Your doctor is your direct source of reliable information about your pregnancy and well-being. He keeps you updated on how your baby is doing inside the womb and when you can expect them to arrive. He also advises you on your lifestyle, including your dietary habits, exercising, and sleeping patterns.
The job of the doctor usually ends after you have given birth. Taking care of mother is considered her and her family’s responsibility thereafter. Not many obstetricians advise the new mother on the crucial things that she needs to know after her baby is in her arms.
Here is a list of 5 crucial things that the doctors don’t mention, but you must know as a new mom.
1. Caring For The Baby
Babies aren’t born with manuals for parents. Yes, the parental care comes instinctively yet many parents aren’t aware of the standard guidelines for child care. The National Institute of Health conducted a survey, which found that many parents didn’t receive any recommendation from their doctors on newborn care. Out of 1000 mothers involved in the study, 20% of them didn’t receive any essential advice for sleeping position or breastfeeding methods.1
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has highlighted the risk factors involved in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), it is surprising that doctors don’t pass the right information to parents after birth.2
2. Continuing DHA (Omega-3 Fatty Acid) Intake After Birth
If you were on Omega-3 supplements during pregnancy as per your doctor’s advice, probably, the doctor skipped mentioning its importance after you gave birth.
There are two benefits of consuming DHA either through diet or as supplements.
1. It positively affects a mother’s psychological health by preventing the risk of postpartum depression.3 It is good for the mother’s heart and brain health as well.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids also help in the development of baby’s brain. In a study, it was found that babies of mothers who consumed DHA scored better in attention tests till 6 months of age.
Mothers who continue consume a diet rich in Omega-3 provide a good amount of DHA to their babies through breast milk, which is good for their brain development.4
3. Dealing With Stress
Motherhood demands a lot from a woman—stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep is common soon after you become a mother. Caring for your baby can take a toll on your body—however, your doctor neither advises you on it nor prepare you for it.
Moms, try inculcating all the good things in your life to relieve stress—listen to music, practice meditation, indulge in regular exercising and yoga, be around positive people and keep yourself busy with activities like gardening or baking to distract your mind.
4. Eating Right
Your doctors emphasize on right food habits during pregnancy and keep reminding you to add essential nutrients to your diet. However, moms might often overlook balanced eating after giving birth, probably while trying to lose the extra pounds they gained during pregnancy.
You must know that you are breastfeeding your baby—your body needs the right amount of nutrition to keep up the supply of breastmilk for your baby. Eat frequently and healthily—make sure you have 3 meals a day with snacks in between.
5. Asking For Support
What doctors emphasize upon physical well-being. An equal attention is needed for the mental and emotional well-being of a mother when she is adjusting to a new phase in life with a baby to take care of.
Mothers must not flinch to ask for help—you need not prove anyone that you are self-sufficient and can do everything by yourself. Seek support from friends and family to help you take care of the baby. Ask your family to visit you for some time or employ a helper at home. Being a new mom is exhausting, but you will only make it worse if you don’t relax and keep carrying your stress and exhaustion.
Your doctor will give you a word of suggestion to take care of your and your baby’s health. Remembering these points might help you after you have become a mother.
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