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I didn't grow up seeing women breastfeed, so I, and many like me, recreated an image in my head of how it looks to [breast]feed a baby.
. . . . . . . . With my first baby, I sat upright, held my baby in a cradle hold, placed her on top of a pillow, and we got on okay in this position, but man did my nipples burn with pain. By my second baby I figured out if I was reclined, baby was on top of me, belly to belly, (heartbeat to heartbeat is how I thought of it), it was so much more comfortable for both of us. These positions will help you while you're learning to breastfeed. You'll be more comfortable, more relaxed, and so will your baby be. Your baby will achieve a deeper latch, and baby will gain weight. . . . . . . . . Give it a try, be patient with yourself and see how your breastfeeding relationship will improve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHXolgD4r44
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I believe there are four essential ingredients to a happy, healthy postpartum period:
Nourishment ○ Engagement ○ Support ○ Time Nutritious, tasty food. Engaging with your friends, family and community. Support from me and loved ones. Time for bonding, healing and self-care. Birth-story telling is a powerful tool for any one who has just given birth. The way you experienced your birth is unique to you. Telling your story to friends and relatives might not achieve the level of understanding or empathy you seek. Telling your story to an unbiased listener can be healing and freeing. Speak with someone who won't judge you, give you advice or try to fix it. Share as little or as much of your story as you want to, all at once or over time. Telling your story to your Postpartum Doula means you'll have the full attention of an objective listener. If you need deeper healing to move on from your birth experience, a Postpartum Doula will be able to refer you to an appropriate professional.
Physical healing after birth takes time and as a new parent with new demands on your body and being, you need to allow yourself plenty of time and space to heal physically, emotionally and to savour the special moments only you and baby will share. Nourishing foods are key to healing your body and ensuring you have the energy and resilience to care for your new baby. Check out my menu for nourishing soups and snacks delivered to your door. New parents are not only healing physiologically, but often mentally. It's important for you to connect and share feelings with someone who is impartial. Birth storytelling is one way you can share your triumphs and disappointments. Another way is to build your community. Do you have friends who are in the same stage of life as you, that you can meet up with regularly? If not, get involved with local baby and parent drop-in groups, or start your own. Your Postpartum Doula can connect you to likeminded new parents in your area.
Many cultures still observe a lying-in period for new mothers and their babies. This is a time when the new mother and her baby are on bedrest, staying warm, being fed and nurtured by family, and cocooning themselves away from the world for a little while. This can be a magical period of irreplaceable moments, away from the hustle and bustle of life, staying cozy at home with only baby to focus us. When I had heard of the lying-in period in Germany, call Wochenbett or Kindbett (translated to child-bed), I decided I would do this with my second baby. For 7 entire days I stayed in bed with my new baby. I maybe ventured to the sofa in the living room once or twice. My 3 yr old would join us for movies on the laptop in the afternoons, and the rest of the time I was in bed, set up with my snacks and beverages, while my parents cared for my toddler. We established breastfeeding well, which I attribute to this uninterrupted rest time, and to co-sleeping. If I had a time machine I would go back and do this with my first born. The two experiences were a stark contrast. |
Julitais a Postpartum Doula Offering Postpartum Support in Victoria, BC archivescategories |
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