New mums: the first weeks
After the birth: what new mothers can expect
If you had your baby in a hospital, you and your baby will probably stay in hospital for at least 24 hours.
If you are both well enough, you might be encouraged to go home earlier. If you want to go earlier or stay longer, or you are not sure, it is okay to talk with your doctor.
Your hospital stay might be longer if you have a medical condition, your baby needs extra care or your labour or birth was assisted – for example, it was a forceps birth or caesarean birth. In these situations you might stay in hospital for 2-5 days.
If your baby was born prematurely, he will probably need to stay in hospital for longer in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or the special care nursery (SCN).
Before you leave hospital
It helps to know about your recovery and how to get support in your first weeks at home with your baby. Before you leave hospital you or your partner might like to ask:
- who to contact for breastfeeding support
- where to go for your six-week check-up
- whether you can drive or lift and carry heavy things
- when and where to have your stitches taken out (if you have them)
- whether the hospital has a lactation consultant or women’s health physiotherapist and how to contact these professionals.
You can also ask about caring for your new baby. For example, it is good to know things like:
- how many feeds your newborn might need and how long feeds might take
- how to recognise your baby’s cues for comfort and feeding
- who to call if you or your baby is sick
- how to contact your home visiting nurse and how the nurse can help you.
Your doctor will give you this information as part of your care.
It is a good idea to ask friends or family members for help with practical jobs like washing baby clothes, buying nappies and filling your fridge and pantry with healthy foods.
Your feelings in the first week after birth
Whether you have given birth at home or in hospital, your body has been through a lot. The good news is that you will start to heal, and you can usually manage pain and discomfort.
Most women will feel tired and overwhelmed soon after giving birth. You might also feel relief, happiness, fear and joy. You might feel teary and anxious 3-5 days after birth.
It can really help to keep talking to your partner about how you are feeling. This helps both of you to be aware of any changes in mood and how long the changes go on for.
You will probably start to feel like yourself again in a week or two. If the feelings of mild depression do not go away, it is important to seek help. For one in every seven women, these feelings become postnatal depression. When women get help early, they usually recover fully from postnatal depression.
Home visits from a nurse
A health nurse will usually visit you at home in the week after you leave the hospital. They will check on you and your baby, and answer your questions. Some new mothers also choose to see a private lactation consultant.
Learning to breastfeed
Breastfeeding can sometimes be tricky for new mothers, but finding a breastfeeding technique that works for you and your baby can make all the difference. It can help to have as much skin-to-skin contact as possible and to keep your baby close to you in the early hours and days.
It is normal for it to take several weeks to breastfeed confidently.
If you have any problems with breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or nurse.
Learning about baby care
If you are a first-time mother, there is a lot for you to learn about caring for your new baby. For example, you will probably need to learn about:
- breastfeeding
- changing disposable or cloth nappies
- bathing your baby
- finding a newborn routine
- safe sleeping for babies.
Taking it easy
Sometimes a good day will be just feeding and comforting your baby, getting out of your night clothes and having a shower. This is totally fine. Try to rest whenever you can, and give yourself time to get to know your baby.
It is also good to have someone you trust to support you for the first few days – for example, your partner, a family member or a friend. If you are not a first-time mother, it is still good to have support, especially if you have other children to look after.
Eating and drinking
Some days it can be hard to make time to cook a healthy meal, even though you know healthy eating and drinking is important. If friends and family offer to cook meals for you, accept them. You can also buy prepared meals, soups and salads for the days when time is short.
Visitors
Family and friends will be excited to see you and your baby. They will want to visit you at home.
It is okay for you to say how and when you would like visitors. For example, you can say no to visitors who are unwell. And it is important for your other children and close family members to be up to date with immunisations before meeting the baby.
Some new mums give the job of managing visitors to their partners or a trusted friend. For example, they might ask family and friends to come two at a time or to wait a few days before visiting.
It can help to put a ‘do not disturb’ sign on your front door, use voicemail and switch your mobile phone to silent.
Other parents can be a great source of help and support. If you join a local or online mothers group, you can share ideas and experiences with other new mothers.
