- 5457 Twin Knolls Rd. Suite #300
Columbia, MD 21045 - Call Us
443. 979.7550 - Open Hours
Monday - Friday: 7:00AM - 6:00PM (by appointment)
Support. Inviting over a close friend or doula sometime during the first weeks after birth to reflect on the birth experience; sharing the disappointments, the highs, and any other thoughts that are being held in.
Journal. Keeping a journal of emotions and thoughts beginning soon after returning home from the hospital or birth center. Feelings ranging from anxiety, rage, and fatigue, to joy, excitement, and euphoria are all listed. Sharing these notes with a provider, partner, or licensed therapist can be extremely helpful.
Meditation. Incorporating a meditation practice. Even if for only 5 minutes while showering, on the toilet, or during a nursing session. This quiet time can allow for releasing of judgments and a moment of stillness during a time that can seem overwhelmingly chaotic.
Care. Hiring a postpartum doula, requesting an older experienced mother from the community to come by, preparing freezer meals prenatally, planning for a cleaning service to stop in once in a while, can all help to insure a mama’s physical needs are met while also allowing for ample rest. Those who come during this time can help by holding baby as mama showers, light house-cleaning, assisting with getting breastfeeding off to a great start, and encouragement. Having this set up before birth creates a sense of confidence that there will be someone visiting during the early days home, that is there to solely serve mama. They aren’t there to “visit” the baby or ask prying questions about birth. Their role is to mother the mother.
Nourishment. Requesting a meal train at the baby shower. This hopefully means that anyone who comes to visit postpartum is bearing useful gifts.
Remedies. Embracing the use of teas and gentle self-care tools like witch hazel pads, soothing bottom sprays, nipple balms for moisture, uterine support wraps, and cooling or warming breast compresses; gently allowing the body to heal slowly without force.
Nursing Nook. Creating a special space for convenient nursing can really help a mother who chooses to breastfeed. Pre-staging it with snacks, water, a nursing pillow, footrest, phone charger, laptop, and anything else will help pass the time as mama and babe get the hang of nursing.
Boundaries. Setting up a strict timeframe where visitors are permitted to drop by (with permission that is). The goal of this is to allow unlimited time for mama, baby, and partner to bond. Unexpected interruptions and uninvited guests who overstay their welcome can place a burden on the mother to feel like she must be dressed and presentable, entertain them, or refrain from breastfeeding until they leave. A simple message on either the mama or partner’s Facebook page that says, “As mama and baby bond and navigate this early postpartum period, we’re asking friends and family to support us by visiting only during the hours of 1pm-3pm”, may help with unexpected interruptions.
Environment. Arranging the home with tranquil elements. A sweet friend who’s planning to stop by can grab a few seasonal stems from the farmer’s market and arranged them in a vase near the nursing nook. Allowing soothing melodies from a favorite playlist to play throughout the day can lift the spirits of a new mama. And finally, an aromatherapy diffuser with lavender or citrus essential oils will also help to emit serenity throughout the space.