Post delivery care and bonding

You’ve just delivered a baby, and you’re going through a mix of emotions, possibly even postpartum stress. You’re probably still recovering but you also want to enjoy time with your baby. Here are some tips on bonding with newborn babies and how to take care of yourself at the same time.

Tips on Relieving Postpartum Stress

• Get plenty of rest
• Take a shower with warm water
• Get frequent massages, especially on sore muscles
• Drink warm fluids such as soups and make sure to stay well hydrated
• Do deep breathing exercises
• If you have undergone cesarean delivery, do not lift heavy objects until given the go ahead by your doctor

Eating healthy food

Eat a well-balanced diet from 5 food Groups: Carbohydrates, Vegetables, Fruits, Protein & Dairy products. Iron-rich foods are highly recommended because Iron deficiency is a common problem after delivery. These foods include: Liver, lean meats, poultry, oysters, tuna, salmon, molasses, dried beans and prunes, broccoli, beets, spinach, eggs, legumes, almonds, raisins and apricots.

Bonding with newborn baby after birth

Both mother and baby benefit from being in contact immediately after birth. Give your baby your full attention during this precious time. Gaze at his face and let him hear the voices of his parents that he has already learned to recognize in the womb.

Lay your baby on your chest, tummy to tummy, cheek to breast, skin to skin. Cover your baby with a blanket, and your body heat will keep him warm better than any elaborate hospital equipment.

After holding your baby close to you after birth, let him breastfeed right away.

Place your baby in a face-to-face position, adjusting your head and your baby’s head so that your eyes meet. Enjoy this visual connection during the brief period of quiet alertness after birth. These will really help with bonding with newborns.