September 23, 2023 • 17 mins
Postpartum is such a significant time of change, adaptation, and bonding. It can also be a stressful, sleepless, and emotional time. I encourage you, if you're pregnant or hope to be, spend some time thinking through what you want the first 8 weeks postpartum to look like. If you're already postpartum, I would also encourage you to prioritize rest moving forward. And if you're beyond postpartum, consider how you might encourage or provide care/meals/rest for a new mom that you know. đź’•
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Links: some of these links are affiliate links, and at no extra cost to you, should you choose to purchase through the link, I will receive a commission. I appreciate you supporting my business this way!
Quick Links
- Mental health support: https://www.postpartum.net/
- Article 3 Steps to Prepare a Nourishing Postpartum Recovery: https://www.resourcedoula.com/preparing-your-postpartum-recovery-plan/
- Free postpartum plan by Earth Mama Angel Baby:https://trainat.li/postpartum-plan
- Freezer meals: https://trainat.li/freezermeals
- Exercise: https://www.resourcedoula.com/quick-tips-postpartum-exercise-recommendations/
Books:
- The First 40 Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou: https://mydou.la/first-forty-days
- Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols: https://mydou.la/real-food-for-pregnancy
Breastfeeding:
- IBCLC: TRD episode #4 with two IBCLCs: https://www.resourcedoula.com/interview-with-carrie-harris-ibclc-sarah-stevens-ibclc/
- KellyMom: https://trainat.li/kelly-mom is a great site for breastfeeding information
Products
- A caddy for each “station” around the house: https://mydou.la/caddy
- Baby wrap or ring sling & soft structured carrier
 – TRD episode #31 Babywearing Basics with Cassidy from Let’s Talk Babywearing: https://www.resourcedoula.com/babywearing-basics-with-cassidy-of-lets-talk-babywearing/
Top tip: Trust in yourself and your knowledge of your own body and your baby.
All the resources I mentioned and more are a part of a bigger list that is a live document - meaning I update it regularly! Yhttps://www.resourcedoula.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter and gain access to my most up-to-date resource list here: https://www.resourcedoula.com/resources
The Resource Doula Podcast Social Channels:
Instagram: @resourcedoulapodcast
Resource Doula Podcast Youtube: @resourcedoula
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Natalie (00:00):
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the abundance of
resources out there when itcomes to pregnancy, birth,
postpartum, and parenting?
Trust me, you're not alone.
In this age of informationoverload, it's easy to get lost
in the sea of options and end upnot taking action at all.
I'm Natalie, and you'relistening to the Resource Duo
Podcast.
Join me on this mini seriesdesigned to help simplify this.
(00:22):
journey.
In each episode, I'll go throughmy favorite resources for a
specific category, making iteasier than ever to find the
information you need and leavebehind what doesn't resonate
with you.
Our approach here is all aboutembracing a holistic, natural,
and non toxic lifestyle.
Let's get started.
Today, we're talking about myfavorite resources for the
(00:44):
postpartum period.
Postpartum is such a significanttime of change, adaptation,
bonding.
It can also be a stressful,sleepless, and emotional time.
I would encourage you, if youare pregnant or hope to be soon,
spend some time thinking throughwhat you want the first eight
weeks postpartum to look like.
(01:04):
If you're already postpartum, Iwould also encourage you to
prioritize rest moving forward.
And if you're beyond postpartum,consider how you might encourage
or provide care or meals or restfor a new mom that you know.
There's something that needs tobe said before we dive into all
of my favorite resources andthat.
(01:25):
Is that the absolute, mostimportant thing is that your
mental health is taken care ofand postpartum support
international.
Is an excellent resource forthis.
They have a crisis hotline.
They have a bunch of onlinesupport groups and lots of
resources on maternal andpaternal mental health.
As well as a directory where youcan find a local professional a
(01:48):
therapist.
So if you are struggling or evenjust feel slightly off, please
seek out, help.
Or if you know, someone whocould use some support, reach
out, be there for them, sendthem resources.
The more we talk about it, theless taboo it becomes and the
more moms who get help sooner.
(02:09):
I wrote an article on the threesteps to prepare a nourishing
postpartum recovery plan and itgoes into depth about building
your support network,prioritizing resting and how you
can do that and returning tonormal life slowly with some
specific exerciserecommendations.
So I will link that in the shownotes, but I'm going to talk
about each of those things aswell.
(02:30):
So what I consider to beessentials for postpartum and
after you've had your baby isreally different than.
And the list of the right carseat or the right pacifier or
the right bottle or all of thoseproducts are really
individualized and depend onwhat you and your baby are
comfortable with.
(02:51):
So I'm going to talk about moreof the support aspect of
postpartum than I am actualproducts.
So the first thing that Iconsider to be essential is
setting up a support network anda postpartum plan.
Now if you've heard about abirth plan, you're kind of
familiar with the idea of havinga game plan for how the day is
(03:12):
going to go.
I would argue that a postpartumplan is...
Significantly more importantthan a birth plan, which I'm a
fan of birth plans to don't getme wrong but a postpartum plan
can give you the informationthat you need and Help you to
feel empowered and when you'rein that sleep deprived state,
you don't have to set boundariesYou don't have to tell people
(03:34):
what to do.
It's already written out fromwhen you were pregnant.
So there is a free Line in planon earth mama angel baby site.
I will link to that.
It's a really good place tostart It goes over like okay who
is gonna help you do thesespecific chores?
When you are nursing your babywhen you are feeding your baby
(03:54):
Who is going to help you takecare of your pets and your
animals when you are at thebirth place wherever you are It
also talks about Who is going tobuy groceries what your food
train is going to look like yourmeal train things like that So
it gets really specific andhelps you think about all of the
details that you might notConsider if you've never had a
(04:16):
baby before so highly recommendstarting there I would also
think about your food planputting together Freezer meals,
having a baby shower gift fromeverybody instead of baby
products, especially if it's asecond or third or subsequent
child, is having them just bringa fresh meal and or a freezer
(04:40):
meal, things like that, or Havea food preparation party where
everyone comes over and helpsyou to make freezer meals.
,There's a really great list oflike over 50 meals that I
recommend to everyone off ofLily Nichols site.
I used a lot of those recipeswhen I did my surgery prep.
Highly recommend delicious,nutritious, all of the things.
(05:02):
I will link that in the shownotes for you.
And there's also freezing tipson how Um, specifically to
freeze food and how to get themost bang for your buck another
couple essential things to thinkabout for the postpartum period
when you're planning.
If you're there now are yourboundaries with family and
friends.
Um, when you're going to havepeople come visit, are you going
(05:22):
to have people come visit?
When they come visit, are theyallowed to hold the baby?
Are they going to do chores foryou?
What is going to be their role?
How long are they going to stay?
Are you going to allow them tokiss the baby, touch the baby,
feed the baby?
All of those questions areimportant to think about prior
to, so you're not caught in amoment where it leaves you
feeling pressured one way or theother.
(05:44):
That also goes intocommunication.
So if you can communicatereally, really well with your
family and friends prior to thebirth of your baby or babies,
then they know theirexpectations.
They know your expectations andyou can have conversations prior
to, so it doesn't become anissue when you establish your
postpartum visiting guidelines,um, when you do.
(06:07):
give birth.
Another essential thing topostpartum is movement.
It doesn't have to be exercise.
I encourage just general gentlemovement in the first few weeks.
And I have an entire article onwhat I recommend, uh,
specifically week by week forpostpartum.
There is a plan, uh, that I dorecommend, but just getting out
(06:28):
for some gentle walks in thefirst.
Maybe week two or week three,starting to do your
diaphragmatic breathing thefirst week, starting to do some
gentle strengthening.
Reconnecting your brain withyour core and your pelvic floor
are incredibly important, andstudies have shown that exercise
(06:48):
during the postpartum perioddramatically reduces your
chances for anxiety, depression,or it can just help.
alleviate some of thosesymptoms.
Um, so movement is essential.
To go along with the movementpiece, I would recommend you see
a pelvic PT if you can.
within your means, within yournetwork, insurance wise, cash
(07:12):
pay, whatever it may be, if youcan get to a pelvic PT, I do
recommend booking it as early aspossible.
If you're still pregnant, bookit for eight weeks past your due
date.
And as long as you're on thebooks and you can move it
around, a lot of times qualitypelvic PT offices have a long
wait list.
So it's really beneficial if youcan get on there earlier.
(07:34):
If not, try to see them afterthat six week.
appointment when you are clearedfor an internal exam, if that's
something you wish to have, theycan really help you and set you
up for success on yourpostpartum recovery journey.
Now I want to talk about books.
I've already mentioned both ofthese books in the previous two
(07:54):
episodes of this mini series.
The first one is called thefirst 40 days by Heng Wu.
It's a traditional Perspectiveof resting for the first 40 days
after giving birth.
Um, and it's really eye openingto how many cultures prioritize
rest and mothering the motherand how much we in the U S I'm
(08:15):
speaking for myself as, as U Sresident, um, Um, we don't honor
that time and we are givingaccolades to people who get up a
couple weeks after giving birthand go back to the gym or go and
do their normal thing and rusharound and get out of the house
as much as possible.
(08:36):
But really the first 40 dayssets you up for the next 40
years.
So you can establish thatpostpartum plan ahead of time.
Prioritize rest, eat yournourishing foods.
Then you're going to feel somuch better.
You're going to do so muchbetter, not only physically, but
mentally as well.
So highly, highly recommend thatbook.
(08:57):
And then you already know, I'mgoing to recommend Real Food for
Pregnancy by Lily Nichols.
I can't stop talking about it.
It is essential forpreconception, pregnancy,
postpartum and beyond as well.
So I will link to those in theshow notes.
Something else that I recommendas a resource during the
postpartum period is people andprofessionals.
(09:19):
So if you are choosing tobreastfeed, if you would like to
breastfeed, ideally you meetwith an IBCLC, so an
Internationally Board Certifiedlactation consultant, um, prior
to giving birth, right after yougive birth, having a, have a
relationship with them, have anestablished connection with
them.
So you have somebody to call orreference or ask questions when
(09:42):
you are struggling.
If you are struggling,breastfeeding is hard and it's a
challenge and it's oftentimeskind of considered something
that's natural, so it should beeasy, right?
But if you are curious aboutbreastfeeding and how you can
make it easier on yourself,highly recommend taking a
breastfeeding class, meetingwith an IBCLC, and establishing
(10:04):
kind of your boundaries aroundthat and who in your life and
who in your home can supportyour breastfeeding endeavors.
Kelly Mom is a really excellentsite for evidence based
Breastfeeding information.
I also did a podcast episode.
It was episode number four, soyou have to scroll way back
there with two of my favoriteIBCLCs on what you might not
(10:26):
know about breastfeeding, andthat one's a really excellent
episode, and it's really fun,too.
Um, another person that I wouldrecommend is, In the postpartum
period is a doula, a postpartumdoula, or somebody who can act
such as one.
So postpartum doulas, they cancome in, they can do your
laundry, they can do yourdishes, they can help you
(10:47):
process your birth.
They can help you figure outyour boundaries.
They can take care of your babywhile you nap, while you shower.
It's just having an extra set ofhands, especially if you don't
have family.
close by who, or friends who youtrust to come over and help you
out in your home during thattime, then a postpartum doula is
a really excellent idea.
(11:09):
And that's something that youcan put on your registry as a
fund, as a group fund, insteadof getting a hundred more baby
onesies.
If you don't have a postpartumdoula or friends or family, Um,
also having a fund on yourregistry or having people gift
you somebody who can come overand clean your house.
Do those chores that you do notneed to be doing immediately
(11:31):
postpartum, nor does anyone inyour immediate family.
If you're bonding as a family orif you have older kids who need
to be taken care of, if yourspouse is back to work, things
like that, then somebody who cancome over and clean the house.
and has no judgment forpostpartum moms is a godsend.
So something to think about asyou're creating that registry or
(11:53):
if people are asking how theycan help, then you can tell them
you can contribute to ahousekeeper or you can come over
and mop my floors for me.
Okay, I am going to talk abouttwo products that I do recommend
for postpartum.
The first one is a caddy or alittle basket that has separate
compartments in it.
(12:13):
So you can have a a nursingstation, a diaper station, you
have everything you need rightthere with you.
And I recommend if you're goingto have multiple baby stations
around the house and havemultiple caddies.
So you are not thinking, Oh, Ineed to change a diaper.
I need to walk across the houseto find diapers and cream and
(12:35):
all of the things, or I need tosit down and breastfeed.
Oh, I forgot my phone charger.
I forgot a snack for me.
You have those stashed away Andall of the areas that you might
see yourself sitting or resting.
So something that can be veryhelpful or one that has a handle
that you can just easily carrywith you.
The next product that I feel iscrucial for postpartum is a baby
(12:57):
carrier.
So it's ideal if you can havelike a baby wrap, a soft wrap,
or a ring sling.
And then maybe also a...
Soft structured carrier as well.
There's so many brands outthere, so much information on
baby carriers, but my favoriteresource is Cassidy from let's
talk baby wearing.
And I had her on the podcast onthe safety of baby wearing and
(13:20):
all of the things you might wantto know on episode 31.
So definitely listen to that.
Follow her on Instagram.
She has a ton of tutorials onpretty much every single carrier
you can imagine.
Um, and so she is an excellentone to.
Watch and listen and to makeyour decision on which carrier
you choose.
Having your baby in a wrap onyou is one of the best things to
(13:44):
promote bonding, breastfeeding,skin to skin time, tummy time,
all of the things.
And also if you are wary of lotsof visitors coming over, if
you're allowing them in yourhouse, but you don't
necessarily, you're not readyto.
Let everyone hold your baby,having them in a wrap on you
before the guests come over is areally good way to kind of keep
(14:06):
them close and show them off,but not pass them around the
room.
Really, I could go into a lotmore products, a lot more
information on postpartum, butreally the main point I want to
drive home is that you need totrust in yourself and in your
own knowledge of your body andyour baby.
It can be a learning curve, butyour mama gut is there for a
(14:28):
reason, so please listen to it.
And it's also important toRecognize if there's voices that
are causing you to doubtyourself.
So taking a break from theoverwhelming amount of opinions
and advice, including all of thefun mom, Instagram accounts, or,
um, the groups that you're in onFacebook, those can actually be
(14:50):
detrimental if you are.
listening more to them than toyour own body and intuition.
So, feel free to unfollow.
This is your permission that youdidn't really need to unfollow
or limit your time or say no tohaving that person over to your
house who always just gives youinformation unfollow.
(15:13):
Mute anything that doesn'tthoughtfully encourage and
support you.
Please don't hesitate to ask forhelp when you need it, and know
that being aware of all of youroptions and all of the support
that's available to you isempowering.
choose to make a consciouseffort to rest during this
sacred time.
Postpartum, your future self andyour children will thank you.
(15:37):
That's it for this episode.
I want to remind you all of theresources I mentioned today and
more are part of a larger listthat is a live document, meaning
I update it all the time, I'madding new recommendations and
resources to it, so you canfollow the link in the show
notes, or you can just go toresourcedoula.
com forward slash resources.
(15:59):
And please remember that all ofthis is just suggestions and not
medical advice.
Thanks so much for listening.
If you're enjoying this miniseries or you just enjoy the
resource doula podcast as awhole, I would so appreciate a
five star review in yourfavorite podcast app.
It really does help other peoplefind the show.
Thank you so much for listening.
(16:20):
I'll catch you next time.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the abundance of
resources out there when itcomes to pregnancy, birth,
postpartum, and parenting?
Trust me, you're not alone.
In this age of informationoverload, it's easy to get lost
in the sea of options and end upnot taking action at all.
I'm Natalie, and you'relistening to the Resource Duo
Podcast.
Join me on this mini seriesdesigned to help simplify this.
(00:22):
journey.
In each episode, I'll go throughmy favorite resources for a
specific category, making iteasier than ever to find the
information you need and leavebehind what doesn't resonate
with you.
Our approach here is all aboutembracing a holistic, natural,
and non toxic lifestyle.
Let's get started.
Today, we're talking about myfavorite resources for the
(00:44):
postpartum period.
Postpartum is such a significanttime of change, adaptation,
bonding.
It can also be a stressful,sleepless, and emotional time.
I would encourage you, if youare pregnant or hope to be soon,
spend some time thinking throughwhat you want the first eight
weeks postpartum to look like.
(01:04):
If you're already postpartum, Iwould also encourage you to
prioritize rest moving forward.
And if you're beyond postpartum,consider how you might encourage
or provide care or meals or restfor a new mom that you know.
There's something that needs tobe said before we dive into all
of my favorite resources andthat.
(01:25):
Is that the absolute, mostimportant thing is that your
mental health is taken care ofand postpartum support
international.
Is an excellent resource forthis.
They have a crisis hotline.
They have a bunch of onlinesupport groups and lots of
resources on maternal andpaternal mental health.
As well as a directory where youcan find a local professional a
(01:48):
therapist.
So if you are struggling or evenjust feel slightly off, please
seek out, help.
Or if you know, someone whocould use some support, reach
out, be there for them, sendthem resources.
The more we talk about it, theless taboo it becomes and the
more moms who get help sooner.
(02:09):
I wrote an article on the threesteps to prepare a nourishing
postpartum recovery plan and itgoes into depth about building
your support network,prioritizing resting and how you
can do that and returning tonormal life slowly with some
specific exerciserecommendations.
So I will link that in the shownotes, but I'm going to talk
about each of those things aswell.
(02:30):
So what I consider to beessentials for postpartum and
after you've had your baby isreally different than.
And the list of the right carseat or the right pacifier or
the right bottle or all of thoseproducts are really
individualized and depend onwhat you and your baby are
comfortable with.
(02:51):
So I'm going to talk about moreof the support aspect of
postpartum than I am actualproducts.
So the first thing that Iconsider to be essential is
setting up a support network anda postpartum plan.
Now if you've heard about abirth plan, you're kind of
familiar with the idea of havinga game plan for how the day is
(03:12):
going to go.
I would argue that a postpartumplan is...
Significantly more importantthan a birth plan, which I'm a
fan of birth plans to don't getme wrong but a postpartum plan
can give you the informationthat you need and Help you to
feel empowered and when you'rein that sleep deprived state,
you don't have to set boundariesYou don't have to tell people
(03:34):
what to do.
It's already written out fromwhen you were pregnant.
So there is a free Line in planon earth mama angel baby site.
I will link to that.
It's a really good place tostart It goes over like okay who
is gonna help you do thesespecific chores?
When you are nursing your babywhen you are feeding your baby
(03:54):
Who is going to help you takecare of your pets and your
animals when you are at thebirth place wherever you are It
also talks about Who is going tobuy groceries what your food
train is going to look like yourmeal train things like that So
it gets really specific andhelps you think about all of the
details that you might notConsider if you've never had a
(04:16):
baby before so highly recommendstarting there I would also
think about your food planputting together Freezer meals,
having a baby shower gift fromeverybody instead of baby
products, especially if it's asecond or third or subsequent
child, is having them just bringa fresh meal and or a freezer
(04:40):
meal, things like that, or Havea food preparation party where
everyone comes over and helpsyou to make freezer meals.
,There's a really great list oflike over 50 meals that I
recommend to everyone off ofLily Nichols site.
I used a lot of those recipeswhen I did my surgery prep.
Highly recommend delicious,nutritious, all of the things.
(05:02):
I will link that in the shownotes for you.
And there's also freezing tipson how Um, specifically to
freeze food and how to get themost bang for your buck another
couple essential things to thinkabout for the postpartum period
when you're planning.
If you're there now are yourboundaries with family and
friends.
Um, when you're going to havepeople come visit, are you going
(05:22):
to have people come visit?
When they come visit, are theyallowed to hold the baby?
Are they going to do chores foryou?
What is going to be their role?
How long are they going to stay?
Are you going to allow them tokiss the baby, touch the baby,
feed the baby?
All of those questions areimportant to think about prior
to, so you're not caught in amoment where it leaves you
feeling pressured one way or theother.
(05:44):
That also goes intocommunication.
So if you can communicatereally, really well with your
family and friends prior to thebirth of your baby or babies,
then they know theirexpectations.
They know your expectations andyou can have conversations prior
to, so it doesn't become anissue when you establish your
postpartum visiting guidelines,um, when you do.
(06:07):
give birth.
Another essential thing topostpartum is movement.
It doesn't have to be exercise.
I encourage just general gentlemovement in the first few weeks.
And I have an entire article onwhat I recommend, uh,
specifically week by week forpostpartum.
There is a plan, uh, that I dorecommend, but just getting out
(06:28):
for some gentle walks in thefirst.
Maybe week two or week three,starting to do your
diaphragmatic breathing thefirst week, starting to do some
gentle strengthening.
Reconnecting your brain withyour core and your pelvic floor
are incredibly important, andstudies have shown that exercise
(06:48):
during the postpartum perioddramatically reduces your
chances for anxiety, depression,or it can just help.
alleviate some of thosesymptoms.
Um, so movement is essential.
To go along with the movementpiece, I would recommend you see
a pelvic PT if you can.
within your means, within yournetwork, insurance wise, cash
(07:12):
pay, whatever it may be, if youcan get to a pelvic PT, I do
recommend booking it as early aspossible.
If you're still pregnant, bookit for eight weeks past your due
date.
And as long as you're on thebooks and you can move it
around, a lot of times qualitypelvic PT offices have a long
wait list.
So it's really beneficial if youcan get on there earlier.
(07:34):
If not, try to see them afterthat six week.
appointment when you are clearedfor an internal exam, if that's
something you wish to have, theycan really help you and set you
up for success on yourpostpartum recovery journey.
Now I want to talk about books.
I've already mentioned both ofthese books in the previous two
(07:54):
episodes of this mini series.
The first one is called thefirst 40 days by Heng Wu.
It's a traditional Perspectiveof resting for the first 40 days
after giving birth.
Um, and it's really eye openingto how many cultures prioritize
rest and mothering the motherand how much we in the U S I'm
(08:15):
speaking for myself as, as U Sresident, um, Um, we don't honor
that time and we are givingaccolades to people who get up a
couple weeks after giving birthand go back to the gym or go and
do their normal thing and rusharound and get out of the house
as much as possible.
(08:36):
But really the first 40 dayssets you up for the next 40
years.
So you can establish thatpostpartum plan ahead of time.
Prioritize rest, eat yournourishing foods.
Then you're going to feel somuch better.
You're going to do so muchbetter, not only physically, but
mentally as well.
So highly, highly recommend thatbook.
(08:57):
And then you already know, I'mgoing to recommend Real Food for
Pregnancy by Lily Nichols.
I can't stop talking about it.
It is essential forpreconception, pregnancy,
postpartum and beyond as well.
So I will link to those in theshow notes.
Something else that I recommendas a resource during the
postpartum period is people andprofessionals.
(09:19):
So if you are choosing tobreastfeed, if you would like to
breastfeed, ideally you meetwith an IBCLC, so an
Internationally Board Certifiedlactation consultant, um, prior
to giving birth, right after yougive birth, having a, have a
relationship with them, have anestablished connection with
them.
So you have somebody to call orreference or ask questions when
(09:42):
you are struggling.
If you are struggling,breastfeeding is hard and it's a
challenge and it's oftentimeskind of considered something
that's natural, so it should beeasy, right?
But if you are curious aboutbreastfeeding and how you can
make it easier on yourself,highly recommend taking a
breastfeeding class, meetingwith an IBCLC, and establishing
(10:04):
kind of your boundaries aroundthat and who in your life and
who in your home can supportyour breastfeeding endeavors.
Kelly Mom is a really excellentsite for evidence based
Breastfeeding information.
I also did a podcast episode.
It was episode number four, soyou have to scroll way back
there with two of my favoriteIBCLCs on what you might not
(10:26):
know about breastfeeding, andthat one's a really excellent
episode, and it's really fun,too.
Um, another person that I wouldrecommend is, In the postpartum
period is a doula, a postpartumdoula, or somebody who can act
such as one.
So postpartum doulas, they cancome in, they can do your
laundry, they can do yourdishes, they can help you
(10:47):
process your birth.
They can help you figure outyour boundaries.
They can take care of your babywhile you nap, while you shower.
It's just having an extra set ofhands, especially if you don't
have family.
close by who, or friends who youtrust to come over and help you
out in your home during thattime, then a postpartum doula is
a really excellent idea.
(11:09):
And that's something that youcan put on your registry as a
fund, as a group fund, insteadof getting a hundred more baby
onesies.
If you don't have a postpartumdoula or friends or family, Um,
also having a fund on yourregistry or having people gift
you somebody who can come overand clean your house.
Do those chores that you do notneed to be doing immediately
(11:31):
postpartum, nor does anyone inyour immediate family.
If you're bonding as a family orif you have older kids who need
to be taken care of, if yourspouse is back to work, things
like that, then somebody who cancome over and clean the house.
and has no judgment forpostpartum moms is a godsend.
So something to think about asyou're creating that registry or
(11:53):
if people are asking how theycan help, then you can tell them
you can contribute to ahousekeeper or you can come over
and mop my floors for me.
Okay, I am going to talk abouttwo products that I do recommend
for postpartum.
The first one is a caddy or alittle basket that has separate
compartments in it.
(12:13):
So you can have a a nursingstation, a diaper station, you
have everything you need rightthere with you.
And I recommend if you're goingto have multiple baby stations
around the house and havemultiple caddies.
So you are not thinking, Oh, Ineed to change a diaper.
I need to walk across the houseto find diapers and cream and
(12:35):
all of the things, or I need tosit down and breastfeed.
Oh, I forgot my phone charger.
I forgot a snack for me.
You have those stashed away Andall of the areas that you might
see yourself sitting or resting.
So something that can be veryhelpful or one that has a handle
that you can just easily carrywith you.
The next product that I feel iscrucial for postpartum is a baby
(12:57):
carrier.
So it's ideal if you can havelike a baby wrap, a soft wrap,
or a ring sling.
And then maybe also a...
Soft structured carrier as well.
There's so many brands outthere, so much information on
baby carriers, but my favoriteresource is Cassidy from let's
talk baby wearing.
And I had her on the podcast onthe safety of baby wearing and
(13:20):
all of the things you might wantto know on episode 31.
So definitely listen to that.
Follow her on Instagram.
She has a ton of tutorials onpretty much every single carrier
you can imagine.
Um, and so she is an excellentone to.
Watch and listen and to makeyour decision on which carrier
you choose.
Having your baby in a wrap onyou is one of the best things to
(13:44):
promote bonding, breastfeeding,skin to skin time, tummy time,
all of the things.
And also if you are wary of lotsof visitors coming over, if
you're allowing them in yourhouse, but you don't
necessarily, you're not readyto.
Let everyone hold your baby,having them in a wrap on you
before the guests come over is areally good way to kind of keep
(14:06):
them close and show them off,but not pass them around the
room.
Really, I could go into a lotmore products, a lot more
information on postpartum, butreally the main point I want to
drive home is that you need totrust in yourself and in your
own knowledge of your body andyour baby.
It can be a learning curve, butyour mama gut is there for a
(14:28):
reason, so please listen to it.
And it's also important toRecognize if there's voices that
are causing you to doubtyourself.
So taking a break from theoverwhelming amount of opinions
and advice, including all of thefun mom, Instagram accounts, or,
um, the groups that you're in onFacebook, those can actually be
(14:50):
detrimental if you are.
listening more to them than toyour own body and intuition.
So, feel free to unfollow.
This is your permission that youdidn't really need to unfollow
or limit your time or say no tohaving that person over to your
house who always just gives youinformation unfollow.
(15:13):
Mute anything that doesn'tthoughtfully encourage and
support you.
Please don't hesitate to ask forhelp when you need it, and know
that being aware of all of youroptions and all of the support
that's available to you isempowering.
choose to make a consciouseffort to rest during this
sacred time.
Postpartum, your future self andyour children will thank you.
(15:37):
That's it for this episode.
I want to remind you all of theresources I mentioned today and
more are part of a larger listthat is a live document, meaning
I update it all the time, I'madding new recommendations and
resources to it, so you canfollow the link in the show
notes, or you can just go toresourcedoula.
com forward slash resources.
(15:59):
And please remember that all ofthis is just suggestions and not
medical advice.
Thanks so much for listening.
If you're enjoying this miniseries or you just enjoy the
resource doula podcast as awhole, I would so appreciate a
five star review in yourfavorite podcast app.
It really does help other peoplefind the show.
Thank you so much for listening.
(16:20):
I'll catch you next time.
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