Care of Mom & Baby

1. Mom should not be lifting anything heavier than a spoon to her mouth or a baby to her breast. This means bed rest! Take naps—sleep when baby sleeps. Arrange for someone to help out around the house, with meals and with baby. Get plenty of fluids, continue your prenatal vitamins, and eat well! Taking it easy during the first week after birth will make recovery that much faster and easier.


2. Mom's bleeding should be similar to a menstrual period at first. Lochia (discharge) may be bright red for the first few days, gradually lightening in colour and amount over 2-3 weeks. It's normal to pass blood clots up to the size of a small (i.e. mandarin) orange.


3. Temperature for mom should be taken by mouth or underarm once a day or when feeling warm for the first three days. Mom's temperature should range from 35.5°C to 37.2°C. It's normal to have a mild fever when your milk comes in. Baby's temperature should be taken underarm and range from 36.5°C to 37.2°C.


4. Breathing for baby is quite irregular, but should not be laboured. The normal rate is 40-60 breaths per minute during the first 24 hours, then 30-40 breaths per minute thereafter. You will notice periods of quick breathing followed by no breathing, then quick breathing again. This is normal. Call if you notice flaring of the baby's nostrils, grunting with breaths, visible contraction of muscles between the ribs, or any blue spells.


5. Nursing can start right away. Your milk may not come in for a couple of days, but you can bring baby to the breast for colostrom. Baby should be fed on demand, typically every 2-3 hours or more frequently. Always use proper positioning during breastfeeding. If your nipples are sore and cracked, discuss positioning and how to treat your nipples with your midwife or a lactation consultant.


6. You might notice jaundice (noticeable yellow colour to skin and/or whites of eyes) during the first week after birth, but call if you noice jaundice in the first 24 hours. It is very normal for breastfed babies to have jaundice a couple of days after birth. Frequent feeding and mom's hydration will help to resolve it.


7. Poop & Pee. Urinating for mom may sting during the first few days to a week. Use a peribottle (with or without herbs) during or urinate in the shower. Try to urinate every 2-3 hours even without the urge to pee to prevent bladder problems. Bowel movements for mom should resume within 3 days after birth. Eat lots of fibre and drink plenty of fluids to ease stool.
   
   Baby should poop and pee at least once in the first 24 hours. Baby's first poop (meconium) will be black/green and tar-like. This may last until your milk comes in, at which time the poop will become golden yellow like mustard and loose. Breastfed babies can normally go up to a week between bowel movements or go as often as 8-10 times a day. Baby should wet diapers 6-8 times a days.


8. Umbilical cord care involves keeping the cord clean and dry. Fold the diaper under the cord to keep it dry. You may clean the base with a wet cloth or cotton ball with each diaper change. It is not necessary to use alcohol on the cord. The stump will dry and fall off in 5-8 days without any specific care.


9. Sitz bath can be done 1-2 times per day. Simmer 1 handful of dry comfrey root, chamomile flowers and lavender in 1 guart of boiling water for 20 minutes, covered. Strain and add "tea" to bathtub. You can use the same herbs for your peribottle or for a toilet-top sitz bath.

Courtesy Village Health Clinic, Surrey BC

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