From a newborn nanny and mama.
Preparing for the fourth trimester is just as important as preparing for birth. It can save you feeling stressed, exhausted, anxious and barely having a moment to yourself. I recommend investing some time in implementing these suggestions and you will be able to truly enjoy your newborn bubble blissfully.
Tip no 1: Create Your Village
Consuming healthy postpartum foods is incredibly important for a healing mama, especially if she is also breastfeeding her newborn. Yet the last thing on your mind is going to meal planning so I encourage you take care of the meal planning beforehand. You can set up a meal service, if you can afford that, like a (postpartum) doula. A cheaper option is setting up a meal train (link). A meal train is where friends and family provide meals you’ve selected on certain days of the week. If you don’t feel comfortable having others cook for you, you can always stock up your freezer with pre-made healthy postpartum foods. You would want to have enough warm meals in there for 2 to 4 weeks.
Cleaning your home is also not going to be high on your priorities list. Your birth partner might be able to do some light household duties here and there, but I truly recommend getting some help. The easiest way to keep your home properly clean is by hiring a cleaning service once a week. I suggest having the cleaners come by a few weeks before your baby’s estimated due date. This way you can check if you feel comfortable having them around in your sacred postpartum space.
If you can’t afford a cleaning service you might be able to ask your parents, other family members or a best friend to do some household duties around your home for the first 2 to 4 weeks. You can have a list with all the urgent household duties on the fridge, like washing the sheets, cleaning the bathroom, doing the dishes, folding the laundry, walking the dog etc.
Lastly, I recommend researching a few postpartum resources and setting aside a budget for them. A few examples of postpartum services you might need are:
Lactation consultant
Women’s health physiotherapist (pelvic floor)
Chiropractor (for mama and baby)
Mental health support (PANDA)
Parents support (free hotline)
Tip no 2: Rest & Recover
Resting doesn’t come naturally to most of us these days. There is so much to do and achieve that sitting down can feel like a waste of time. I cannot stress enough how important it is to slow down after giving birth to your baby. Your body needs time to heal. This is why it is so beneficial to create your village beforehand so you can start your postpartum journey supported, nourished and rested. This will translate into feeling calmer and more centred in new motherhood. Imagine how wonderful it will be to lie down in your comfortable bed and every once in a while you look down at your newborn baby sleeping peacefully with or on you. What a beautiful way to bond with your baby and let your body heal at the same time.
Tip no 3: Knowledge Is Power
I highly encourage you to read, watch or listen to information about the fourth trimester. For example, research postpartum brain and body changes, breastfeeding/bottle feeding and normal newborn behaviour. Also, if this is your first baby, practice changing a nappy on a doll, a stuffed animal or a pet and figure out how to work the car seat, the pram and the baby carrier. Plus have a discussion with your birth partner about what your expectations and wishes are in the fourth trimester. Knowledge is power, by acquiring information and having discussions beforehand you and your birth partner can create a more peaceful postpartum period.
Honour yourself, your baby and your family and prepare for your sacred postpartum period so you can start this beautiful journey nourished, rested and centred.
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