As a new mom, being consistently, physically close to your baby is needed for bonding and to establish and maintain a sufficient milk supply. That said, there may be times that you need to be away from your little one. Time apart might be for work, weddings, date nights, health care visits, exercise, errands, or time for yourself. You may feel a range of feelings about separating from your baby. It is normal to feel anxious and sad about this time as well as excited and happy. Read more about how to prepare for separations from your baby.
Although the 4th trimester is generally considered to be the 12-week period after giving birth, the length varies between cultures. It can last anywhere from 9 days to 12 months. In the United States, the end of the 4th trimester is frequently marked by the 6-week postpartum check up. The visit is usually quick, leaving little time to talk to your provider about how you are feeling and what concerns you have. Depending on your particular childbirth experience, you may find 6-12 weeks is not enough for your needs. Let’s take a look at the challenges of the 4th trimester.
Given that persistent DRA is often blamed for postpartum concerns like low back pain, pelvic floor issues, and lingering frustrations with post-pregnancy body image, it’s no wonder that it has become one of the hottest topics in the postpartum-rehab world. Can we prevent it? Why does it resolve in some people and not in others? Can we restore core function after birth even if we have stubborn DRA? What core exercises or ab exercises can heal diastasis recti?
Let’s take a look at what we know about DRA, and what we can do to address it.
As mothers, we carry an enormous load for our families. But often, the physical, mental, and emotional burdens that we carry go unseen and underappreciated by most of the world. Instead of being celebrated for all that we’re doing, we’re often critiqued for all that we are not doing. Let's take a closer look at a self-compassion practice called “Compassionate Letter Writing” that is a tool to cultivate emotional strength and is rooted in an evidence-based approach to mental wellness.
Being a new parent can be an exciting, overwhelming, and stressful experience. All of the new changes including meeting your breastfeeding goals, taking care of your baby and making time for yourself can all be new stressors in your life. How does stress impact your breastfeeding experience? Find out from an Aeroflow Breastpumps IBCLC!
Motherhood is overwhelming. So it is completely normal and natural that instead of interpreting a partner’s physical touch as a time to connect, that we see physical intimacy as just another thing on our long list of to-dos-for-others. There are a number of ways to be able to honor feeling “touched-out” while still connecting with your partner in the hopes of kindling emotional intimacy…and maybe even just a little physical intimacy (when you’re ready, of course).
Childbirth is physically traumatic, even under the best circumstances. Talk to any mom you know, and you’ll find that going through postpartum recovery for the first time can come as a major shock. What if we knew more about what possibilities to expect and where to turn for support in our recovery? Would that knowledge make the whole experience less stressful and traumatic?
Most moms spend time preparing for birth and the newborn that comes with it. But what about our own recovery? We know the early weeks of postpartum recovery will be difficult, but are we really prepared for the long haul? Real moms share what they really wish they'd known about postpartum recovery before birth.
Most of us don’t know enough about the pelvic floor to decipher what pieces of advice & information are true, versus those that are not. Because this group of muscles is responsible for supporting our pelvic organs, stabilizing the pelvis & core, and is essential to our everyday lives, we pulled together the top myths heard by a Pelvic Floor Therapist and carefully debunked each one.
This content has been reviewed for accuracy by Jennifer Jordan, Director of Mom & Baby.
When new moms were surveyed, 90% said they would recommend other new moms spend more time preparing for their own recovery after giving birth. We hope to improve the postpartum experience by making sure moms have access to the best products and resources, like Lansinoh's new line of birth recovery products.
