By Admin 
Being new parents is surely an overwhelming and most precious experience, but one cannot deny the significant changes, adjustments, and challenges it entails. Especially during the early months, these major changes can become really taxing to cope with. That is when a strong postpartum support system comes to the rescue, providing both physical and emotional support during this period.
Below is a comprehensive guide on how to build a postpartum support system that helps you navigate through this transition smoothly. Follow the guide to feel supported, connected, and confident.
Why a Postpartum Support System Matters
The weeks after childbirth may appear just “getting used to a baby,” but honestly, it is much more. From physical recovery to emotional adjustments, from hormonal shifts to learning all the ‘mother hacks’ to care for an infant, the initial weeks are nothing less than a roller coaster ride.
It is often observed that when adequate postpartum support for new parents is missing, they may deal with scenarios such as slower recovery, finding it hard to bond with the baby, higher levels of stress, and, sometimes, this can lead to mood swings and disorders.
So, don’t wait anymore. If you are expecting parents, it is time to create your postpartum recovery support system before the situation gets all chaotic and overwhelming.
Step 1: Know your needs
The most successful strategy here is identifying the kind of support you both will likely have and when. Having these things arranged beforehand helps you avoid scrambling later in a hurry. We have discussed the main areas below where you may want to get support.
- Physical recovery: If you have had a cesarean delivery or are facing any birth-related injuries or fatigue, a helping hand for chores, errands, and meals would be nothing less than a blessing.
- Infant care and feeding: It is totally understandable to find it hard to deal with breastfeeding challenges or putting the newborn to sleep. With guided tips from a Doula or support system will come to your rescue.
- Emotional support: It is often noticed that new parents experience isolation, anxiety, or mood fluctuations. Such moments do call for someone whom you can rely on, talk to, and feel relaxed with.
- Household management: Would not it be much easier if you had someone to look after the cooking, cleaning, older siblings, or other stuff, while you can just recover and focus on the baby?
If you are able to identify these areas that will require support, you can map out the “who, what, when” of your support system. We always recommend planning well in advance, as last-minute scrambling most likely results in missing a lot of important stuff.
Step 2: Building a postpartum support system
So, when building emotional support after childbirth, ensure that it consists of people you trust. People who are there for you whenever you need them, and it covers both personal and professional support.
Personal Support
- Your partner or co-parent: No matter how good a professional postpartum support system you arrange, it is your partner who is going to be your biggest support. Before childbirth, align your current & future responsibilities with your partner. Be vocal and talk about every role and responsibility you both will have to embrace going forward.
- Family and friends: If you have a group of friends who drop off groceries, a cousin or sibling who can look after the older child (if any), a mother or mother-in-law who makes the chores easier, then you are already blessed with good personal support, you didn’t even know you needed.
- Parent groups/peer networks: Connecting with new parents helps you share and relate with them through your new parent journey. This is an invisible support that doesn’t make you feel lonely and provides valuable tips to help you in this journey.
Professional supports
- Healthcare providers: It is important to have a professional and experienced pediatrician, OBGYN, midwife, or physiotherapist. It will facilitate your medical recovery and keep the baby’s well-being in check.
- Lactation consultants or infant feeding experts: Some mothers find breastfeeding or bottle-feeding a challenging concept, which again is very normal. With expert guidance, make the process easier and let go of unwanted guilt, frustration, and stress.
- Postpartum doulas or newborn care specialists: Hiring a postpartum doula in New York will not only help you with the mother’s care but can also help with light household tasks and support you with baby bonding and recovery.
Step 3: Managing Common Postpartum Challenges
New parents often overlook their own emotional and mental needs and solely focus on the baby’s care. However, your well-being matters just as much, and will further help you take care of the newborn in much more effective ways.
Recognize the emotions
New parents happen to experience unexpected waves of emotion, fatigue, self-doubt, or even sadness in the early weeks of childbirth. They could vary from mild and transient to something more serious, like postpartum depression. Catching hold of these symptoms in the early stage can save you from a lot of mental stress.
Schedule “check-in” moments
It really gets important to have a trusted friend, relative, or partner to ask you time to time, “How are you really feeling?” Surrounding yourself with people who you feel heard rather than obligated to will have a positive impact on your overall well-being and postpartum recovery.
Step 4: Feel free to ask for professional help if needed
Another significant postpartum care tip for new parents is to seek professional support from a psychologist, counselor, or postpartum support worker. It is not a weakness but awareness. Get immediate professional help if you happen to feel persistently down, anxious, disconnected from your baby, or overwhelmed.
Step 5: Prioritize Self-Care as Non-Negotiable
New parents tend to dismiss “Self-care” while caring for their newborn naturally. This creates more challenges in their postpartum period that they don’t even realize. Thus, small and sustainable practices that keep you grounded and healthy should never be overlooked.
Sleeping pattern adjustments
Sleep is the most disrupted habit for new parents; however, healthy sleep can be adjusted by coordinating with your partner or a newborn care specialist in NYC. Make a scheduled time for naps or shifting nighttime duties. This is one of the highly recommended self-care tips for new mothers.
Fuel and movement
It is crucial to keep a check on light nourishment and hydration. Ensure to include gentle movements (short walks, stretching) for an efficient physical recovery, but remember, don’t exert too much.
Mental rest
Whenever possible, ensure five minutes of relaxation time: deep breathing, close your eyes, and maybe listen to a favorite song. This helps reset your fatigue and mood upliftment. Build little activities that bring you joy.
Step 6: Communicate Clearly and Ask for Help
Do not assume that your loved ones “should know” what to do. This creates unnecessary expectations and chaos. Rather, focusing on building a clear communication channel helps everyone feel supported and aligned.
Be brief in details when you ask
It is always advised to be clear and assertive while asking for any help rather than dropping hints. For example: Instead of “Any chance planning to visit?” try “Could you watch the baby for an hour tomorrow morning while I nap?”
Practice “no” without guilt
Do not feel pressured to host visitors or answer the phone when you can take a nap. Normalize straightforward telling: “We’re not ready for visitors yet: Baby and mother need to rest right now. Thank you for understanding.”
Establish unshakable teamwork with your partner
This is the most effective postpartum care tip for new parents to have transparent and frequent communication with the co-parent. Include frequent check-ins: What’s working? What’s not? Share and ask how you both are feeling? This strengthens you both as a team.
Conclusion: Create Your Circle of Care
Having a postpartum doula support or postpartum support for new parents may sound “nice to have or a fancy privilege,” but it’s a necessity. It is your first step to build a strong foundation for your parenting journey.
Start early, map your needs, gather information, and set up contacts with professionals before the baby arrives. Seeking professional help makes your new parenting journey much more enjoyable, rewarding and memorable.