Rest
You've gone through the marathon that is pregnancy, the life-changing event of birth, and now have this precious little baby who is dependent on you for everything. No wonder you're tired! The best thing you can do for yourself and for your baby is rest. Let others care for you as you care for your baby.
Nourishing food and drink
Warm, comforting foods are good for the body and the soul. Bone broth is rich in collagen and nutrients that are needed to rebuild after a pregnancy.
If family or friends offer to bring you a meal, accept it. This act of love can help shoulder the burden of some of the every day tasks that must continue, even when you feel like you don't have the energy (physically or mentally) to even get out of bed.
Hydration
You probably thought you were thirsty in pregnancy... welcome to postpartum. Hydration is so important for your healing, and is crucial if you are breastfeeding your baby. Hydration is more than just drinking water. Add some lemon, lime, a pinch of Himalayan salt, or our personal favorite - an LMNT electrolyte stick to your water to increase the hydrating properties.
Skin to skin
Skin-to-skin with our babies helps regulate their temperature and blood sugar, but they aren't the only ones who benefit. When we snuggle close to someone we love, when we are held, our body releases the hormone oxytocin - the love hormone. It's in this feeling of safety that our nervous system transitions from the fight or flight (sympathetic) system, to the rest and digest (parasympathetic) system, and that's where healing happens.
Herbal and Epsom salt baths
Baths are one of the simplest ways to bring calm to your body and encourage healing. Epsom salt is a mineral salt of magnesium sulfate that breaks down in the water and is helpful in reducing tension and pain; adding herbs to the bath reduces inflammation and promotes healing of the tissue.
Feel your feelings
Postpartum is a mixture of the highest highs, and some pretty surprising lows. Your hormones are on a rollercoaster from labor, birth, and finding balance in this new season. There's a big shift about 3 days after birth, so if you're crying just because you're tired (hello personal experience) there's a good chance that's why. And speaking of tired, this is a new level of exhaustion you didn't know was possible. It's absolutely normal for you to experience "baby blues" the first few days after birth, which may look like changes in mood, crying for what feels like no reason, even anxiety. But if those feelings are getting stronger, lasting longer, or you just feel like you're not yourself, this is the perfect time to seek support both from loved ones, and licensed professionals with specific training in perinatal mood disorders.
Get adjusted
Supporting your nervous system through chiropractic adjustments enables your body to adapt to all the changes in this transition into motherhood.
It may not always feel like it, but you are doing a great job!
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