{"id":4561,"date":"2024-02-28T16:39:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T16:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/?p=4561"},"modified":"2026-09-11T19:27:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T19:27:27","slug":"your-first-week-home-with-baby-ultimate-qa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/letmommysleep.com\/blog\/2024\/02\/28\/your-first-week-home-with-baby-ultimate-qa\/","title":{"rendered":"Your First Week Home with Baby: Ultimate Q&A"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With all the information overload out there for expecting and new parents, our team of Baby Nurses & Night Nannies created this blog, Your First Week Home with Baby: Ultimate Q&A<\/em>. Bookmark this article for evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about postpartum and newborn care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your First Week Home with Baby_ Let Mommy\u2019s Sleep\u2019s Postpartum Recovery & Newborn<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your First Week Home with Baby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What can I do to help myself physically heal after giving birth?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An abdominal binder is a postpartum must-have. Social media would have us believe it’s to get back your “pre-baby body,” but there are actually several important health reasons to use a binder. As Bridgett Miller Dixon, NP notes, In addition to helping with pain -particularly after cesarean birth- they help with internal and external healing by adding compression to the abdomen while improving blood circulation and oxygen levels.<\/strong><\/em> Binders also keep c-section stitches covered, protecting the area while it heals.  They\u2019re easy to find and are priced at about $20-$30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some manufacturers of binders may claim that the products help a postpartum tummy go back to its pre-pregnancy shape, but there\u2019s no evidence<\/a> to support this claim.  While an abdominal binder will help support your lower back and keep you comfortable, exercise and diet are the only ways to get stronger abs…if that’s your goal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the best foods to eat after giving birth? <\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After giving birth, your body needs nutrient-dense foods to heal, recover and support milk production if you\u2019re breastfeeding. Some of the best foods to eat postpartum include: lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs and beans to repair tissue and keep your energy up. Whole grains such as oats, quinoa, and brown rice provide steady energy and fiber to help prevent constipation, which is common after delivery. 

Healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil support hormone balance and brain health. Adding plenty of leafy greens, colorful vegetables, and fruits gives your body essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to aid recovery. Hydration is also key, drink water throughout the day and include soups or broths, which are soothing and replenishing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-made dinners in the freezer and snacks at the ready are key. To take you through the day, here are 7 Power Breakfasts for New Parents<\/a>, packed with nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I know if I have Postpartum Depression (PPD)?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby blues usually last up to 2 weeks and include mood swings, crying, and fatigue. Postpartum depression is more severe and lasts longer. Signs of PPD include feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in your baby, anxiety or thoughts of harm. It’s never wrong to reach out to your doctor in the first 2 weeks. But if symptoms persist beyond 2 weeks or feel overwhelming, reach out to your OB or call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (833-852-6262). PPD is common and treatable.

It\u2019s important to know that mild depression can also <\/a><\/em>happen to non-birthing parents<\/a>. Learn the difference between Baby Blues and PPD here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Am I Supposed to Sleep?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The link between sleep deprivation and postpartum depression has been proven but you can learn how to help by reading Sleep Deprivation and Postpartum Depression: Proven Tips to Help<\/a> Sleep is also recommended to help with post-birth healing, increasing milk production and following safe sleep guidelines for baby. But how the heck are you supposed to get real blocks of sleep when your baby is up every 2-3 hours to feed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 3 ways to get more sleep:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Swap blocks of time or entire nights with your partner<\/strong> – Each parent is in charge of baby\u2019s feeding, diapering and soothing back to sleep for half the night. This ensures that you each get at least 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. If possible, do 2 nights on and 2 nights off to get the deep, restorative sleep that keeps our immune systems strong. If you\u2019re exclusively breastfeeding, simply stay in bed to nurse<\/strong> while your partner does all other care on your \u201coff\u201d night.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Accept Help<\/strong> – This should be obvious but there\u2019s sometimes a guilt factor in accepting help when caring for our newborns. Now is the time to call on your village for a few hours so you can sleep! If your village is too far away or you don\u2019t have one, you can always call a night doula service. If you’d like to learn more, read What’s a Night Nanny?<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Be ready to sleep when it\u2019s time<\/strong> – Resist the urge to scroll! Practice deep breathing if you find it hard to switch off when it\u2019s time to sleep. A dark room that is always used for sleep and white noise can also help you make the transition from awake to asleep.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Your First Week Home with Baby: Feeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    How to know if baby is eating enough first week? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you’ve wondered, how big is a newborn’s stomach<\/a>? you should know a newborn\u2019s stomach is only between the size of a walnut and an apricot in the first week of life. This means that because babies only eat small amounts, they eat frequently! Understanding this helps both breast and bottle-feeding parents understand feeding expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n