Managing fatigue after your baby is born
Those days right after your baby is born can be grueling. You're
likely in some pain from the delivery, and the baby is keeping
you up all night. Here are some tips to help you cope in those
first few weeks.
Let some things go Prepare yourself ahead of time to focus on
yourself and the baby, and let some things go undone. If you
need a clean house in order to relax, have someone come in and
clean for you. The last thing you need to do is try to keep
everything going, plus care for a new baby.
Rest Send the visitors away if you need to and take the time to
rest. Everybody will tell you "sleep when the baby sleeps", but
for me that was a real problem. No matter how tired I am, I
cannot necessarily "sleep on command". But, I did learn that
half an hour on the couch with a magazine helped me feel better,
even if I didn't sleep.
Ask for help Having some help around the house can be a godsend.
My husband took two weeks off work after our daughter was born,
and it was wonderful. He totally focused on taking care of the
both of us, making me feel much less guilty about getting some
rest. But, even if you can't have someone with you full time,
there are certainly people in your life that would be glad to
come and spend some time helping you out with the baby and with
household chores.
Take a shower and get dressed Sounds crazy, I know, since all
you feel like doing is lying in bed in your bathrobe. But, if
you get up in the morning and get dressed for the day, fixing
your hair and makeup the way you normally would, it's likely to
leave you feeling more like your old self.
Eat and eat well You may not really feel like it, but getting
back to a healthy diet as soon as you are able will help you
regain your strength. Drink plenty of fluids, to reduce swelling
and help you get your system functioning normally again.
Finally, slow down and enjoy. The time will come, and very soon,
when you won't believe your baby was ever this small. So, just
rest and enjoy this special time, and let your body heal.