It’s more than 100 days now post child birth. You will learn something new almost everyday isn’t it! Well there are quite a few things you should consider to ensure you are healthy in a long run. Here are the few key things you should take care in the 5th birth after child birth.
Sleep
Why so much importance is given to sleep? Your hormones already changed in the past month and you are no longer under the tag, as a woman who just gave birth to a baby. Although you may get pampered by everyone in the family, your body no longer pamper as you so. You are back to normal. So, you should regulate the sleeping pattern. The phase of sleeping is becoming more important to you as well to your baby. She will sleep for about 6 hours stretch at night.
Still, if you find you are deprived of sleep, don’t hesitate to ask for help. When the baby wakes up in the early morning, feed her and let a family member look after her for a couple of hours.
Seeking help doesn’t make you a bad mother, rather not getting sleep and ruining your health may make you so!
And don’t put the baby to sleep so early. Try to sleep at the same time more or less you put the baby to sleep. You can catch up some long hours of sleep you always yearned for.
Do you find your bedroom a comfortable and conducive place for sleeping? De-clutter your room, which enables you sleep better. (And the baby will start moving across your home anytime sooner.)
Easy Exercise – Walking
Be it C-section or normal delivery, this is time to get into some serious walking plan.
Try to walk at least 45 minutes a day (normal delivery mommies) at a stretch. 20 to 30 minutes walking help you manage your weight, but the metabolism boost won’t be there. Go a bit extra and walk for 45 minutes. Initially it will be hard but you can make it easier.
C-section mommies, if you feel yourself absolutely normal, just go for walking about 30 minutes. Start in slow pace and increase the speed to the maximum extent you feel comfortable.
Walking is the easiest exercise because everyone knows how to walk isn’t it? That’s it. Still, all types of exercises are recommended except something high intensity.
Regular exercises during the day make you fall asleep peacefully at night.
Pamper you (Very important)
If you feel sick (need not be very physical), try to pamper you.
Try to catch up rest, more rest than before. There would be many people around you to help you and take care of your little one since she will be more playful now.
The rest or break can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours as you preferred. In case of longer break about 2 hours, just make sure your baby is fed fully and ensure her comfort.
This short break can bring a lot of positive impact in your mood and uplifts you.
Try to catch up short naps while your baby sleeps during the day time. Or make the most of that quiet and peaceful period for you.
Plan for a visit to your doctor ONLY if necessary
Visiting doctor often isn’t necessity! Don’t take your baby or give a visit for yourself to the doctor very often. Most issues you are likely to encounter are trivial and don’t make the big fuss out of that. You can schedule for a visit by end of the 6th month, but make it in case of necessity!
Check for abnormalities
Health abnormalities are less likely to happen during this phase. For instance, pain in the lower abdomen area, itchiness and irritation in genitals (sudden onset), heaviness of breasts (Still you are not comfortable??!!), sensation of irritation in the abdominal region (happens in c-section mommies) etc. If you notice any of the onset of abnormalities suddenly or gradually which were not a major concern in the early days of postpartum, consult with a doctor.
If you feel any kind of discomfort in lower abdomen or in genitals, visit the doctor immediately.
Bloating and water retention
Bloating and water retention are the major problems faced by many mommies. Following are a few things that might help you.
- Drink a lot of water and keep yourself hydrated.
- Involve in physical activities
- Eat bananas (rich source of potassium to reduce water retention)
- Drink cumin water
- Add fennel, ginger, garlic and cardamom (be vary about cardamom) in your diet regularly
Eating
Probably you are just following a restricted diet (need not be the foods you don’t like) for breastfeeding. Just stick to it. But you can occasionally treat yourself with the foods you like the most. It makes no harm in eating a pizza or ice cream once in a while. Yet, don’t over indulge.
When you don’t get proper sleep?
- Create the sleep routine (Telling this for weeks and months) .
- Make the time before sleeping time relaxing one. Don’t involve in any heavy tasks before sleeping. Allocate that time to play with baby, talk to your hubby, etc.
- Do simple breathing exercises and stretches before sleep to relax your body and mind.
- Play soft and soothing music.
Read something new, not related to the baby
Okay you have been around the baby so much. Distract yourself. I’m not saying you should avoid the baby but try to read or learn something new that is not relate to the baby! It will be refreshing and rejuvenating.
Cramps – signs of periods
If you get the periods during this month, you are likely to experience moderate to severe cramps. You may have scanty menstrual flow initially. Sometimes the menstrual cycle won’t be regular.
To know about conception and contraceptive, check the month 4. An overview is given about the same. Detailed view is provided in the sixth month, watch this space.
Few WORDS to NOTE
Your baby will undergo a lot of changes at this phase. Don’t compare the developmental millstone of your baby with other. While it is important to keep a track on the milestones, just don’t sit on that. Every baby is unique, as so is their development. Comparison makes your life terrible, especially when you compare the baby with others. Never do it.