How to navigate Postpartum successfully and recover fast

Because I know some of you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or intending to have a baby, I’ll share some simple tips to take care of yourself during this time.

Remember our mantra: we can’t give what we don’t have. So the better you feel and nurture yourself, the better your precious baby will be.

1. Avoid comparing yourself to others and embrace the uniqueness of your process. Your body may need more time to get back to normal. You may be more sleep-deprived than others, but all that is okay. Focus your energy on bonding with your new family. Practice self-compassion and self-love, and remember that you’re performing the most difficult job on earth!
2. Try that your very first meal after birth is home-cooked. Hospital food is processed and low in nutrient density. You may get a slice of pizza right after the birth of your baby to replenish, so it’s better to be prepared. Go for easy-to-digest foods as your stomach will be still normalizing. Soups are a great option.
3. Continue taking your probiotic, prenatal, and omega-3. If you’re not taking any of this consider taking them. Making a human takes a lot of work, macronutrients, and micronutrients from your body. If you don’t replenish them, it’s very easy to get depleted and even develop serious hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism. (1)
4. EAT ENOUGH CALORIES: I want to emphasize a lot here. If you’re breastfeeding you will require 300 to 500 calories more than you normally eat. Even if you’re not breastfeeding, taking care of a baby is extremely demanding.  The First Forty Days is a very easy read to understand how and what you should eat during this time.
5. Focus on food quality and not quantity: avoid processed foods, sugar, refined flours, and vegetable oils. Increase the intake of good fats such as avocado, grass-fed ghee butter, coconut, and olive oil.
6. Get a good natural nipple creamand start using it during the last couple of weeks of your due date. Apply a tiny bit each night.  Earth Mamma is another great option.
7. If your milk supply needs a boost you can try some natural herbs. Mother’s Milk Tea & More Milk Plus.
8. Get some organic dandelion or raspberry leaf tea to support your hormones.
9. Take good care of your pelvic floor before you even consider exercising again. Most women have urinary problems after birth, usually in the form of stress incontinence. Check out my last interview on this.
10. Care for your emotions and find a practice that soothes you. After birth, many things change in a mom’s mind – so speaking to someone about how you feel is an incredible tool to heal and recover faster. Find support and strategies like breathing exercises or meditation that help you cope with the mental and physical changes.
11. Find your crew: while motherhood is a joy it can be isolating and particularly for mums who are far away from their families and close friends. Connect with mom groups or any other group you think could give you the support you need.

Bear in mind that everything you eat and put on your skin goes straight through your baby, so try to eat organic, pesticide-free, use products that are free of toxins, sulfates, parabens, or chemicals that will impact your and your baby’s health.

Additional reading: Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Issues

Haven’t tried this but found it really useful: 5 step recovery regime