The postnatal period begins after the baby is born and ends when the mother’s body is almost back to its pre-pregnancy state. This period normally lasts six to eight weeks.
During the postnatal period, a woman experiences many emotional and physical changes as she learns to deal with all the changes and adjustments needed to become a new mother. Generally, all maternity hospitals offer the best maternal and child health care programs which include newborn screening, child nutrition and immunization, and postnatal care for mothers. You can navigate to jacarandamaternity.co.ke/postnatal-care-and-family-planning for availing postnatal care.
The following suggestions may help you know why giving a new mother a rest or good sleep is effective in the postnatal period:
1. In the first few weeks, the mother should be relieved from all duties apart from feeding the baby and taking care of herself.
2. She sleeps when the baby is sleeping. A family must take care that she takes proper sleep.
3. Many new parents enjoy visiting friends and family, but new moms shouldn’t feel obliged to have fun. Don’t hesitate to apologize for taking a nap or feeding your baby.
4. Take a few minutes outside each day. You can start walking and exercising after delivery as recommended by your doctor.
5. Introduce night bottles for babies after the first two to three weeks. That way, other people can feed the baby and you can sleep for a longer period.
Conclusion: What your body needs more after giving birth is physical and mental rest to maximize your recovery, have others around you cook and clean for you, and let other people look after your baby throughout the day to let you rest as much as possible.