What does support and care look like for you?
You deserve support during this important time. People in your life can build on your strengths and help you in many ways. What do you want them to know so they can better understand and care for you? We are here to help you with exploring topics and making plans to meet your goals whether you are a first time mom, or already have children. In this section, you’ll find valuable resources that will help you on your journey to healing, recovery, and wellness after childbirth.
What is a postpartum plan?
A postpartum plan is an outline of support and help that you might like after you give birth. Your postpartum plan is a guide so that you can share your needs and get ready for the days ahead. Sharing ideas with your partner, mom, friends, or family members like your mother-in-law in advance and not alongside baby cries. View all topics.
How can my partner help?
Your partner can provide different types of support. Communicate with your partner to express your needs to them and hear theirs too. Look at each other in the eye and affirm that you are a team. Show your love for each other in the ways you can. View all topics.
How can my family and friends help?
Friends and family can be a great resource. Support from them might mean helping with cooking, changing the sheets, and other chores, or errands. In addition to them being excited to love you baby, they love you and your other children too. View all topics.
What are new parent milestones?
Stress around sleeping through the night is common. It’s hard to cope! On the Infant Sleep Page, we outline that infant night waking is a part of human development. Babies are not little adults – they sleep differently. So moms and partners sleeping in new ways is a parent milestone. The process will be ever-changing, like other aspects of your baby and you. View all topics.
What about my job or school?
Sometimes efforts to get baby to sleep reflect the need for adults to function at work or school. Policy in this country and across the world should change to permit more protected time through the 4th Trimester. In the times of COVID-19, hopefully we are all a little more understanding and supportive of each other. Be clear with your supervisors about what is possible and what isn’t. Hopefully you can work together in ways that enable you and your family to be well. View all topics.
What are some community resources?
There are lots of community resources that can might be helpful. To learn about resources in your community, check out local baby magazines usually available for free at grocery stores, ask your pediatrician, contact your local community center, and ask for advice from other moms on social media. View all topics.
