Birth With Hope

Hope for Women, Babies, and Birth

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Postpartum Instructions
 
For Mother
  • Eat protein meals (mainly from raw veges sources) for 2,200-2,500 cal. per day
  • Foods with cinnamon help to decrease postpartum bleeding (cinnamon toast)
  • Apricot Nectar (pure nectar, not juice) decreases postpartum bleeding
  • Eat Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel bread every day for the first week
  • Drink 8 oz water with each breastfeed
  • Use herbal sitz baths for soaking a sore bottom (for two weeks)
  • Urinate often to prevent excess bleeding from the uterus
  • Sitz herbs can be purchased at:
  • Sleep on your stomach to compress the uterus and decrease bleeding
  • Wear a girdle or taut postpartum www.babooshbaby.com
  • Use Breastfeeding pillows to assist you with proper positioning
  • Breastfeed every 2 hours during the first few days to prevent engorgement
  • Use frozen cabbage leaf on breast if engorgement occurs (use after nursing)
  • Use heat on breast (hot packs, hot shower) before nursing if engorged. 
  • Rest as much as possible. 
  • Do not pick up anything which is heavier than your baby for 8 weeks.
  • Continue to take prenatal vitamins.
  • Take B-complex vitamins to prevent baby blues
  • Take Alfalfa which will give your baby extra vitamin K
  • Take chlorophyll which will prevent anemia during postpartum bleeding
  • Take oral Vit K (liquid) www.birthwithlove.com  while breastfeeding
  • Take chelated iron tablets for three months postpartum
  • Drink Organic Mother's Milk  www.traditionalmedicinals.com
  • Do not use tampons during your postpartum time
  • No sexual relations until postpartum bleeding has stopped
  • I do not recommend hormonal uses of birth control while breastfeeding.
  • Lea's Shield--barrier method www.LeasShield.com  (use after 8 weeks postpartum)
  • Condoms may be used (no sexual relations until bleeding has stopped)
  • 'Taking Charge of your Fertility' by Toni Weschler (book)
  • www.ovusoft.com and www.fertilityfriend.com fertility charting software. 
  • Read Dr. Jack Newman's book 'Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers'
  • If you need a breast pump: www.medela.com or www.evenflo.com

 

For Baby

  • Breastfeed every 2 hrs. during the first several days postpartum
  • Poop will change from black meconium to green to yellow seedy stools
  • There should be 2-3 poops per day
  • Baby should urinate 5 times in a 24 hour time frame
  • Change diapers often to prevent diaper rash
  • Keep baby warm at 97.6-98.7
  • Keep a hat on baby for the first few days to keep the baby warm
  • Wrap in several blankets to keep warm
  • Take baby's temperature twice per day for the first several days
  • Put Wishgarden powdered cord care herbs on cord at least three times per day
  • Isopropyl Alcohol can be used on the cord instead of herbs; use every diaper change
  • Use Vit K oral drops at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks www.birthwithlove.com
  • Take baby to Pediatrician for check up within the first 4 days after birth
  • Take baby to Pediatrician for periodic weight checks and for PKU test
  • Sun light for ten minutes, three times daily, for the first three weeks