Help When You Get Home (After having a baby)

Nutrition

Good nutrition for mom is critical during the postpartum period. If you are breastfeeding, you need approximately 500 extra healthy calories each day. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids-at least 8 glasses of water daily. Continue to take your vitamins as ordered by your doctor.

For further guidance, please refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) MyPlate guidelines. 

Mom’s Rest/ Sleep/ Exercise

One of the biggest challenges for new parents is lack of sleep. You should try to take naps when your baby is napping. Housework can wait! Find a support system that can help you with daily tasks such as laundry, shopping, meals, and household chores. Light exercise is important in the postpartum period, such as walking. Walking can improve your mood and help the body recover. Also, NO heavy lifting for 4 weeks with a vaginal delivery and No Lifting for 6 weeks with a cesarean birth.

Bringing a Newborn Home: A New Parent Checklist

ABC’s of Safe Sleep

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death among infants after the first month of age.

Remember the ABC’s of safe sleep.

  • ALONE. Baby should always be put to bed alone. Not in a bed with other adults, other children, or anything else. 
  • BACK. Baby should always be put down to sleep on his/her BACK.
  • CRIB . Baby should sleep in a safe crib.

Visitors in your Home:

Bringing home a baby is exciting not just for you and your partner, but for your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Everyone will want to visit. Don’t let them. At least, not until you’re ready. And only on your terms. You’ve just been through a physically traumatic event, and no doubt you’re exhausted. For the first few days, you may want to bond, be alone-just you and your newly expanded family. That’s fine. When you do decide to open your doors, keep visits short—maybe half an hour—and confined to one room. Neither you nor your partner need to be cleaning the whole house right now. And don’t worry about looking like a million dollars. You’ve just had a baby! And besides, they’re not coming to look at you anyway. Don’t be shy about asking visitors to wear a mask and to thoroughly wash their hands if they plan on picking up the little one. Babies are prone to infections, so be strict about the health protocols you want. Consider getting people to text before they arrive so that you have no surprises. Do whatever you have to do to make visiting time happen on your schedule and in a way that doesn’t add any more stress to your life. After that, soak up the oohs and aahs and other assorted compliments that are sure to come your way. You deserve them all.

Breastfeeding

Having a baby is exciting and challenging especially if you have never breastfed before. Please read over our Breastfeeding on the Road to Success pamphlet to learn all about what to expect the first couple of weeks. Please also visit: 

Baby Blue/ Postpartum Depression:

Transitioning to motherhood can trigger an array of emotions. Some new mothers may experience Baby Blues or Postpartum Depression. Please click the following links for more information and local help information.

Breastfeeding for Working Moms: 5 Tips to Guide You

Get Help for Postpartum Depression

ADDICTION

*Smoking

Children who live in a home where people smoke have an increased risk of asthma, ear infections, pneumonia, and various other health related conditions. Consult your MD to discuss smoking cessation. Plan a “Quit Date” and prepare for withdrawl symptoms (suck on hard candy, brush teeth after eating, and most important ask others for help).

*Eat, Sleep, Console Program

If your baby was exposed to drugs like opiates while you were pregnant, they may start to experience symptoms as soon as 24 to 48 hours after birth. We now have a new and different approach called Eat, Sleep, Console. 

To learn more, please visit https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-coast/locations/marianregional/services/maternity/eat-sleep-console

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Service

“SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline

A free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.”

 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Urination/ Bowel Movement/Perineal Care

Cleanse the vaginal area from front to back every time you pee or have a bowel movement. If it helps, continue to use the peri-bottle that you received at the hospital. After each bathroom use, change your pad. A warm sitz bath can deliver comfort and promote healing. Normal bowel movements should return around the 3rd or 4th day after delivery. If you experience constipation, try not to strain. Make sure you are getting plenty of water and eating high fiber foods(whole-grain cereals, brown rice, and beans, and fresh fruits and vegetables). If this does not relieve the constipation, your doctor may give you stool softeners. If you develop Hemorrhoids (veins in or around your anus that have become swollen) there are a number of ways to help relieve the discomfort. Try eating a high fiber diet, drink lots of water, stool softeners, do not sit on the toilet to long, use a pillow to sit on, get some light exercise, apply ice (20 minutes wrapped in a cloth), warm sitz bath, witch hazel, and over the counter hemorrhoid medications. Most instances of postpartum hemorrhoids will improve in days to week. If they do not, contact your doctor.

Caring for your Newborn:

Trimming Nails and Fingernails:

Trim your baby’s toenails and fingernails when they get too long. This will help if your baby is scratching their face. Use nail scissors specifically for babies. Do not cut too far down.

Cradle Cap:

Babies may have dry skin on their head. This is called Cradle Cap. It might resemble white or yellow dandruff, or crusty or oily scaly patches on a baby's scalp. 

Cradle Cap at-home Care

  1. Soften skin with mineral oil, petroleum jelly or baby oil.
  2. Gently wash and massage scalp with fragrance-free baby shampoo.
  3. Use soft bristle brush to loosen and remove scales.

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a common skin condition that can make a baby's skin red, sore, tender, and scaly. Make sure to promptly change your baby diaper when it becomes soiled with either pee or poop. Gently clean the area with soap and water and lightly pat dry. Creams and ointments containing zinc oxide are available for purchase over the counter. These creams help soothe and protect the skin. The ointment should put on in a thick layer at each diaper change. If possible, let your baby go without a diaper for a couple hours each day.