4 Ways to Prepare for Postpartum

Written By amber lloyd

We all spend lots of time and energy planning, preparing, envisioning and learning about birth. But what about postpartum?

Postpartum planning doesn’t have to be grandiose, because lets be real— we don’t know exactly what it will be like. But we can plan for the foundations of a positive postpartum experience. What are the foundations? Nourishment, rest, support and a protected space.

  1. Build Your Team

    Here is where support comes in. Create a plan for people who will show up for you. (Not just hold your baby) Friends, family, a postpartum doula, community members from your church or other groups. Decide what their role will be. Some may help with older kids and take the dog for a walk, while others you trust to watch baby while you shower or rest. Have numbers for a lactation consultant and other providers you might need help from saved in your phone so it’s already there when you really need it.

  2. Set Boundaries

    This is the second layer to planning support and part of your protected space. Let family and friends know about your plans and what your boundaries are. This can feel difficult, but it is easier to set expectations beforehand. You might have to let your well-meaning aunt know she can’t come visit immediately after you get home! Remember; having a laying in period and prioritizing rest, bonding, breastfeeding and your new family is sort of against the grain in today’s world. So let your circle know your expectations. Consider: who can come to visit and when? for how long? Think to yourself who do I feel comfortable having in my home when I’m breastfeeding in my adult diaper. ;)

  3. Create Your Nest

    Your bedroom will become your postpartum sanctuary. So spend some time creating your special place. Remember, we are staying in bed for the first 5 days, and around the bed for the next 5! Make it warm, cozy, and prepared for your laying in period. Create a postpartum cart or basket at your bedside stocked with snacks, baby supplies, and your favorite book. Have things that promote warmth accessible like fuzzy socks, a heating pad or a rice pack. Add a lamp for those middle-of-the-night feeds. Preparing your bathroom with depends, peri bottle, herbs, and other healing supplies like my favorite peri spray makes things just a little bit easier when recovering.

  4. Plan for Nourishment

    What you eat postpartum is SO important! Your body is needing replenishment after all the hard work it’s done to grow and birth your baby. Your digestion also slows down after birth. Avoid the postpartum poop scaries by focusing on warm, slow cooked, easy to digest foods. Think stewed fruits, congee, slow cooked oats, curries and soups. This is not the time for raw veggies, salads and smoothies. Your body needs to focus less on digestion and more on healing. Stock your pantry with postpartum meal essentials like broth, ghee, oats, warming spices, dates, grains and root vegetables. Use this handy Postpartum Pantry List. Double batch your meals at the end of pregnancy to stock your freezer or order high quality, postpartum focused meals to be delivered to your door from Restorative Roots (use code SACRED NEST to save)

BONUS: Use my postpartum planning workbook to explore more ideas to support a sacred and slow postpartum

Need more support? I offer in home postpartum support to Northern Utah and Southern Idaho.

amber lloyd