10 Ways to Provide Support to Postpartum Moms
By: Sharon Burbelo, maternal family health liaison, The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial
The postpartum period is not only crucial for a newborn, but for their mother. The six to eight weeks following the birth of a child can be one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, periods in a mother’s life, making it essential to provide them with love and support any way we can.
While each person’s postpartum experience looks different, here are a few ways to help the new mom in your life.
1. Allow mom to focus on themselves and their baby
When you are supporting a postpartum mom, you want to make sure their only priorities are providing for their baby nutritionally, recovering physically, and protecting their psychological health. Make sure mom is well hydrated, rested, and eating nutritious meals. The postpartum support person should handle the other day-to-day tasks as much as possible, such as cleaning, cooking, and planning.
2. Support the postpartum partner
Moms may be the only one physically carrying and delivering the baby, but the postpartum partner is also walking alongside of her and sharing the journey of parenthood together. Whether it is a spouse, life-partner, sibling, parent, or friend, make sure to also support the person who is closest to the postpartum mom. That support will transfer to mom and baby just as much!
3. Encourage mom to get outside once a day
No amount of fresh air is bad for a family. Encourage new moms to get outside with their baby at least once a day, even on the first day they return home from the hospital. It is amazing how restorative a few deep breaths in the sunshine can be.
4. Keep up with appointments
There is a lot of follow-up during the postpartum period. We encourage moms to come back and meet with their care team if they have any concerns during this time. At The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial, the triage area on the fourth floor is open and available to all new moms during the six weeks postpartum.
5. Lactation support
As a health system, Jackson encourages and promotes breastfeeding, and we want to remind moms to take advantage of our lactation consultants. Moms can receive support by calling the lactation line and getting help over the phone, or schedule a free meeting with a lactation consultant to continue on their breastfeeding journey.
The Women’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial: 305-585-4744
The Women’s Pavilion at Jackson North: 305-654-5604
The Women’s Center at Jackson South: 305-256-5382
6. Postnatal vitamins
Taking postnatal vitamins is vital for new moms to get back on their feet and feeling like their best selves. We encourage all new moms to talk with their doctor about the best postnatal vitamins and medications for them.
7. Sleep
New moms need a lot of sleep to recover, so encourage them to sleep when their baby sleeps. Sleep disruption is the number one lifestyle change new parents experience, so offer a lending hand to allow mom a few quiet moments of sleep.
8. Moderate exercise
It’s a good idea to not return to the gym until your OB-GYN tells you it’s okay. Moderate exercise can be both physically and mentally beneficial. Taking a light walk in the sunshine can be healing for both mom and baby.
9. Logistics
Welcoming a child into the world comes with a lot of logistical work. Remind your postpartum loved ones to add their new bundle of joy to their insurance policy, and pick up their baby’s birth certificate. They should also know that their baby’s social security card will arrive in the mail about a month after they’re born. These are small details that can often be overlooked during the postpartum period.
10. Protect mom’s health
Postpartum moms will be told this in the hospital, but remember, nothing inside the vaginal canal until the six week postpartum appointment. This includes tampons, sex, and no sitting in the swimming pool or ocean. You want to encourage mom to protect their health and wellness to ensure they’re feeling their best for themselves and their baby.