think of, and more to be ready for. Let’s talk about how we can be ready, and I’m gonna keep it real. I don’t want people to go into the romanticized idea of coming home. I want you to be prepared for the reality of coming home, and it can be hard. Have conversations about sleep, meals, and how your people can help you. How can you alternate making sure that you each are getting some sleep? Nothing causes more issues with your ability to regulate the nervous system and heal than lack of sleep, not to mention the ability to think clearly. Sleep is so important!

There is a lot to think about, but if we are prepared, we will be able to enjoy this time and feel supported. You need to be able to heal, love on your baby, and sometimes assimilate another child to this new world, and planning will make it better. One of the first things that I recommend is having a conversation with your partner about what the roles in the house are going to look like. The laundry, meal prep, errands, and everything else it takes to make your household run smoothly isn’t going to stop, so having conversations about these things will save endless tears, I promise.

Meal prep is a game changer, and not just when you first get home. If you are going to breastfeed and heal from birth, nutrition is a critical piece of this puzzle. You are not going to feel like preparing meals, but you are going to need meals so anything you can do to prepare for this is going to help. I always recommend people to have an instant pot. Now, don’t roll your eyes. That’s exactly what I did when my mother told me that I needed one. I ignored her advice on this for months, that is until she showed up at my house with a roast and her instant pot. This seven-pound roast with vegetables was ready in 50 minutes! You read that right, 50 minutes! A healthy meal that is packed full of nutrients only took that long. Steel-cut oats take two minutes to make, add some fruit, and nuts and you are able to start the day with the nutrition that you need to heal and take care of your baby. It is a game changer, and if you don’t have one, consider getting one. I have some sessions available at a discounted price for a 90-minute meal and nutrition consultation. We will cover how to meal prep, recipe planning, and how to make the most nutrient-dense breastmilk you can. Schedule that here.

One of the best things that you can do is have conversations with friends and or family about how they can help. People can’t come over if they aren’t going to help. Period. Don’t entertain your people. In order to visit, they need to prepare food, fold some laundry, and most importantly, listen. My favorite kind of visit is when they stop by, leave goodies at the door, and text a sweet message. Don’t be afraid to let people know how to support you, or what you need. These are your people. They love and adore you. You should be able to count on them. Gone are the days when the birthing person entertains the people who come to visit. It’s not helpful to anyone, and you don’t need any more work. My experience has taught me that people really do want to help, and if you let them know what you need, they will deliver.

Your goals upon returning home with your sweet, sweet baby need to be focused on you and your humans in your home. Be intentional in your conversations. Discuss meals, sleep, a break ( maybe you need to run to target because you want to, not becuase you have to), what can they do so that you can spend time with your baby and heal. This is a really precious time, and I want you to look back and realize that you came through the other side with amazing memories, a full heart and a lot of support. Support that you thought through, made known, and that your people delivered. There will be hard days, but there will also be days when you amaze yourself at your strength, at your ability, and you will look to the future and know that you can do it. I know that sometimes it seems impossible to imagine, but take it from me. My oldest is headed to college, and he was a NICU baby. It was hard. Despite all of that, I still look at him with amazement and think back to the endless days and nights in that NICU where everything was uncertain and I had no idea what to expect, and my people showed up in more ways than one. As he towers over me about to start the next phase of his life, I see that tiny baby sometimes, and you know what I think? I did it. I made it through all of that, but I didn’t just make it through, I loved a lot of it. I find myself still needing my people to show up, because I now know that raising these tiny humans is the greatest acheivment of my lifetime, and I look forward to watching, cheering, and supporting their next steps because I know what is possible.

XOXO-Holly

Post-Partum....Tips for Thriving

Setting Post-Partum Expectations